Shaun McRae insists that Salford can turn their form around after losing both the first two Super League matches of the season.
Salford boss convinced they can come back from poor start to the season
Shaun McRae insists that Salford can turn their form around after suffering two defeats in the first two Super League matches of the season.
The Reds had high hopes coming into 2011 having signed a number of new players during the off-season. However, they lost 42-12 to Crusaders in their opening match and matters worsened last Friday when St Helens beat them 56-22 at the Willows.
McRae was barracked by home fans after that defeat but as the veteran Australian enters the last year of his four-and-a-half-year contract, he insists he has no intention of quitting.
Ahead of Sunday's game at Wakefield, McRae also maintains he still has the full support of his players as well as the Salford board.
"I'm convinced we can turn this around," he said. "In all my experiences in this game - and speaking to other people who I rely a lot on with advice at different times - nobody has come up with a magic potion.
"The real crux of it is just sheer hard work and continuing to believe in systems and your players and your staff and your structures.
"I feel as though there is a still a real belief in all that. I'm quite prepared to try and fight through.
"It's my 16th year as a head coach and there is nothing out there you can change. You can't just click your fingers and wake up one day and find it's all fixed up.
Perseverance
"You've just got to keep persevering and with that perseverance you have to have people go with you.
"If I thought for one moment that people in this organisation weren't prepared to persevere with everything we want to do then I may well have had to re-think my decision over the last few days but I'm absolutely convinced that's the way to go.
"I had players texting me after last Friday telling me how they felt and each one spoke about accepting responsibility for themselves. That indicates to me that we're all part of a team.
"I believe there is total support there. The players know there is pressure on them to perform. I don't think that's changed this week.
"I haven't noticed too much change in what we've done. We've gone about practice normal routine and we've come up with a game plan for Sunday that we believe we can win us the game."
McRae is able to recall prop Ryan Boyle for the Wildcats game after he missed the opening two matches through suspension and full-back Luke Patten will play despite initial fears that he would have to undergo surgery to repair a badly-broken nose.
"The doctor was able to manipulate his nose immediately and he's very happy with the way it set and the fact that he's not got any breathing difficulties," said McRae.
"He's fine to play which is a major boost for us."
The Reds are still without hooker Wayne Godwin, who remains suspended, and close-season signings Sean Gleeson, Phil Bailey and Vinnie Anderson, who are still sidelined through injury.
