Sheens: We have plenty of belief

Hull KR boss Tim Sheens says his team will travel to Salford full of confidence on Friday, but he believes the Red Devils are big favourites to progress to the last eight of the Challenge Cup.

Salford are currently third in Super League and Sheens is full of admiration for the progress Ian Watson’s side have made this season.

“I think there’s plenty of belief in our side already that we can go to Salford and win, but we have a lot of respect for them and what they’ve done this year,” he told the club’s official website.

“They’re sitting third in the Super League competition and they’ve beaten some good sides on the way to get there.

“We know it’s going to be tough and on paper this is a step up from our game against Leigh a few weeks ago. Leigh were a tough opponent but the Super League table shows Salford could be even tougher, although it doesn’t always work out that way of course.

“However, there’s no doubt that Salford are the odds-on favourites to beat us and I’m sure the bookies have it that way.

“We’re quietly confident in our own ability if we do the little things well, but it could also come down to how both teams handle the conditions as it could be wet over there on Friday night.

“A good start plays a part as well. We scored early against Leigh and that took the pressure off us somewhat and raised the level of belief. We don’t need to score early against Salford, but we don’t want to be 30 behind at half-time either.

“We need to stay with them and use that scoreboard as a pressure point on them as well as us. Whether they’re in front or just behind, we need to stay in the game to make sure that pressure falls back on them as the favourites.

“Our main aim is to stay in the contest and if we’re good enough and we come up with the right options, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win it.”