McNamara read Bradford Bulls riot act

The 2005 champions take on Castleford at Odsal on Friday still reeling from their 38-6 mauling by Saints in front of their own fans and desperately hoping to avoid losing their opening three matches of a Super League season for the first time.

McNamara, who was booed by fans after Sunday's home game, admits he used harsh words to his players in the aftermath of the defeat, but says the scale of the defeat could work to their advantage.

"If we had come back and lost the game say 28-16, it might not have been the best thing for us," he said.

"Sometimes what happened last week is what a side needs - I firmly believe that. It could be part of the process for this team to be as good as they can be.

"It's a tough world out there and sometimes something like that is exactly what is needed. This group is still learning about each other because there are so many new people.

"In the long run, when we sit back and analyse it over the length of the season, as hard as it is, as much as it hurt and embarrassed as we were, it could possibly be the thing that was needed at this stage."

For more on this story read Thursday's Yorkshire Post.