Craig Gower eager for London Broncos to make a strong start to Super League

Craig Gower: Setting targets

London Broncos captain Craig Gower says it is vital his side use their pre-season work to ensure a strong start to this year's Super League campaign.

The Broncos won four of their final five games of the 2012 season and have beaten London Skolars, Toulouse and Catalan Dragons in warm-up matches this winter.

Their bid to improve on last year's 12th-placed finish begins when they host Widnes Vikings at the Twickenham Stoop on 3 February and Gower is well aware of the need for a strong start.

"Now there are no excuses. We had a poor start to the season last year and it just spiralled," Gower said.

"First and foremost, we need to get off to a good start. It will be a process on the way. We will have some hiccups but we need to make sure we get back on the horse."
Craig Gower

"It's about implementing our training and getting off to a positive start. We have done all the work so it is about going out there and doing it."

"Everyone is probably confident with where they are at the moment. Everyone has done their fitness and gym work and it is now about doing.

"First and foremost, we need to get off to a good start. It will be a process on the way. We will have some hiccups but we need to make sure we get back on the horse.

"We need to get our confidence up by winning games straight away. Hopefully it will be smooth sailing from there.

"The young guys will have had a year of solid football and will have gained experience from that."

Last season was one of transition for the Broncos, who only won three of their first 20 games under coach Rob Powell, a sequence that saw him replaced by Tony Rea.

Gower is hoping the progress made under the new boss can continue in this year's Super League.

"I've had seasons like that where certain things happen and you don't reach the level you expect to," said Gower, who signed a one-year extension to his contract which will keep him at the club until the end of 2014.

"They can be frustrating because the season goes down the drain.

"The results just weren't going our way. That was a frustrating thing, especially when I know there is a talented group of guys here.

"Last year I thought we were a team.

"It doesn't matter if you feel it. You have got to deliver it. Especially coming to the end of my career, you want to be winning games and competing at the business end of the season."