We have to just ignore the table reckons Watson

SALFORD coach Ian Watson is warning his players to ignore the league table as they prepare to take on bottom club Warrington.

Tony Smith’s Wolves produced a sparkling performance to beat Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Series a fortnight ago but go to the AJ Bell Stadium today seeking a first win of the 2017 Betfred Super League after losing to Catalans Dragons and Castleford in the first two rounds.

“Warrington are a great team,” Watson said. “They play a good way.

“I know the kind of standards Tony sets for them and they won’t be happy that they’ve lost their first two league games and they will be aiming to put it right.

“As you saw against the Broncos, if they want to turn it on, they can.

“For us it’s making sure we turn up and be at our best on Saturday to hopefully get the win.”

Watson says his team will be aiming to atone for their remarkable collapse in the corresponding fixture last year.

The Red Devils looked to have had the game sewn up when they led 30-12 after 49 minutes but allowed the visitors to draw level before snatching the victory with a last-second drop goal from Chris Sandow.

“We kind of went within ourselves,” Watson recalled. “I don’t know if we were shocked at how far we were in front in that game but we stopped doing what we were doing in the second half.”

The game has come too soon for Salford’s new signing Todd Carney while Warrington will give a late check to fullback Kurt Gidley, who missed the home defeat by Castleford with a virus.

Catalans Dragons are expected to give a debut to former Salford prop Luke Burgess against Widnes at the Stade Gilbert Brutus Stadium on Saturday.

Burgess, the former Leeds, South Sydney and Manly forward and older brother of England internationals Sam, George and Tom, had a short-term stint with the Red Devils towards the end of last season before joining the Catalans on a two-year deal.

He will get his chance following the loss of front rowers Sam Moa and Julian Bousquet to injury.