Nothing will be taken lightly by Salford City Reds when they entertain Hull FC on Saturday, insists interim head coach Alan Hunte.
The Reds suffered a heavy defeat at Widnes Vikings last week, just nine days after toppling the then Super League-leaders Huddersfield Giants.
But although the Black and Whites have lost to both Huddersfield and rivals Hull KR this season – the only other team Salford have beaten – Hunte insists his side have done their homework.
“Every game’s a tricky game,” he told MM. “There really aren’t any easy ties in Super League before they’re played.
“Nobody could have picked some of the recent scorelines, especially over Easter, but in general there’s been a few so-called lesser teams picking up big results.
“Castleford against Leeds, Widnes against Warrington and us against Huddersfield.
“It’s really hard to underestimate anybody, you’ve just got to prepare to the best of your ability.”
Hunte admits he has been viewing footage of Hull, looking at their consistent strengths and trying to come up with some solutions to nullify them.
Salford are set to welcome back centre Martin Gleeson after a calf injury, while latest signing Jacob Emmit – who arrived from Castleford last week – is set to make his debut.
The Reds will be without loan-signing Lee Gaskell, who picked up a quadriceps strain in last week’s defeat, joining Vic Mauro, Lee Jewitt and Shannon McPherson on the sidelines.
But despite the depleted squad, Hunte – who took over first-team coaching in the wake of Phil Veivers’ dismissal – believes his squad posses the quality to turn the Airlie Birds over.
“It’s well documented where we are as a club,” he added. “It’s been a tough time.
“We haven’t got the strength in depth but we do have some quality and we’re hoping to have some of it back on the field.
“We’re just preparing the fit guys that we’ve got to hopefully do the job against Hull.”
Image courtesy of Yentonian Carlos, via YouTube, with thanks.
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