[INTERVIEW] Simon Grix on Widnes Game

[INTERVIEW] Simon Grix on Widnes Game

Halifax, WEST YORKSHIRE — The Halifax Panthers are living a dichotomy. Right now they are 9 wins on the bounce and are 3rd in the table. They have beaten some of the best teams in the Betfred Championship including Bradford Bulls and Batley Bulldogs…but Head Coach, Simon Grix isn’t smiling.

Some could argue that the results are all that matter. For Grix, the level of play still isn’t where it needs to be. Perhaps it’s this striving for perfection that has got the Panthers to where they currently are. We asked Simon Grix for his thoughts on the upcoming Widnes game and the update on injuries.

The forced week off has been great for me personally getting my head away from the performance side of things. I’m sure the playing group have enjoyed the chance to recharge and now we will get back in and refocus for the run in, starting with Widnes away.

Our last meet saw a close contest decided by a drop goal in monsoon like conditions. It was a bruising game as both played pretty direct due to the conditions. We wouldn’t of complained had we lost that game as both teams put in a great effort but we came up with an ugly win and we have got used to taking them.

This game will be a lot different. Widnes’ pitch allows for a fast flowing game and they play an expansive style to complement it. Their kicking game has been great all year, Craven and Smith can swing the momentum of a game at any given time. They have threats on both edges with Owens linking them well, so maintaining our effort areas is something we will need to focus on. For us it is continuing where we left off in the Newcastle game, letting the ball go and challenging Widnes to back up their efforts, we just need to be more clinical and really make sure we concentrate and execute our roles. All teams play very similar, the difference between those that rack up a score and those that scrape home is often the detail and our attention to it hasn’t been where it needs to be. This will be our focus.

In terms of selection, we have a number missing, Tangata and Larroyer through suspension, Robinson through isolation and GRTP Protocol. Around that, we have numerous bodies we need to check on with regards to the knocks they are carrying and make a call on their availability later in the week. Regardless of the team that takes the field, we have set standards within our group that have become the norm, therefore we will go out there, confident, and enjoy the contest.

– Simon Grix

You may also like…