York Knights v Warrington Wolves: Mark Applegarth outlines biggest challenge for newcomers ahead of latest test

York, Bradford Bulls and Toulouse Olympique were written off before a ball had even been kicked. They were only here to make up the numbers in a new 14-team competition – or so the narrative went.

It is still early days, of course, but two wins apiece from their first three matches have put the rest of Super League on notice.

In York's case, the victories against Hull KR and Hull FC were earned in the kind of high-pressure finishes that reveal plenty about a team early in the season.

But Mark Applegarth's message is clear: the Knights cannot be satisfied with single-point wins.

"We were obviously going into the unknown a little bit so we would definitely have taken that," he said on York's results so far. "But I still think there's a lot more in us.

"We've had to fight hard for two wins, winning by a drop goal. There are some really good lessons for us to learn there.

"A good example was week two versus Leeds. They fully capitalised on us being slightly off and put a score on us.

"If we want to be a team that does anything in this league, we've got to learn to be a little bit more ruthless when we get a team on the ropes."

In Super League, the challenges keep coming.

Warrington Wolves visit the LNER Community Stadium tonight, protecting a perfect record after impressive wins over St Helens and Wakefield Trinity.

As York learned in their recent 46-14 defeat at Headingley, they cannot afford to drop their standards.

"You've got to be consistent with not only your performances but your mentality and preparation," added Applegarth.

"There are going to be some good wins, as we've seen, and some pretty tough losses, as we've also seen. We've got to keep a level head and reset ourselves.

"The biggest challenge for us is not being a yo-yo team and make sure we build on each performance."

Among the challenges for promoted clubs is keeping their best players on the field.

The Knights came through the 17-16 win at Hull unscathed, leaving Applegarth with a nice problem ahead of Warrington's visit.

"Scott Galeano is fully in contention," said Applegarth, who must pick between the winger and last week's two-try debutant David Nofoaluma. "That gives me a bit of a selection headache in a good way.

"Jon Bennison is still not there yet but he's working hard in the background.

"Ata (Hingano) isn't far off. He might make it, he might not. He's trained a bit this week and we'll see how he reacts.

"Jesse Dee is back in full contention. He could have played against Hull but it was probably a week too early."

Like York, Warrington have quickly set about shifting the narrative amid uncertainty over Sam Burgess' future.

The Wire head coach added Steve McNamara to his backroom staff during the off-season, fuelling speculation the former England boss could soon take over.

However, the early signs have been positive for the Wolves.

"With how they've started, Sam is doing a great job," said Applegarth, who will field star prop Paul Vaughan against his former club.

"A great signing for Warrington was adding Steve McNamara to the backroom staff. Sam and Steve obviously know each other well from their time at Bradford and England. That was a real shrewd signing.

"They've started really well. They're two from two and kept the opposition scoreless in the first half of both games so they're showing up well for each other.

"They're a team full of threats. They've got the England captain (George Williams) playing for them, some really good youngsters and have signed really well.

"We know we're going to have to be at our best. It's a game we're relishing."

York return home for the first time since their famous win over defending champions Hull KR on the opening night.

It was a night when fans new and old caught a glimpse of the club's potential at the start of their Super League adventure.

Applegarth, too, has had a taste of a sold-out LNER Community Stadium and is hungry for more.

"It was a historic, special night," he said.

"Hopefully the York public will carry on getting behind us how they did that night. I can't thank the fans enough for how much they get behind our lads.

"It's an experience everyone who was there will remember. We'll just carry on trying to give York a team that they're proud of every week."