Lingard ready for the challenge ahead at Warrington this Friday

This Friday, Sheffield Eagles face Warrington Wolves in a Betfred Challenge Cup 3rd round tie over at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, and head coach Craig Lingard is confident that his side can build upon the foundations they have set so far in the season.

He said, “We’re probably not going to come up against as good a team as Warrington this year, you would not have thought in the Championship.

“So, it's great to see where we are, we think we’re in a half-decent position at this moment in time with the new squad that we’ve got, we’re still a long way off where we need to be. But I think with the progress that we have made since day one of pre-season to where we are now, and to have two wins on the board, even if we’re not particularly clicking yet, it’s a really good position to be in.

“But we’re playing against a world-class Warrington side, and it’s going to be great to see where we are as individuals, where we are as a collective group, to see where we need to improve.”

After two victories in their last two fixtures, a win in Cumbria in their season opener against Whitehaven, and another against Whitehaven once more in their 2nd round Challenge Cup tie at home over a week ago, the Eagles are progressing smoothly so far. But having no fixture to play last weekend may have knocked their momentum just before their big game this Friday.

“It's disappointing to have that weekend off so early in the season, particularly after two back-to-back victories,” said Lingard.

“I know we can’t pick and choose when we have our weekends off but having it on week 2 of the season is not ideal.

“But it's been nice for the lads to have some time away with their families for that weekend, now it's back to hard work this week for a tough test this Friday night.”

Although they’ve started their season off with a two-game win streak so far, there are still errors in their performances that Lingard will be hoping to fix across the duration of their campaign. But a game against a top side like Warrington might be just what they need to see the elements of their game that need improvement ahead of their season.

Speaking on how his squad have impressed him so far, Lingard stated, “I think I’m more pleased with the attitude rather than the connectivity in attack; it’s looking a bit scratchy at times.

“But the attitude towards defence and the application they’ve got for working hard for each other and defending their own goal line at times, we have conceded two tries this season in both games and no tries in the second half, which is pleasing.

“It just shows that the fitness and the conditioning have been there throughout that pre-season that we’ve done.

“So, it’s going to be a different challenge this week against Warrington, but hopefully it’s something that we can take and build onto our league campaign after that.”

In their last two successful fixtures, the Eagles have gone with an unchanged 17-man squad, which gives Lingard a choice of whether he will stick to his winning side or make changes in anticipation of Friday, a choice which he will not be taking lightly.

“I’m always one who wants to reward people if they’re playing well and the team's winning," remarked Lingard.

“It's important that the players keep their shirts and the value and respect of their shirts. It's not something you want to give away just for the sake of it, and people have to earn those shirts to get in.”

“There will be at least one change this week. Jack Bussey is going to be out for a few weeks. He got a bicep injury in the first cup game of the season, so it’s disappointing for Jack to be out, but it gives an opportunity now for someone else to come in and state their claim.”

Warrington have managed an appearance in the last two Challenge Cup finals, losing 6-8 to last year's treble winners Hull Kingston Rovers last season and also losing 8-18 to Wigan Warriors the year prior. With a side as prolific and consistent in the Challenge Cup as this, Lingard hopes his players can learn and improve from the strong opponents in front of them.

When commenting on what he notices from Warrington’s squad, Lingard said, “Tough physicality, speed, a real aggressive pack, outside edges that have got some speed and agility about them, and obviously world-class half-backs as well.”

“You look for some weaknesses in their team, and there aren’t too many. So, it’s going to be great for our guys to pit their wits against them and see where they are in relation to their game.”