Tom is positive about the future
WIDNES centre Tom Armstrong gave Vikings fans a taste of what he’s capable of with a Star Man performance in the 28-26 loss to Wigan last Friday.
The 27-year-old who joined the Vikings from Leigh in the off-season looked dangerous in possession throughout but he was devastated to see his side go down having held a 26-12 lead with 20 minutes remaining.
He said: “I just wanted to keep myself busy and get my hands on the ball as much as I could.
“I was lucky enough to make a few breaks and I got some help from the lads, especially the forwards, who gave me the platform with a bit of push around the ruck.
“I’m absolutely devastated about the result. Sometimes that’s the worst kind of way to lose a game.
“All we had to was complete our sets and kick the ball to keep them down their end, then man up in defence and not give away silly penalties like we did.
“They’re a top side so if you give away cheap penalties they’re going to roll you.
“They marched us down the field and ran in back-to-back tries.
“The penalties we gave away just caused us to lose a bit of energy and there were some silly mistakes on the back of it.
“You make rash decisions when you’re tired and a class side like Wigan will punish you in those circumstances.”
Despite the defeat, Armstrong believes the team’s overall performance bodes well for the future starting with this Saturday’s trip to unbeaten Catalans Dragons.
He added: “The performance was a hundred per cent improvement from the Huddersfield game and people will underestimate us at their peril.
“Let them underestimate us because we’ve just shown we could push the World Club Champions all the way.
“We should have won the game let alone took them close.
“I know Catalans are in a bit of form but we’ve shown we can mix it with the best. We’re going to get over there with the right attitude to win the game.”
Catalans paid a price for their 16-14 win over Hull last Thursday.
Forward Jason Baitieri pleaded guilty to a Grade A charge of Contact with a Match Official and picked up a one match ban which will see him miss Saturday’s game.
Widnes will be seeking their first-ever Super League win at the Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan.