Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley has admitted he might need a therapist following his side’s troubles in recent weeks.
Whilst his team put up a good fight, they went down 22-14 to Castleford Tigers on Friday night. Speaking to the press after the match, he said the players had given him what they had.
He said: “We asked them to battle hard and make sure they work hard, which are givens in this sport but we’ve obviously had some distractions and not practiced so it probably wasn’t a given. I was very proud, very grateful that the players came together and whilst it wasn’t polished, they tried to cover each other’s backs.”
Paul Rowley was disappointed by the result as well as the mistakes made across the field. He did praise the efforts of his team, despite having zero training this week.
He added: “We were always going to make mistakes defensively and offensively as well but try and find a way through hard work. I thought they did that so I’m very grateful to the lads for coming together in the manner that they did.
“I’m totally disappointed about the result obviously, as are the players. Ultimately, that’s what we’re here for. We’ll go and lick our wounds and try and rebuild the team if you like and see what shape we’re in. Next week’s a new week.”
In response to whether he’s been more of a counsellor than a coach this week, he said: “Not really because I haven’t really seen them. I think I’ve needed a therapist or something.”
The one positive from the game is that Rowley’s side seems to have come through unscathed in the injury department. As it stands, they will play the same 17 against Bradford Bulls in the Challenge Cup but Rowley hopes it’s not the case.
Salford coach Paul Rowley said they’re sticking together as a team but also as a club. He finished: “We’re a connected club from top to bottom and I think you can feel that. You could feel it today from the terraces to the field.”
