Fired-up Spencer Hargrave has issued a heartfelt plea to the York Wasps fans ahead of tomorrow's crucial visit to Rochdale Hornets.

GET BEHIND US: Wasps Spencer Hargrave has appealed to the fans

Hargrave insists the players are doing everything in their power to turn the season around after losing three out their first four games.

And he is begging supporters not to give up before they have had a chance to put things right.

In an e-mail to the Evening Press, Hargrave said: "I want to urge the fans to take the trip to Rochdale to support us.

"I know we haven't played well yet, but I'm confident we will put on a show on Sunday.

"We're training hard at the moment to put things right and only the most committed will get into Dean Robinson's side.

"All the lads at the club are ready for this must win game and we will not disappoint."

Hargrave has looked impressive in his second spell with York after signing from Castleford Tigers in the close season. Yet he has been disappointed with his own performances and knows he can do better.

"Sunday will see a different Spencer Hargrave because I have not yet found my form in the Northern Ford Premiership and I'm working hard to get it back," said the 21-year-old.

He first played for York in the 1998 season when he was farmed out to Huntington Stadium on loan from Castleford.

He returned to the Tigers last season but made just two Super League appearances, despite being named as Player of the Year in the Alliance side.

That convinced him to turn his back on Wheldon Road for good and now he is concentrating firmly on achieving success for York.

He explained: "Last time I was here I still had links with Castleford and my heart wasn't in it. I just wanted to play for Cas.

"This time it's much better and I get on a lot better with the lads. Now I want to try and get York in the Super League."

Recalling his frustrating time at Castleford, he said: "I thought I was good enough to play in the first team but there was a lot of favouritism going on.

"I didn't think I'd get my first team chance this season so I just wanted to get away and find a new challenge - and I've certainly got one now!"

Hargrave has been switched to the centres for tomorrow's trip to Spotland after playing the first four games of the season in the back row. It will be the first time he has ever played in that position for York as all his previous appearances were also in the pack.

However, it will not be a new experience as he pointed out: "Loose forward is my preferred position, but I've played a few games at centre for Cas so I know what I'm doing there.

"It's just a matter of adjusting and trying to get involved and hopefully I'll come up trumps."

Hargrave revealed the players have been training every day this week and watching videos in a bid to resolve the problems which have marred the opening games.

And he is confident the extra work will pay off tomorrow. "It's motivation we've been lacking. And we've been dropping the ball a lot," he said. "We can't hold it and that's making us do more tackling which is making our fitness bad. Hopefully we can put that right and turn things round."

Northern Ford Premiership club Sheffield Eagles have signed stand-off Marcus Vassilakopoulos, who played with the old Sheffield Super League team. He goes straight into the side for tomorrow's game at Hull KR.

Meanwhile, former Great Britain prop Paul Broadbent will make his first appearance for the new Hull Super League club against his old Halifax team-mates at the Boulevard tomorrow.

* Wasps switch roles

* Di's Diary

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