Eagles need to aim to be more consistent, says hooker Andrew Henderson as new Co-operative Championship season kick-off nears.

Widnes Vikings come to Bramall Lane on Sunday (13 March) followed by a trip to newly-promoted York City Knights four days later.

“We need to be putting in performances because I don’t think we’ve performed to the best of our abilities,” said Henderson. “Widnes then York, at their place, is tough.”

“The Co-operative Championship is getting stronger each year, any of the teams in the competition is capable of making the top six - and you always have the threat of relegation.”

Henderson’s experience will be a key element if the Eagles are to make the top six play-offs at the end of the season.

He said: “I try to focus on doing the little things right and hopefully the people around me can follow that.  It comes down to consistency, when things are going right you still have to be focused.”

Unconvincing performances in the early season sparring in the Northern Rail Cup group stages produced only one win.

An 82-0 crushing of the Leeds Met University in the Challenge Cup gave the Eagles a good run out but Widnes will be a very different proposition to a student team.

Scottish international Henderson knows the real work starts against Widnes. The Vikings are unbeaten in all competitions this season and are the favourites to be given a Super League licence for 2012.

Henderson said: “It seems nailed on that it will be Widnes that will go into the Super League, and probably rightly so.”

“I’ve been really impressed by Widnes and Leigh in the Rail Cup games and Halifax and Featherstone will be up there.”�

Henderson, joined the Eagles just before last season’s transfer deadline after spells with Castleford, Gateshead and Barrow.

He said: “We’ve had a few squad changes and a few young lads been given an opportunity but it’s still not an excuse for not putting in good performances.”�

“The main focus for us is to be consistent throughout the year, we don’t want to be going in spits and spurts.

Jim Collins