Holbrook relaxed ahead of Salford test

St Helens’ boss Justin Holbrook insists there’s no reason to panic despite last Friday’s 24-16 defeat at Huddersfield.

Saints will aim to return to winning ways when they host Salford on Friday and Holbrook says he’s satisfied with how things have progressed since he took over at the club.

“I can’t panic – I can only judge on the last five weeks since I arrived here,” he told the club’s official website.

“Whilst Friday was definitely unacceptable I don’t think wholesale changes are the answer. All 17 need to play better this Friday, that is obvious, but I don’t think anyone deserves not to be there based on last Friday’s game.

“As a team, all-in-all, it was disappointing to lose, but up until three or four minutes to go we had a chance to win that game had we pulled out something.

“It is a fine line winning and losing – to make it as hard as we did last week and nearly have the chance to win, that is the positive we can take out of it.”

Salford head into the game on the back of an impressive 30-6 victory over Wakefield in the last eight of the Challenge Cup.

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Holbrook admits the Red Devils will be a tough proposition this weekend.

“Salford are coming off a great win last week and I’m sure they will be pretty happy with that,” he added.

“For us we need to play well. We are aware of their talent – they sit second and are a very good team. But the focus has to be on getting our own game in order.

“It is probably better for us to play four of the five top sides now. Everyone looks forward to playing in the harder games and they are all in a row for us now.

“I think that is a good thing. It tests where you are at and if you’re good enough you will beat them – and if not, you won’t.

“It will be good for us and we are looking forward to it.”