Guest Column - Ryan Atkins: Wakefield old boys planning tough reception

I'VE HAD the kick up the backside I needed at Warrington.

I got a bit complacent with Wakefield last year and it was the management at Trinity who approached me about joining Warrington.

It was a chance to push myself at a club where a position would not be guaranteed and I'm glad I did, while Wakefield benefited financially and John (Kear) has been able to bring some good players in on the back of that.

With the fee on my head, there has been pressure. It took me five games to get my first try so I was glad to get that monkey off my back but I knew there would be pressure. Matt King came over from Australia with a lot of hype and he took a lot of stick for his first couple of seasons at Warrington. I know fans can be fickle.

Signing at the same time as another big buy – Richard Myler – has eased it a little though and meant it's not been as bad... but Dave Solomona got lucky!

He was the third of our signings and didn't cost a penny, yet he has been our best player so far.

I played with Sol in 2006, my first year at Wakefield, and he made the start of my career. It was a lot easier playing outside someone like him as he takes all the distraction away from you; players concentrate on him knowing how strong he is and what he can do with the ball.

He's a great character around the place; one of the elder statesmen but a big kid at the same time and he's got a new lease of life since leaving Bradford.

We still talk about games we played together for Wakey...'remember that move we did against so-and-so' and 'we should try doing that again this week'. He is class. It was a lot easier for me to come here knowing I'd be playing with Sol again.

I've had tonight's game with Wakefield ringed on my calendar since the fixture list came out.

They now have Paul Cooke in their ranks and he could make his full debut tonight. I played with him for England in 2006. He's brilliant and probably under-rated. There's all this hype about Danny Brough leaving but Wakefield have got other great halves in Sam Obst, Ben Jeffries and now Cookey. They've shown they are not a one-man club and they're not going to fold.

In Aaron Murphy they've a quality young player too. He's a good mate who always looks in pain whether it's the start or finish of a training session, and couldn't stop a pig in an alley with his bow legs, but he's my big tip and the one we'll have to watch out for tonight.

However, I back our boys. I came here to win silverware and, potentially, I think we could do the treble. That could come back and bite me but I'll stand by it.

I love it here, I've actually moved over from Yorkshire. I could have commuted but there's too many big lads in one car: Gaz Carvell, Dave Solomona, big Richie Mathers and Simon Grix... there's no way I'm getting in there. I know how they can smell.

I've moved over with my girlfriend and we've even got a puppy. Life is good.

Ryan Atkins was talking to Dave Craven.