Paul Cooke: Win showed Hull KR players believe in Craig Sandercock
CREDIT must go to Hull KR coach Craig Sandercock and his team for the way they bounced back to beat Warrington last weekend.
Having been so poor when losing at Salford a week earlier, the coach needed his players to come out and produce their best, and that they did.
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Together: Hull KR players celebrate their win over Warrington.
After the Salford loss, questions were starting to be asked as to whether Sandercock had lost the dressing room at KR.
Once any coach loses the players in the dressing rooms he's a walking time bomb, and I've seen this happen at clubs first hand.
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However, there is no question the KR players believe in Sandercock's methods, last weekend proved that.
They must have trust in the coach, and until this changes, everyone should back the guy to get the results the Robins need.
For me there is no question over Sandercock's ability to structure his team to score points.
Defence on the other hand has been a big issue so far this season, but, as I said last week, the coach can only set the defensive patterns, and cannot coach attitude and desire into the players.
He can get the players into positions defensively, but unfortunately cannot make the tackles for them.
He can coach them technique, different tackle techniques, warn the players what to expect from different players and teams, and educate his team pre-game, but unless he throws on a shirt he's powerless when the whistle blows for kick-off.
Thankfully, last weekend we also saw that the KR players care a great deal about their performances.
And when they are well-equipped with key players on the field in their key positions, they can beat the best sides in the league.
Undoubtedly, the debut of Travis Burns and a few changes to the Salford team re-energised the Robins.
It gave the players some much-needed confidence and they look more balanced.
Burns will take a little time to settle into the team, but early signs are good, and keeping him and skipper Michael Dobson fit is now key to a successful season. Alex Brown looked strong on his debut, and George Griffin gave the team extra enthusiasm off the bench.
To a man, the Red and Whites' players answered their critics, me included, and all should be applauded for this.
Sandercock has always been adamant that when his team is fit they will take some stopping, backing it up is the newest challenge for them.
And that is a challenge I think they will meet. Because, much to the dismay of the KR faithful, I'm tipping a Robins win by eight points at London.
6 Comments
by hkrarmy
Saturday, March 09 2013, 10:40PM
“well done rovers we needed a good performance to prove last weeks win was not a one off, another tough one next week.some great efforts tonight dobbo and patterson were excellent eden very good again(still a couple of mad moments but they keep us on our toes) big minutes from the solid george griffin but a big rap for keal carlile playing the full 80 if i remember coorrectly .our defence looks a lot more structured than earlier in the year.”
by Not_Mongrels
Saturday, March 09 2013, 9:01PM
“Well done Rovers, backed up lasts weeks sensational win.
Above the Darkside again......Superb....
FC have a rampant Giants next week, a bit different from a weak and poor Cas side who did not even try to put an effort in, they were a disgrace to their supporters....”
by Ricksinn
Saturday, March 09 2013, 8:30PM
“Gutsy performance for the Robins, blew London away and took the pedal of the gas in the 2nd half to preserve for next week, a win was never in any doubt, Rovers would have blown away anyone in the first 40.Top point scorers in super league, get the defense right and we could make top 6
Well done CS and the mighty Rovers...
Are we still above the darkside... Yes we are”
by kevsguitar
Saturday, March 09 2013, 1:49PM
“I've said many times - Galea and McDonnell are great against the weaker sides or when you're on top. It's just that they go awol when their backs are against the wall. When the going gets tough some players pick the games they want to play in!!!!
Watts is fantastic, but unfortunately has a habit of falling out with people...... time will tell.”
by Dr_Slammer
Saturday, March 09 2013, 12:09PM
“I like Cookies input. He can be controversial but mainly he is constructive with his comments, in particular, those expressed in the Seymour article.
Cookie mentions the systems and structures CS has introduced to 'his' team, and based on the warry win it does suggest that the players demonstrated trust in those systems and structures. However, for me, and most of all (for the first time this season) the players showed trust in each other. When that box is ticked you know there is something special happening.
I said it before the season started their is something special about CS's team, and I truely hope they can use the warry win to push on now. It might still take a few more games (injuries/ban problems) but a win today will certainly be another positive step forward. Come on Rovers!”
by kevsguitar
Saturday, March 09 2013, 10:58AM
“There are no easy games in SL anymore - it's just that some are harder than others. Last week was great but to be fair, if we had lost it wouldnt have dampened our spirits too much. However, tonight we all expect to win. Lose this one and everyone of us will be deflated!
Come on Rovers - prove that we can do it in front of the camaras!”