McCormack is confident of survival

Jun 14 2009 by Lynsey Elliott, Sunday Sun

COACH Steve McCormack admits that there is no time to lose as he attempts to steer Gateshead Thunder out of the relegation danger zone.

Thunder travel to Leigh Centurions this afternoon (3pm) looking for their first Championship victory under new boss McCormack at the fourth attempt.

And with Thunder currently next-to-bottom of the table – three points from safety with nine games to go – McCormack knows that time is of the essence.

“We don’t have a massive amount of time, I’m aware of that,” said the former Widnes Vikings chief.

“There are 10 games to go and at the moment we are next-to- bottom of the table.

“We have to start getting points on the board quickly to get ourselves out of trouble.

“I knew when I came here that it would be tough, and that’s the way it has turned out.

“But I am still 100 per cent confident that we are good enough to avoid relegation and stay in this league.

“There is still a lot of work to do – but I believe we can do it.”

Thunder lost heavily 52-16 at home to Toulouse last Sunday and McCormack is looking for a reaction against Leigh.

He said: “There was none of the passion there that I demand from the players – that performance just wasn’t good enough.

“They have to make amends for that against Leigh.”

Teenage prop Nathan Massey, Thunder’s new loan signing from Castleford, is set to make his debut this afternoon.

McCormack will also have hooker Andrew Henderson, full-back Nick Youngquest and centre Dylan Nash available again after they missed out on the Toulouse game.