Holbrook Won’t Panic As Saints Seek Consistency

Last week’s reverse at Huddersfield was a setback as his side look to close the gap to the top four.

It means Friday’s game with Salford is crucial as Saints enter a tough fixture period.

“I can’t panic,” he said. “I can only judge on the last five weeks since I arrived here. Whilst Friday was definitely unacceptable I don’t think wholesale changes are the answer. All 17 need to play better this Friday, that is obvious, but I don’t think anyone deserves not to be there based on last Friday’s game.

“As a team, all in all, it was disappointing to lose, but up until three or four minutes to go we had a chance to win that game had we pulled out something. It is a fine line winning and losing; to make it as hard as we did last week and nearly have the chance to win, that is the positive we can take out of it.”

Saints are relatively healthy heading into the match with Salford, with only Ryan Morgan missing out with a knee injury.

“We got some really good news on him,” Holbrook added. “It was nowhere near as bad as we thought. He may only miss one game, which is fantastic news. He hurt his knee and it looked pretty bad at the time but it ended up a really good result for us and he won’t be out too long.

“Salford are coming off a great win last week and I’m sure they will be pretty happy with that. For us we need to play well. We are aware of their talent; they sit second and are a very good team. But the focus has to be on getting our own game in order.

“It is probably better for us to play four of the five top sides now. Everyone looks forward to playing in the harder gamse and they are all in a row for us now.

“I think that is a good thing. It tests where you are at and if you’re good enough you will beat them – and if not, you won’t.

“It will be good for us and we are looking forward to it.”

Tickets for Friday’s game are now on sale from the Ticket Office at the Totally Wicked Stadium, by calling 01744 455 052 or online here.