Adrian Lam reacts to Leigh Leopards’ ‘unacceptable’ performance

Leigh fans and players more than played their part in the tributes to Burrow. The Leigh team warmed up in training kit with ‘Burrow 7’ on the back and Leigh fans unfurled a huge banner several times with a tribute to Burrow on the front.

It was a tough task for the Leopards to face a spirited Leeds side in an emotionally charged encounter. Speaking after the game, Leigh coach Adrian Lam reflected on the impact those emotions had on his side’s performance.

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Lam brands Leigh Leopards’ performance ‘not good enough’

Credit: Imago Images

Speaking in the post-match press conference on Leopards TV, Lam criticized the way his Leigh side handled the emotions on a difficult night. Leigh started slowly in the first half, allowing Leeds to take an unassailable lead. Lam revealed that he reacted angrily to his players at half-time. Lam said:

“Yes, we’ve been focusing all week on how important the kick-off will be because of the excitement the Rhinos would have attached themselves to with the Rob Burrow tribute. I thought we completely messed it up in the first half. It just wasn’t good enough.

“I yelled at the team at halftime there and we came out completely different in the second half. This is the club and team we need going forward. So obviously frustrated with that, but it’s going to make us better with what’s left of the season.

The result leaves Leigh with an uphill battle to reach the play-offs, they are five points off the play-off places with Catalans Dragons still to play.

Lam believes the Leopards need to improve on their first-half performance

Credit: Imago Images

Despite what Lam called an unacceptable first-half performance, he was grateful for an improved second-half performance that nearly pulled them back into the game. He believes Leigh showed great courage and determination in trying to get back into the game.

“It’s important to make sure we address tonight and in the first 40 minutes. This is unacceptable and I am disappointed by it. I’m grateful, I think, for the grit and determination that we showed in the second half to try and get back into that game.

Lam also confirmed that Leigh will welcome back a number of key players in the coming weeks as they look to fight their way back into the play-off picture.

“We’ll have a week off and then we’ll get the likes of John Asiata and Robbie Mulhern, Gaz O’Brien and Ollie Holmes back into the squad against Wigan. So that’s the other positive that we have to look forward to and, you know, we just have to make sure that we stay focused.”