Tony Smith keeping Warrington Wolves players on their toes (From This Is Cheshire)

Tony Smith keeping Warrington Wolves players on their toes

9:30am Friday 3rd July 2009

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A FEAR factor is driving some Wolves players forward under Tony Smith.

The thought of losing their place in the side after one bad game is getting results.

Simon Grix, currently deputising at stand off after a successful run in the centres, said: “We’re doing well with injuries, apart from Lee Briers and Mickey Higham, and it’s all pretty tight at the moment.

“There’s loads of competition for places and it’s bringing the best out of everyone.

“You just know that if you have a bad game you could be out.

“Whereas some coaches may stick with players while they find form, I don’t think you’re going to get that now.

“Tony’s keeping everyone on their toes and everyone’s got to work hard.”

The former Halifax man can feel the pressure from underneath of players wanting a slice of the first-team action.

“Mike Cooper played at the weekend but both he and Lee Mitchell have been at 18th man recently and they’ve been going very well in the reserves and waiting for someone to be injured or mess up,” he said.

“And then there’s some of the younger players coming through.

“Alex Thompson’s not played in the first team yet but he’s killing it in the reserves. Tyrone McCarthy as well.

“There’s some good players coming through and Tony’s philosophy is going to bring them on.”

Former Great Britain international Brian Carney is also patiently waiting in the wings after his capture from Munster Rugby Union Club last month.

“Brian played in the reserves on Saturday and got through all right,” said Grix.

“I think people have been expecting him to just come straight back to rugby league and be in the team but people are playing well.

“I think it would be harsh on Chris Riley or Chris Hicks if one of them was to be dropped from the wing on current form.

“Brian’s a good bloke, he knows that and can accept that.

“Hopefully with every-Smith keeps players on toes one pushing each other we’re going to be sweet.”

Grix has enjoyed getting his hands on the ball more during the last two games while covering at stand off for Lee Briers, who is targeting St Helens on July 11 for a return from hamstring trouble.

“It has been enjoyable but against Hull at the weekend I was guilty of trying a bit too hard,” he said.

“I’d rather try too hard than not be doing a lot at all.

“If I’m going to stay there for a couple of weeks – and Briersy may be a couple of weeks off yet – I’ll get there with each game.

“It’s just about getting used to organising play again. When I’ve been in the centres people are telling me what to do.

“It helps having people like Jon Clarke at hooker because he’s a great controller of a game.”

Grix spent time on the sidelines with a knee twist on Sunday but he expects to be available against Celtic Crusaders on Wolves’ first ever trip to The Brewery Field in Bridgend on Saturday, kick off 6pm.

Paul Rauhihi is a doubt with a niggling injury that saw him miss Sunday’s win against Hull.

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