news-engine

St Helens need to win all three of their remaining games to have a chance at making the play-offs, interim boss Eamon O’Carroll believes. The Saints take on Leeds Rhinos, Leigh Leopards and Hull KR to end the season, in arguably the hardest run-in across Super League. They boast a solid record against the Rhinos, especially at home, and they’ve already beaten Leigh this year, so that should provide confidence. The meeting against Hull KR could be a game that decides who snatches sixth place, but to even get to that point, Saints need to win both of their fixtures against in-form opposition first. O’Carroll has set the task for his players – end the season with three wins, and the hope of finals rugby remains. The interim coach believes that is the “best approach” to have in a situation where there is a lot of pressure mounting. “We’ve just got to go and win all three,” he told the press this week. “I think that’s the best approach to have. “I want the boys to feel confident, and I think if we’re going into games thinking it’s alright, we can drop one, it’s probably not the right message. I think we’ve got to go and win all three and be excited about the challenge ahead.” Despite the chances of Saints missing the six being high, O’Carroll disagrees with the statement that his club have been written off, with that noise coming externally. The feeling within the group is that finishing in the six is a possibility, and they will do everything they can to try and achieve that. “We’re just concentrating on ourselves,” he said. “We’ve had belief all year. Yes, we’ve been through the mill a little bit, but when we take a step back and understand the situation and why we’re in it, we know why. “Yes, we could have been better at times, there’s no doubt about that. We certainly won’t shy away from it, but one thing we’ve had throughout the course of the year is belief. Belief in the group and belief in each other, and that won’t change.” St Helens’ new coach, World Cup fail and Hull KR’s top six chances – Click here to watch this week’s episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show Despite the task set, the interim boss says it’s not the end of the world if they don’t go three from three. “I don’t think there’s doom and gloom from us, and that’s all I’m interested in, if I’m totally honest with you,” he said. “If we go and lose on Friday, does that mean we’re back to doom and gloom? We have to stay level, and we have to stay consistent in terms of our behaviours and how we’re training and how we’re responding to negativity and positivity. “We have to just keep our feet firmly on the ground and keep working hard, and if we do that, we’ll be where we deserve to be come the end of the year.” Commenting on the fans ahead of what will be a huge game against the table-topping Rhinos, O’Carroll said: “Our home support’s huge. “I really enjoyed the buzz around the stadium at the weekend, and I thought away at Wakefield, they were fantastic as well. “There’s a good buzz around the place, which is great, and I’m sure our fans will turn out in great numbers. It’s always a fantastic game whenever you play Leeds, particularly at this place. “We’re really looking forward to it, and I’m sure they’ll come in their numbers and bring the mates with them. That’s what we’re all hoping for because they’re incredibly important to us.”