Daniel Anderson Column: Attitude was key to cup triumph

10:30am Thursday 15th May 2008

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WE now know we'll travel to Hull KR in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, and it is no surprise to me that we have got an away draw. I thought there was more chance of me winning the Lottery than going back to Australia with a perfect cup record of nine home draws in a row!

Any of the remaining Super League clubs in the draw would have been nasty away from home, Craven Park is an intimidating venue, but so is Belle Vue - where it seemed as though the fans were running behind the players when Wakefield beat us last year - and then Leeds, Wigan, Hull or Bradford would all have been tough tests.

I also believe that when our name came out of the hat Hull KR would have been anxious, because we are no mugs.

Meanwhile, I would like to congratulate the 17 players who represented Saints last weekend against Warrington in the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

I know it was not our most fluent or relaxed performance. Indeed, it was a performance that had many errors in regards to our technical and tactical execution, but Warrington showed up and played for 80 minutes.

The attitude, determination and will-to-win and progress in the cup was outstanding and it is the main reason for us being in the hat for the quarter-finals.

• FROM an emotional game like the weekend, we are back to Super League and face a much-improved Catalans Dragons. I will be looking for us to get back on an even keel, show composure and play in a relaxed manner.

There is a lot of enjoyment and smiles in our team at the moment and that was the case in training this week, but you have still got to play powerfully and naturally and get back into a rhythm.

Much may be made in the media about the fact that Mick Potter (Saints' coach for next season) is in charge of the Catalans side that will arrive at Knowsley Road, but it won't make any difference to me. He is a very good acquisition for the club and Eamonn McManus has a history of picking coaches who are hungry for success.

Mick is no different, the only thing I can say is that he is very privileged to be afforded the opportunity to come to St Helens. I have loved it here and still do.

Catalans will arrive here as a team that now plays for 80 minutes, and consequently they have won a lot of games in the last 10 minutes.

The key is they have got a great forward pack at the moment. I know all their French forwards and I think nearly every rugby league person in the country will know the names of players like Remy Casty, Sebastien Raguin, Alex Chan, Jerome Guisset and David Ferriol.

Then they have classy halves like Aaron Gorrell, Thomas Bosc and Adam Mogg. They are a very well-known team now, which underlines their consistency.

But we're in good shape. Maurie Fa'asavalu is a doubt with an ankle injury, but most of the players trained on Monday, including Paul Sculthorpe, who has a chance of playing, though I will be guided by the medical staff on his fitness.

• OFF the field it is an important week for the club with plans for the new stadium going before St Helens Council on May 20. I would champion the club's cause - Saints, the players and the community all deserve it.

I was at the JJB on Sunday watching Man United and Wigan. That is a beautiful stadium to go to and you can just see it adds a touch of class to your town and gives it a focal point as well.