UNDERBANK Rangers coach Richard Knight wants his team to bounce back to winning ways when his side travels to Liverpool to play the Buccaneers in tomorrow’s Co-operative Conference National clash.
The Holmfirth-based club’s strong start to the season came to an abrupt halt with last Saturday’s heavy 40-16 defeat to the Nottingham Outlaws, and Rangers dropped to fourth place in the table behind the Outlaws.
Rangers travel across the Pennines to face a Liverpool side lying in mid-table with two wins from their five games.
Their recent form is good with a 32-0 win at Warrington preceding a one point home defeat by the Outlaws.
“After a disappointing loss last week to Nottingham we are looking to bounce back immediately at Liverpool,” said Knight.
“I’m looking for us not only to take the three points, but also to put in a much improved performance for the both individuals and the team as a whole.”
Knight remains upbeat about the mood in the camp and the young coach has no doubts that his side have more than enough to beat the Buccaneers.
Knight added: “This week we have trained twice ahead of what I think will be another test for us and we will have to be at our best to come away with the three points. The players have done all that has been asked of them at training.
“Myself and Darren Turner (Knight’s assistant) have been more than impressed with their attitude to put things right.
“The boys let themselves down badly last week so they have been working really hard this week to right a few wrongs.
“We have had 28 players at training this week, all fighting for a shirt, which is awesome from my point of view and keeps those players who were in the seventeen last weekend well and truly on their guard to keep their spots”.
Rangers do have injury doubts and Knight said: “Unfortunately this week our captain, and most consistent performer, Tom Senior is injured (thumb and elbow), which will leave a big gap to fill as ‘Brick’ always leads from the front.
“There are also doubts about centre Lee St Hilaire, who has a slight niggle and will undergo a last minute test to check his fitness.”
Spectators are reminded that the coach leaves Underbank at 11.15am for the trip to Merseyside.
