Last updated 15:47, Wednesday, 19 November 2008

DOING as well as last season won’t be an option for Whitehaven and in particular their ambitious head coach.

Ged Stokes is setting his sights high, he expects the same of his players and the rest of the coaching team.

Team Haven were one step away from the 2008 Grand Final, but the semi final at Salford proved to be a game too far, it’s fair to say the side were attempting the impossible, physically and mentally drained from those two wonderfully exciting play-off triumphs at Leigh and Halifax.

A phenomenal finish but now Haven are looking to a flying start for 2009, hope-fully with no off the field distractions this time?

So what’s the aim? – “To win a competition,” says Mr Stokes unequivocally.

New Zealand’s former assistant coach won hearts and minds at The Recre in his first season but he is desperate for silverware in his second.

Getting Haven to another Grand Final, and winning it, is the ultimate, of course, but first things first: The Northern Rail Cup is firmly in his sights.

There’s still the painful memory of the 2007 final to be erased, and Ged tells me he intends to play what he sees as his strongest line up in the competition.

Whitehaven have three pre-season home “friend-lies” fixed up – the Christ-mas clash with Workington, Swinton and the Bradford Bulls, but don’t call them warm-ups in his presence. They will help make comp-etition for places red hot!

“Players already know they will be judged on how they do in the trials,” he said with a wry smile.

Stokes will be no respect-er of reputations when it comes to selection, there will be no hiding places because everybody will know how they stand and definitely what’s expected.

To be the best, not just the best of the rest, Stokes and his coaching cohorts are getting their strategy in place determined to start off on the right foot and avoid the seat of the pants stuff that was inevitable in last season’s remarkable catch up, which demanded so much character and resilience.

The aims and goals will be made crystal clear at what’s called a club “orientation” at The Recre this evening but as for Ged Stokes himself, he wants to be judged by high standards and achievement: The yardstick is excelling in the two major National League competitions, preferably winning at least one!

“We have to start ticking off the boxes so we can put a case for a Super League licence. We will be judged by success and need to build on what was achieved in difficult circumstances last season,” says Ged.

Dynamic is a word which crops up in the challenge to meet the usual great expectations.

Last season the coaches worked hard on what Stokes calls the “team dynamic” – now the task is to give more individual attention with one to one sessions focussed on skills, responsibilities, strengths and weaknesses.

“Improving specific roles can only benefit the team dynamic,” said the head coach. “I believe there is improvement in everybody, no one is the finished article, it is no good just doing the same things as last season, if we do we will just go backwards.”

It’s easy to think 2009 might be less difficult but look what’s left behind – Widnes, Leigh and Halifax. Maybe one or two surprise packets, too.

So far so good as far as Whitehaven team strength-ening is concerned but like any ambitious coach Stokes is still not fully satisfied he has the complete squad.

“I know finances are at a minimum but if there is a little bit of money available and the right player comes along I hope we might be in the market.”

His eye is on strength-ening the back division.

As for the pack, the astute Kiwi reckons he is well off for both back and front row-ers “in the medium term” but points out: “For the here and now we will need to strength our outside backs.”

Just the statement, I’d say, to get certain players on their toes from the word go!

Competition, getting the right combinations and communication are key.

With a few selection headaches for the head honcho – “As I see it players play their way in and out, all I do is put the names on the sheet, the choice is made for me,” came Ged’s perfect reply. If you believe that you will believe anything.

Team Haven will certainly know the score before Town come to The Recre for the December 28 derby.