Maguire pushing for more from Wests Tigers after good start

Wests Tigers Head Coach Michael Maguire is far from content after a big win over the Penrith Panthers last week — asking for his side to go above and beyond to keep moving forward.

Heading in to this week's clash against the Storm sitting in sixth, a win for Wests Tigers would put them within touching distance of the top four approaching the midway point of the year. And having seen the club not make the finals since 2011, Maguire says his side need to keep pushing themselves further to change that.

"One thing I've asked of my players is to show that form [that we did against Penrith] now as we need to build the consistency week-in and week-out," Maguire said.

"They're showing that in the way they're training, but there's a level now that we've got to go to that's probably above and beyond where this club has been.

There's a level now that we've got to go to that's probably above and beyond where this club has been.

Michael Maguire

“That’s how you’re going to achieve the heights of the teams that are up the top. You’ve got to work hard at all the little things you do. With your performance, it’s about getting an understanding of your role and your job in the team.

“When you spend a fair bit of time together, you do a lot of repetition and begin to grow that in the team. That’s something we’ve obviously got to do over and over.”

Five of Wests Tigers next six games will come against sides currently sitting in the top four, with the other a tough trip to Townsville to face the Cowboys at home — presenting Maguire's side with a tough month and a bit of football.

The Premiership-winning Coach, however, was far from stressed.

"For this group, we need to look at the now — we don't need to worry about what's down the future," Maguire enthused. "Whether it's rises or falls, and if that's due to looking forward and getting a little bit ahead of yourself, that's something the boys need to be harder with each other to get that good performance every week.

“I look at all organisations to be able to build our team. The boys want to be number one and so does the organisation and that’s what we’re about.

"That’s the expectation that we need to build here from all areas of the organisation.

"If we’re doing that then I’m sure at some stage the organisation can move into that space.”

Wests Tigers will have their final training run on Wednesday before flying down to Melbourne in the afternoon ahead of their Thursday night clash with the Storm.

Having announced an initial 21-man squad, Wests Tigers will provide an updated 19-man squad later tonight before finalising their side at 6:50pm, Thursday.