North Wales Crusaders head coach Carl Forster is looking beyond results as his side prepare to face Championship outfit Widnes Vikings in Colwyn Bay on Sunday.
The game marks a fourth in concession against higher league opposition for Crusaders who have begun their 2024 season by facing Barrow (friendly), Swinton (1895 Cup), Bradford (Challenge Cup) and Widnes (1895 Cup), who all ply their trade in the Betfred Championship.
Given the tough start, Forster says it's about looking beyond the results at this stage: "To be honest, it won't get tougher than this during the year.
"We've come into the off-season and built a squad which we're confident can compete well in League One, and then we're asking them to go head to head with quality Championship teams week after week for our first four fixtures.
"For us, we're just focusing on our own game, and almost picking a part these four fixtures, looking at what we're doing well and what we need to improve on ahead of the League campaign getting underway next month - that's where our focus is."
Forster added: "Having said that, no team ever goes into a game not wanting to win, and that's the same for us on Sunday.
"Do we realise the challenge ahead of us and the quality of Widnes? Yes, but we also back ourselves and our togetherness as a group to go out there and put a performance in.
"The lads know that this isn't just an opportunity to test themselves against quality opponents, but it's also a chance for them to stand up and show myself and the rest of the coaching staff what they can do and put their name into the starting team for our first league game.
"I have no doubt that it will be an amazing afternoon in Colwyn Bay and that we will be able to make our supporters proud."
Tickets for the clash can be purchased online HERE, with gates opening at 12:30pm and live music in the Garvey Conveyor fanzone.
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