Marshall: Changes will be made for '˜Haven trip

Last weekend’s 24-22 loss to Dewsbury was Fax’s third in the Championship Shield, and while Marshall highlighted an improvement in aspects of his players’ showing, he admitted it was likely there would be alterations to both personnel and planning ahead of the trip to the Recreation Ground.

Half back or full back Ben Johnston, omitted in favour of Miles Greenwood against the Rams, should be available, while hooker Ben Kaye is expected to be fit after injury.

Influential prop Luke Ambler, who missed last weekend’s game with a neck injury, is still rated as doubtful.

“Given the situation we are in, I’d say something needs to change, whether that’s selection or tactics or both,” said Marshall.

“That’s what we’ve spent the last few days deliberating and we’ll see the results of those decisions on Monday.

“When we actually sat down and analysed Sunday’s game, the efforts the players were making were the best they’ve been over the last six weeks.

“As far as winning or losing goes, it probably came down to a couple of individual errors rather than team errors.

“We need to be a whole lot better though, there’s no doubt about that.”

Whitehaven are officially coach-less, having parted company with James Coyle last week, and are embroiled in a relegation battle.

And while Fax are assured of a semi final place courtesy of the league points they collected during the regular season, Marshall warned his players they would need to adopt the same mindset as their hosts.

“They are in a dogfight, scrapping it out, and that’s exactly what we need to do,” said Marshall.

“It’s a game that will come down to which team wants it the most and is more desperate for the win.

“We need to want it more than they do.”