Justin Holbrook Q&A: Makinson, Fages' role and Wilkin's importance

MC: Despite the scoreline you had to work hard for Friday’s win?

JH: Definitely. We expected a really tough game and we got that. We had to work for the win – and got it late in the game.

To only concede two tries, both to kicks, shows how well we are defending.

MC: The past two weeks you have really gone after teams in that last 20 minutes, is that a sign of confidence or an indication of the squad’s fitness?

JH: It is a bit of both. We have worked hard in that fitness area.

There was a lot of talk in pre-season about our skill level and that was true, but we also knew we were working really hard as well.

Our medical and performance staff do a great job.

And the skill level, too, is showing up late in the game, so it is a combination of both things and the players are really enjoying it and we are encouraging them to play.

There were no dramas with us about a five-day turnaround beforehand, it was just about being smart with the players about we can and can’t do and having them ready and excited to play and they did that.

MC: Another top-drawer display from James Roby after a difficult build up?

JH: He is a class player and displayed that again at Warrington. He had left the field with a dead leg the week before and did not have many days to get right… but he doesn’t need them does he?

He rolled out another James Roby Standard performance which happens every week, which is brilliant.

MC: The challenges at nine keep coming for Roby last week Clark, this week Parcell, but he relishes them?

JH: Yes he does, it doesn’t matter who he is playing against he just gets on with it.

He did that in the World Cup Final and enjoys playing.

MC: A handful of times on Friday the Saints man with the ball had to check himself to avoid committing obstruction as his teammates were in front of him. What was going wrong?

JH: Probably too many changes of angles with the ball threw us out a bit out.

We just got in each other’s way a little bit but that was worked out and we fixed a few things at half time.

MC: You have Jon Wilkin back this week and he still adds something to that team?

JH: As you mentioned earlier about players getting in each other’s way, we had altered the way we played a little bit because of not having Wilko or Morgan Knowles – our link between forwards and backs.

We definitely missed Wilko as we have done Morgan.

We get Wilko back this week and Morgan back the week after, we’ll get better again once they return.

MC: You have had Tommy Makinson in the centres for a few weeks now – is this a viable long term position or do you still see him as a wing?

JH: Not sure, is the answer. He is a better winger than centre and that is his preferred position, but at the moment Swifty is doing such a good job.

It is good that Tommy can move to centre and can even play full back if he has to. He is a good outside back and his versatility is important for us.

He is a great kid who will play anywhere and wants to do the best job he can every week.

At the moment it is at centre and he doing fantastic for us.

MC: How did you assess Danny Richardson’s display?

JH: He is a good young kid Danny and he is doing some great things and working hard on all parts of his game.

I think he is improving well for us and he has to continue to improve, but he knows that.

He is doing some classy things, even his work on the first try was great. The run and the pass to Percy.

MC: How are the Saints lads faring over at Sheffield?

JH: They are doing it tough, but the good thing is that they are playing.

It is great for James Bentley, Jake Spedding and Matt Costello got a run with them at the weekend.

They are getting game time and it is a learning curve for them as young players.

MC: It was good to see the smiles on faces at Blackbrook Royals at the weekend when Ben Barba and James Roby dropped in?

JH: We want the kids following us and want the connection between us and the town.

That is what we worked on in pre-season and now that we are playing and playing well it is good to see so many fans come out, particularly last Friday.

To fill out that whole section at Warrington was fantastic and the players really appreciate it as they know the effort the fans are making.

And that is helping us play so well as we want to repay the fans who make the effort.

We want that to continue Friday – Leeds will bring a big crowd and that is great, hopefully our fans can turn out and enjoy watching the boys play.

MC: Theo Fages is performing a neat little job for you off the bench – and is an asset with the things he can do?

JH: Definitely. He is a tough little competitor.

For a little guy he is as tough as anyone on the field.

He is finding his feet now. Naturally he wants to play number six and I understand that. But now that he has spent a few week in that utility role - I think I interchanged him for Big Al last Friday – he is really finding the mark and slotting in nicely.

If he is in a position to kick he will plus he is supporting well and carrying the ball as a forward.

He is getting familiar with that role for us and making a big impact on the field.

He is also a calming influence. There were times when we looked a little bit disjointed but when Theo is on there he is an extra half with a calming influence.

He is doing a fantastic job.

MC: We are seeing 'smile on the face' rugby and the conditions have been atrocious, that must augur well for May and June onwards?

JH: For the boys to be producing what they are in these conditions is exciting to watch.

When it dries up every side will get better, but so will we.

None of the players are getting too carried away and nor should they.

We set high standards here in training and in games – we are enjoying it ans still producing some good rugby to watch and will only get better.

MC: Matty Lees slotted back in well, didn’t he?

JH: He went well and it was good to get him a game.

He has worked really hard with Sheffield and played massive minutes. It was good to reward him with an opportunity to play with the boys and he did well.