Salford Red Devils v Wakefield Trinity - Chris Chester eager for response following derby defeat

Salford Red Devils will still provide Wakefield Trinity with a stern test on Sunday afternoon, despite a slow start to the Super League campaign.
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That is the view of Trinity chief Chris Chester who will be after a response from his squad following their 32-15 defeat at Castleford Tigers last Friday.

The Red Devils have lost to St Helens, Huddersfield Giants and Leeds Rhinos this term while their only victory came against winless Toronto Wolfpack.

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Ian Watson’s side lost 2019 Man of Steel Jackson Hastings at the end of last campaign after the Australian departed for Wigan Warriors.

Wakefield Trinity head coach Chris Chester. PIC: Allan McKenzie\SWpix.com.Wakefield Trinity head coach Chris Chester. PIC: Allan McKenzie\SWpix.com.
Wakefield Trinity head coach Chris Chester. PIC: Allan McKenzie\SWpix.com.

But Chester is not expecting anything to come easy for his side in Greater Manchester on Sunday afternoon.

“They have still got a really good work ethic. I think that is one thing they have got in abundance, they want to work hard,” said Chester.

“They don’t want to let their teammates down and you can see that from all their performances this year.

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“They have got a new spine, a new team and brought in a lot of new players.

“There are some players we know a bit about, it is going to take a bit of time for Watto [Ian Watson], especially when you take Jackson Hastings out of the team.

“But they are a very tough team to beat on their own pitch.”

The good feeling surrounding Trinity’s win over Warrington Wolves just under two weeks ago quickly evaporated at Wheldon Road on Friday.

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Chester’s side were 15-14 ahead at the interval but failed to register a point in the second half as Castleford ran out winners.

Romain Navarrete and James Batchelor were both sin-binned after half time, leaving Wakefield with 12 men for 20 minutes .

“The amount of errors we made in the second half was ridiculous,” reflected Chester.

“We have got to deal with adversity better, when we lose momentum we need to find ways to get it back.

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“The only way to do that is by playing error-free footy and being a disciplined side.

"When you are down to 12 men, theoretically you have only got to defend five sets and you have the ball for five sets.

“If you defend for five sets and control the ball for five sets then you are back to your full complement.

“We played 20 minutes with 12 men and that is not good enough, that is not acceptable.

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"It was the one thing we spoke all week about, especially on a pitch that is so short like Castleford.

“You give a penalty away and then two or three tackles later you find yourself defending your own tryline.”