TONY Smith has received the backing of St Helens head coach Keiron Cunningham, who says Wolves are “not the side people say they are.”

Smith takes his side to the Totally Wicked Stadium tomorrow, Friday, and defeat would secure the club’s worst ever start to a league campaign.

They must beat Cunningham’s Saints to avoid that record and he says it is only a matter of time until Wolves get things right.

“Tony Smith is a smart coach and he has been in this industry a long time,” he said.

“You don’t stay in this industry, win as many games and trophies as he has if you are not smart.

“He understands the dynamics of rugby league and knows what his players have to do.

“Against Leigh they were a dropped ball here and there away from getting a victory.

“The Warrington of old would have taken some of those opportunities Leigh gave them and sneaked Thursday’s game, but that is the difference at the minute.

“All these things will stick with Warrington eventually but it is a question against who? Somebody will feel the brunt of it, I just hope it is not us on Friday night.

“When they bring Stefan Ratchford back and you begin to get that combination with him, Daryl Clark and Matty Russell from dummy half – those three carries alone are a 40-metre gain.

“We know what Warrington bring and they are not the side that everyone is saying they are.”