Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lam still believes his side can make a charge to the top of the table this season despite their poor league start.
Lam’s Leigh are one of five teams to be joint-bottom of the table, having picked up two wins from their opening seven matches.
Defeating Leeds on the opening weekend and then scraping a one-point victory over Toulouse, results haven’t been up to the required standard for the Leopards in the opening quarter of 2026, but with a number of players coming back from injury it brings new hope that the club can now push on.
The majority of the injured players are expected to be back over the next two to three weeks, including Bailey Hodgson and Umyla Hanley who have been big misses for the club this year.
Albeit in defeat, a much-improved performance from Leigh in the Challenge Cup game against Warrington gave Lam some positive signs that the club can turn their season around.
It is also worth noting that the Leopards are only six points off top spot, so whilst on paper they are down at the bottom, a few wins in a row could see them quickly climb to where they want to be in 2026.
Speaking to the press earlier this week, Lam has no doubt his side can reach the heights that they were expected to in the pre-season.
Asked about managing the club’s expectations, given where they are now compared to their top four finish last season, the boss replied:
“It’s one of the first things I ever said as a coach when I arrived at the club is I want our fans to expect that we’re going to play well and do well and be in finals and big games and [be] there at the end of the season.
“We’ve got them in that expectation now, so if there’s anyone out there complaining, that’s what we’ve earned. We’ve earned the right to be considered as a team that is successful.
“The last couple of years, Challenge Cup win, quarterfinals of Challenge Cup, fifth, fourth, third in Super League, we’re still heading in the right direction.
“I still feel strongly that we can finish in the top two. That hasn’t been in doubt in my mind.
“I know it’s going to take a mighty effort, but when we get there I’m not going to be surprised by that, but there’s a lot of hard work to do.”
Leigh Leopards boss sets out ‘top two’ target for Super League 2026
Leigh, like a lot of teams in Super League this season, have had their fair share of injuries to deal with. But, as he has done all year, Lam refuses to use that as an excuse, however does believe the side will be better for it going into the remainder of the season.
“We’ve had a little bit of bad luck go against us,” he added. “For me, the belief is still there within me and the squad and the group and the board.
“Everyone’s working hard on every opportunity that we can. Whilst we’re hurting at times, there’s an underlying belief and trust in each other.
“We get an opportunity to respond from the Super League, getting knocked out of the Challenge Cup last week.
“I thought our efforts were right on where they need to be. A little bit of game smarts and game sense gets us a win there.
“Having said that, I want them to mirror that this week and then find 10% to be better each week as we progress into the Super League season.”
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