Barrie McDermott suggests that Warrington were “dragged down” by atmosphere at home games

Last night Warrington Wolves battled back from 20-6 behind to beat Salford Red Devils 36-20 in an example of the new character and culture at the club.

This was the assessment of Barrie McDermott who said on Sky:

“Signs of good character from Warrington. Behind at halftime but in the second half they blasted their opposition playing to their strengths. They looked very good.

“Before the game Daryl Powell said he didn’t want to talk about last year, it’s not about 2022. Well I will tell you what, in 2022 they would have lost that game.”

He added that they are no longer one dimensional:

“They learnt in the game itself. They have shown that they have a plan B. In the past if plan A failed they’d fall to pieces. They have shown that they can use different tools.”

He also suggested that the fans helped keep them alive whilst saying that last year the situation meant that the fans were dragging them down but now the situation at the club is different:

“I will tell you what I noticed today, it is great when you have a good home atmosphere. When you’re a side playing well, the crowd pushes and drives them forward, if not it can drag them down.

“There were reminders of last year but the crowd stuck with them.”

Meanwhile Jamie Jones-Buchanan praised Daryl Powell for getting rid of the demons that would have likely accumulated at halftime:

“He got rid of the demons that manifested in the minds of his players at halftime after last year.

“The best way is to respond like they did. The momentum in the mind goes a long way.

“Salford didn’t play the same in the second half, there were a few moments from their players like the sin bin from Ryan Brierley which cost them.”

McDermott meanwhile praised the defensive focus of George Williams who after the game said that was the key for the Wolves:

“Each team provides a real challenge, they adapted well. I like that George Williams is focused on defence, defence wins you games.”