Richard Knight has challenged his Underbank squad to start playing like one capable of securing promotion from Division II of the National Conference League.
Although newly-promoted Rangers are currently fifth in the Second Division table with five wins from their opening eight fixtures, head coach Knight remains far from convinced his players have what it takes to mount a genuine title challenge.
That’s something he’s told his players ahead of tonight’s eagerly-awaited awaited Yorkshire derby clash against second-placed Featherstone Lions at The Cross (7.30pm).
And he’s hoping they respond by proving him wrong.
“We always enjoy playing Featherstone at our place on a Friday night,” said Knight.
“We’ve developed a very good rivalry with them over the past few seasons, and I’m hoping the Friday night atmosphere and the challenge of playing such a good side will bring the very best out of everyone.
“Although we’ve not made too bad a start to our first season at this level, I’m still not convinced by what I’m seeing. At the start of the year, we set ourselves a goal of securing another promotion, and I’m just not convinced we can do that at the moment.
“I’ve told that to the players – I think the problem is a mental things as much as anything – and I hope to see them go out and prove me wrong. A good all-round performances against Featherstone tonight would help them prove a point to me.
“There are some players who have shown throughout the season they are up to the task, both in terms of the way they train as well as play. They are Dave Valentine, Kris Harrop and Alex Chatterton.
“It’s obviously going to take more than these three to lead us to a promotion.
“But if the rest of the squad can follow their lead and show the same sort of mental application to the challenges ahead, then I know we are good enough to take the next step up.
Knight has a relatively strong squad at his disposal for this evening kick-off.
But he does have two key absentees in hooker Andy Boothroyd and current replacement Paul Horsfall.
And Knight admits there’s some concern over Boothroyd.
“Paul’s got a hamstring tear and could be back in two weeks,” added the coach.
“But Boothy’s had his shoulder problem for a couple of months now and he’s still nowhere near right.
“The longer it goes on, the more it looks like he’ll have to undergo surgery. If that’s the case, then that’s it for his season.”
