Warrington Wolves: Adrian Morley makes shock Daryl Powell claim ahead of St Helens showdown

Daryl Powell will be hoping to inspire his Warrington Wolves side out of their current malaise when they return to Super League action in Friday’s eagerly-anticipated match against St Helens.

The Wolves are currently sat fourth in the Super League table, collecting 11 wins from their 17 matches played so far. However, successive defeats – first away at Castleford – and then home to the Leeds Rhinos – have seen the Wire lose their way somewhat.

And while competitive in both games, they lacked the cutting edge needed to overcome their rivals.

In a game of fine margins, that can prove critical in Super League. And after seemingly having some stern words with his players following last Thursday’s loss to the Rhinos, Powell will be hoping for a return to winning ways on Friday.

Warrington were their own worst enemies in the match, conceding three tries in the first 15 minutes to trail 16-0.

And things got worse for Warrington when Sam Kasiano was sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge .

Facing the media after the game, Powell detailed his frustration at their display.

“I’m just disappointed. We wanted to put a better effort out there tonight,” he told Sky Sports.

“I will be thinking about it for the next week that’s the way coaching is.

“I am disappointed. I just thought Leeds got us early and then we got a sin bin.

“We never really played to our potential. I thought we battled hard, I thought we worked really hard.

“I think we started to play a bit after 73 minutes. We have to find more of that in ourselves.”

READ MORE: Former Warrington Wolves back calls time on his professional career at the age of 23

Morley makes Powell claim about Warrington players

Powell continued: “Our game has got to be better. If I am saying how do we help our players? Well recruitment wise we’re looking because we have lost two players and haven’t replaced them.

“That has been tough for us but it is a tough sport, you have ups and downs and we have to work our way out of it.”

When questioned what he would say to the players following the defeat, Powell delivered an honest response.

“Probably the same one I’ve told you. We have to work out of it. We need to give them more support,” he said.

“The boys are bashed up and at the moment I am not able to rotate the middle unit or rest anyone.

“They are battling at the minute.”

Friday’s opponents sit below them in the table, making the match a crucial encounter for both sides.

A win could catapult Warrington back up to second place in the table if other results go their way.

However, reflecting on the comments, Morley suggested Powell sounds like a coach who has lost faith in his players.

“He has gone from talking about the Grand Final and top spot to talking about making the top six,” he said.

“This is a side in second. That shows a lack of confidence in the players to me and the players will have a lack of confidence themselves.”

READ MORE ~ Warrington Wolves: Daryl Powell makes recruitment stance clear with new signings close