Peet Previews Castleford
- Head Coach Matt Peet spoke to the press ahead of Friday’s visit to Castleford.
- Peet: “We are aware that they bring a massive challenge.”
- Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors, Friday 3rd March, 8pm K.O.
Matt Peet says that Friday’s game will be a challenging one, as they head to The Mend-A-Hose Jungle to face off against Castleford Tigers.
The Warriors will be looking to build on the back of a comprehensive 60-0 home victory over Wakefield Trinity in Round 2, at a venue in Castleford that traditionally boasts an atmosphere of hostility for visiting teams.
“As much as it’s a challenge, its a fantastic place to go and play” said Peet, “It’s a challenge and hopefully that’s what the players play it for. What players want is that intensity in the ground, that noise and rivalry make it an atmosphere.”
Peet’s men were able to bounce back from their Round 1 loss with a victory, opponents Castleford succumbed to back-to-back defeats leaving them winless in their first two games.
“They’ll know at sometime it will turn for them. They’ll be confident that they’ll begin to execute chances properly, they’ve got that quality and experience that they will start winning games at some point.
“Although the result didn’t go their way (against St Helens), there were lots of threats. We are aware that they bring a massive challenge.”
The squad trained off-site away from Robin Park Arena at amateur club Shevington Sharks on Tuesday morning. On training at a different venue, Peet said: “I think we try and respond the same – win, lose or draw. We look analytically and look at where we can improve.
“When you’re preparing for an away game it takes you way from familiar surroundings. We try to train out in the Community a bit more like we did last year and tomorrow we’ll be in early to train under the floodlights.”
Following an opening round loss away at Hull KR, Peet opted to rotate his squad with the inclusion of Willie Isa and Brad Singleton back in the starting 13 and with a resounding 60-0 victory that followed, he says that bouncing back and hitting early season form can help the squad improve.
“I think it’s part of building momentum” he said, “I think it can build confidence. I also think peaking at the right time is important and I think the best way to do that is thinking about the process each week.”
Utility forward Joe Shorrocks today joined Leigh Leopards on an initial two-week loan, with Matt Peet saying: “He needs to play and he deserves to play. He’s trained really and well and he’s a player I rate highly. There will be times in the year we need Joe and we know he’ll be looked after at Leigh.”
