“Clear areas to build on” – Wigan Warriors looking to respond after Leeds Rhinos loss as Peet preview Salford

Wigan Warriors have “some clear areas to build on” after suffering defeat to Leeds Rhinos, head coach Matt Peet has argued, with the Wigan boss also speaking on the “horrible” situation at Salford.

Peet’s side host Salford this afternoon with the Red Devils only able to name a 17-man squad, two of whom are new loanees whilst another three are academy players.

Paul Rowley had also spoken earlier in the week when confirming that he had just 15 available to reveal that three of those 15 would require pain-killing injections to play.

Injuries and the restricted salary cap, amidst an apparent lack of immediate funding from their new ownership group, have caused Salford all sorts of problems and Wigan’s boss was asked about the Red Devils ahead of this clash.

“I feel for everyone associated with the club as the uncertainty must be horrible,” he confirmed to club media.

“The game is a separate thing. Salford will come to compete and we have to prepare to play improved rugby. Aside from that, everyone wants to see Salford come out at the other side of it.”

“Some clear areas to build on” – Wigan Warriors looking to respond after Leeds Rhinos loss

As well as looking forward, there was also time to look back with Peet reflecting on the loss to Leeds Rhinos at Headingley and the Wigan Warriors boss outlined where his side must improve.

He said: “Regardless of the result we’d want to improve and from Leeds there are some clear areas to build on. Mainly fundamentals of the game, nothing too complicated. We thought our defence could have been better in some areas of the first half, and with the ball a little bit more patient and composed.”

There was also a major injury update that hooker Brad O’Neill will return with the youngster set to build up his minutes after his lengthy lay-off.

“[Brad] will play this week,” Peet confirmed, adding: “He’s just trained, he’s buzzing, and his enthusiasm is one of the things we love about him.

“There’s been a bit of having to hold him back during his recovery, but you’d rather have that than the other way. It’ll be a case of building his minutes up.”

Elsewhere in the backs, there was an update on Abbas Miski and Jai Field, the latter of whom has since signed a new deal.

Peet confirmed: “Abbas won’t play, we’ll know more next week. We thought giving him a couple of weeks could benefit him. On Jai we’ll see how he pulls through in training.”