Featherstone: Rovers are a '˜different proposition' this season, admits Sharp

The Rams won 32-30 at Big Fellas Stadium last July in Andy Hay’s final game as Rovers coach and they came out on top 34-16 when the teams met again in the Championship Shield in September.

Dewsbury visit Featherstone this weekend sitting fourth in the table after winning three of their first four matches.

“Dewsbury were too good for us last season but we are a different proposition. We are a better team than last year’s side,” said Sharp. “We expect to play better than we did then. We have some high expectations of ourselves and we are confident we can play well.”

Sharp was pleased with Featherstone’s display against Oldham last weekend but he said they “now have to focus on fine-tuning our attack.” He believes the attack will improve as the season progresses and also when they sign a hooker to replace long-term casualty Matty Wildie who is out for the season.

“With the new players we have in the team it takes times to gel and I think just spending a bit more time on the field playing together will improve us,” he said. “The team is only three games old and it’s just a matter of getting out on the field and playing. We are playing without a recognised number nine. We are playing with a full-back at hooker. Filling the nine role is really important. I think that’s top of the agenda.”