THE battle for our lads to nail down a place in the matchday squad will continue this Sunday against Widnes Vikings.
Head coach Stuart Littler has laid down the gauntlet to his players as they look to nail down their place in the squad.
The game on January 22 (3pm kick off) provides a perfect opportunity to do just that, with Stu promising everybody game time and a chance to impress.
Said Stu:
“I’m expecting the boys to stand up and fight for positions within the team. Everybody will get a fair crack of the whip, but whichever way we look at it 27 doesn’t fit into 17.
“It’s up to the lads, now, to compete and win those jerseys come week one. Once you get hold of the jersey, somebody has got to take it off you - so the battle is now on for the starting positions.
“From day one of pre-season, everything has been watched by the coaching and performance staff and we’ve also used video analysis to look at things afterwards.”
Over the coming weeks, there will be some tough conversations between Stu and those not picked, but he says honesty is the best policy.
Added Stu:
“I’m open and honest with everybody. I don’t hide from anything - never have, never will. I try to be honest with every player and tell them why somebody has got in front of them.
“I will talk to the player, so they know what they need to be doing to try to get the position back - as a player that’s all I’d have asked for from my coaches.
“In picking the team, I speak to all my staff. It’s not me versus anybody, it’s us all - as well as the players. Indirectly the players pick the team themselves with the performances they show.
“We’re a club that’s built around working hard so we need to see that day in, day out. We have to work hard for whatever we get.”
A reminder that tickets are still available for the game against Widnes and can be purchased at our ticketing page.
Admission prices are £12 for adults, £3 for students and FREE for under 16s, with a transfer to seats costing £1.
Match-day hospitality is also available at £30 per head. Please call the office on 07904 898177 or email enquiries@roughyeds.co.uk to book.
Fans will be able to pay on the day for both this fixture and the Law Cup clash against Rochdale Hornets.
