Salford RLFC boss Dave Hewitt has praised the “unbelievable” contribution of fans after the team’s recent run of positive form.
Salford have enjoyed a good upturn in form at home, with their last home game being a closely fought contest in which a Leon Hayes drop goal secured victory against the Batley Bulldogs.
The team will look to replicate a similar performance as they take on a Widnes side currently sitting in fifth place. Widnes come into the game after battering the Halifax Panthers 54–0 in their last outing, so it will be a tough challenge for Salford.
Speaking ahead of the match, Hewitt mentioned how key the fans have been and said their support will be important for the team. He described the fans and the atmosphere as “unbelievable in terms of being an 18th man”, having seen them help the team beat local rivals Swinton Lions and Batley Bulldogs in games where the supporters carried them over the line.
Hewitt has acknowledged how big a challenge the game will be, describing Widnes as an experienced side with a “great group of lads who have played a lot of Championship games and are striving for the top four”.
However, his team feels up to the challenge, with Hewitt saying they need to “Concentrate on themselves and concentrate on the performances that they have been building.”
Hewitt has been preparing his side for the challenge against a tough opponent, mentioning that the team will focus on
“Essential opportunities where they can get them, but the main focus is giving a full eighty-minute performance on Sunday.”
The team has improved under Hewitt and, despite a few shaky results, Salford’s home form has improved significantly, which could prove to be a major factor in Sunday’s game against Widnes.
Hewitt also touched on the standards he has been setting, which have been key to the upturn in form his side has shown. He said team has been focusing on “high pass completion” as well as going “set for set with teams” as they continue building towards stronger performances.
“The little things right in terms of what they’ve been building, it will give them the opportunity to win on Sunday,” he said.
Hewitt was also vocal in the press about making sure his side takes the opportunities presented to them during games, adding: “You don’t get many opportunities in this division, but when the opportunity is there, you need to make sure you take them.”
It is set to be a tight game, with a win potentially taking Salford up to 14th place in the league. Meanwhile, a victory for Widnes could see them climb to second place behind the league-leading London Broncos.
Hewitt will hope the crowd gets behind the team, as they have done all season, to roar Salford on to another home victory that could prove crucial in their climb up the league table.
