Eaton asks Cougars to step up to the challenge. : Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:33 pm
Keighley Cougars players started their pre-season training programme
today (Tuesday) and their coach Barry Eaton is looking to take his squad
to the next level.
Just seven weeks after their Co-operative Championship One Grand Final
win over Oldham, the Cougars return to training at Cougar Park knowing
that the bulk of last year's squad has been retained and five new
signings are arriving.
Barry said: "Most of the current squad have looked after themselves well
since the end of the 2009 season and are coming into the pre-season
training programme in great shape.
"We don't have anybody recovering from surgery and that's a blessing.
"Three of our new signings are coming from an engage Super League
environment so they'll have good training habits so they'll be in good
condition and be good athletes.
"They'll also be coming to Cougar Park full of enthusiasm and wanting to
get stuck into the next stage of their careers".
He added: "The core of the team that has done so much for the club has
already been retained.
"But they will know that we have a great deal of hard work in front of
us.
"Dewsbury gave us two spankings last year. They were ready for promotion
even at that stage and that's the kind of level that we need to achieve
in the Championship.
"When it comes to commitment and ability I've got every confidence in my
players, but they will have to step up in fitness levels and agility.
"The rest will be down to tactical and selection issues, and that's down
to me."
Eaton still faces a number of contract negotiations to complete
including centre Dan Potter, prop Craig Brown, hooker James
Haythornthwaite and prop Ben Sagar.
Added Eaton: "I've just come back from holiday and I need to talk to Dan
Potter to decide whether he is staying or going.
"I'll be chatting to Craig Brown too but we have to bear in mind he
missed most of last season with injury.
"And I want to have a chat to both James and Ben about their deals too".
