Whitehaven coach Gary Charlton is expecting a different kind of challenge when he takes his side to Newcastle next Sunday.
Charlton admitted he hadn’t been too impressed with his side’s performance in the 28-24 win over Oldham at the weekend.
“A win is a win I suppose, and important as we try to retain our Championship status, but we were poor for much of the game.
“Oldham have a big pack and they play it hard and straight, and at times we couldn’t handle them.
“We let them into the game after we should have been out of sight.
“It’s going to be completely different at Newcastle because Thunder will try to get it wide when they can and take us on out there,” he said.
Whitehaven were recording their third straight home win and it’s that form which has carried them up the table, now with four teams below them.
“I will say one thing, though. Our team is resilient and after looking as though they had given the game away they came back to get the lead back and hold on,” he added.
Australian star Lachlan Walmsley, who missed the game after completing a COVID isolation period, will be available again but there are injury concerns over skipper Marc Shackley and Dion Aiye.
