Powell: We can improve on opening match
Coach Daryl Powell (pictured) insists Featherstone Rovers can improve on last Sunday’s impressive display against Leigh Centurions.
Rovers made a great start to their Championship campaign by trouncing one of their main title rivals but Powell says there is more to come from his side.
“I thought we were very good in lots of areas but some aspects of our defensive performance we can improve and obviously with the ball we will get a bit more fluent as we get going,” said the Rovers boss.
“We made a few errors in good attacking positions that we want to iron out.
“Although we conceded only one try, there are a couple of areas in defence I think we can look at.”
Powell expects a difficult task in Sunday evening’s game at Dewsbury Rams who made a successful start under their new coach Glenn Morrison by winning at Doncaster last weekend.
“Its tough playing everywhere in the Championship especially if you don’t go with the right mindset,” he added.
“ We are aware of that and we know what consistency is all about. We’ve been pretty good at that over the last few years.
“We recognise Dewsbury have got a different coaching team which changes things a bit.
“We’ve generally known how Dewsbury are going to play over the last few years under Warren Jowitt but now they’ve got Glenn Morrison and that will be a different challenge to us.”
Featherstone’s line-up on Sunday is set to include ex-Dewsbury players Steve Crossley, Andy Bostock, Anthony England, James Lockwood and Liam Finn.
“We’ve signed some good players from Dewsbury and I feel we’ve made them better players by being at Featherstone Rovers,” said Powell.
Rovers could have hooker Ben Kaye back for Sunday’s game after he missed the win against Leigh.
Prop England sustained a twisted knee injury against the Centurions but he is likely to be fit.
“I don’t think there will be too many changes on Sunday. There may be one or two,” said Powell.
Tim Spears is set make his comeback after a shoulder operation in next Wednesday evening’s under 20s friendly against York City Knights at Big Fellas Stadium.
Sam Smeaton (knee) is around five weeks away from returning and Mick Haley (broken foot) is two to three weeks away.
Powell was pleased with Jonny Hepworth’s display at full-back against Leigh.
He said: “I didn’t think Jonny was at his best in the pre-season game at Castleford. He made a lot of errors and looked hesitant. I had a chat with him and he’s responded in a great way. I thought he was excellent at full-back last Sunday and Ian Hardman was outstanding in the centres. Ian’s preferred position is full-back but at the moment the team needs him in the centres and he’s doing a great job there.”
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Weather for Wakefield
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
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