Leigh have potential to do something special, says John Duffy

Drew Darbyshire

Leigh coach John Duffy thinks his side can do something special this year – but his feet are remaining firmly grounded at this point.

The Centurions have recruited an impressive squad for the 2020 campaign, with the club bringing in 13 fresh faces from the Super League and Championship.

Duffy’s side made a strong start to the season before play was suspended, having won four from four.

He said: “We are taking it a week at a time at the moment because if you start getting ahead of yourself then you get burnt don’t you.

“It’s a long, tough season in the Championship and there is a good calibre of players in a lot of squads but we’ve just got to focus on us and being the best us and seeing how for we can go – but if we can gel then I believe we can do something special.

“We’ve got some great players this year and I’m excited. We’ve just to gel a bit more together but our fitness is really good.”

Duffy was appointed coach of the Centurions prior to the 2019 season, where he guided the club to a fourth-placed finish in the table – and he is enjoying his time as Leigh boss.

He added: “It was a big learning curve for us last year, we were on the back foot when we started because we had a late pre-season so it was tough.

“I really enjoyed the ride with the group of players we had and we ended up doing something special in coming fourth and getting into the play-offs because not many people had high expectations of us.

“A lot of praise has to go up to Derek (Beaumont, owner) and everything he has done. We were on a tight budget last year but we ended up getting a good calibre of players so we’ve got something to build on this year.

“We’ve signed really well and I’m excited for the year ahead.”

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