Tony Smith does not believe in hoodoos (From This Is Cheshire)

Tony Smith does not believe in hoodoos

11:29am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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WOLVES coach Tony Smith has revealed that he does not believe in ‘hoodoos’ ahead of tomorrow’s ‘derby’ clash with fierce rivals St Helens.

Despite Wolves’ tale of woe when travelling to Knowsley Road, where the visitors have lost 18 consecutive league and cup games, Smith’s only concern is that his players give 100 per cent on the field.

He said: “I’m not one to believe in hoodoos or voodoo or whatever else you want to come up with, we need to go out there and play well.

“They are a class team, have been for many years and to beat St Helens you have to work damn hard.”

The former England coach accepts that the fans desperately want to win this game more than many others, but claims he is not treating it differently to any other game in the Super League calendar.

“It’s pretty much another game for us,” he said.

“If we prepare well, play hard and play for each other no matter who you are facing then you can come off the field feeling good about your performance.

“My job is to get the players to perform at their best, but I can understand that fans want to win this game more than others.”

A big dent in Wolves’ aspirations is the continued loss of master playmaker Lee Briers, who is more qualified than most to pick apart his hometown club’s defensive line.

Briers has missed the last three games with ankle trouble and has not been named in the 19-man squad for tomorrow but Wolves have shown they are more than capable of winning without him.

Smith said: “I’m sure Lee would have loved to have played but what is done, is done.”

The former England coach is also hoping to see the imminent return of another injured player, hooker Jon Clarke, who has been sidelined for the start of the season with an ankle injury.

He said: “Jon is going for a scan next Tuesday.

“He has increased his training at the moment and fingers crossed we’ll get a good scan on Tuesday, then he can really start to get himself fit.”

* Lee Mitchell replaces Briers in Wolves’ 19-man squad, with last week’s 18th-man Richie Mathers also named.