North Wales Crusaders head coach Carl Forster is expecting a tough test for his side when they travel to face Keighley Cougars in Betfred League One this Sunday.
Crusaders returned to the top of Betfred League One last weekend with a resounding 74-0 victory over Newcastle Thunder, but as the season heats up there’s little time to get carried away with the victory as a trip to Cougar Park awaits this Sunday.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, North Wales head coach Carl Forster said: “Firstly, I have to praise the boys for the win at the weekend.
“We changed a few positions, brought the likes of Toby Hughes and Jack Holmes into the squad who have waited patiently to get their chance, and they’ve given me a real selection headache for this week given how well they played – but, as a coach, that’s what you want.”
Looking at Sunday’s opponents, Keighley Cougars, Forster said: “Keighley are a strange one this season, they’ve spent big and I think everyone had them down as favourites for the league this year, so to be sat near the bottom of the division without a win after seven games is probably a surprise to everybody.
“That being said, I think you have to discount their league position, we know they have the quality in their squad and should be capable of going on an unbeaten run and quickly climb up the league, I wouldn’t be surprised to still see them in the top four come the end of the season.
“On that basis, that’s how we’ll approach the game, as if it’s a top of the table clash, because we’ll prepare for them at their best rather than looking at the league table.
“I’ve been in their position during my first season here, we lost our first seven games, got a win under our belts, the confidence came and then we went on a run to reach the play-off final – that’s just how quickly things can change in sport.
“They’ve rested a few of their key players last week, I’m sure than Alan Kilshaw has done that for a reason, and that in some ways we’ll go there this weekend with a target on our backs.
“They’ll see us sat top of the league and think this is the perfect opportunity to get their season started, so we have to be wise to it.”
Focusing on his own side, Forster added: “We’re still missing some key players, we’ve got Ben Evans, Jake Spedding and Liam Cooper all out for at least the next few weeks, and that’s three big players for us.
“That being said, every time a player gets an opportunity this season, they’re taking it.
“I think it goes to show to competition for places within the squad, and just how healthy it is, if you get the call to come into the team then you know that you have to perform or the shirt isn’t yours the following week – it’s a brilliant place to be.”