THE mind games are in full swing as the clock ticks down to Sunday's play-off showdown between Leigh Centurions and Salford City Reds.

Newly-appointed Director of Rugby, Alex Murphy, says he won't be at the game; Salford reckon he'll be there!

But Murphy, speaking from his holiday home on the French Riviera, insisted he won't be at the game and only returns to England next Wednesday.

Despite Murphy's denials Reds' football director Steve Simms is convinced Murphy will be at The Willows to oversee operations for what promises to be a cracking contest. "I bet he's there," said Simms.

Murphy has been in regular touch with his coaching team, Tommy Martyn and Norman Turley and reckons Leigh can book a third Grand Final place in four years if they have the right self-belief.

"They don't need to win this game for me or anyone else, they must do it for themselves, the fans and the directors.

"I fancy our chances. It would be nice to return from holiday knowing we are on our way to the Grand Final."

Murphy added: "Too many quality players at Leigh have possibly had the clamps on them. We have simply told them to now just go out and start expressing themselves more with the ball.

"These are good players, but they have possibly been brainwashed and baffled by too much science. Everyone was full of game plans, but there is no need to complicate matters.

"I keep hearing that some coaches are now telling players not to think and never play an off-the-cuff style. They demand that a set plan is stuck to. This is wrong.

"I believe you play it as you see it and adapt accordingly. I am sure hitting the iceberg was not part of the plan or in the script for the captain of the Titanic - if he could have avoided it, he would.

"Self-belief counts for a great deal in sport. We have to show this because we have been in contention in previous games with Salford for around an hour."

But the extra ingredient of Murphy's appointment has added considerable spice to what was already a tasty tie.

"They've been talking about the Murphy Factor all week," says Leigh Director of Rugby. "If it's done that, then we've certainly given them something to think about. They won't know really what to expect."

Sunday's clash may well be a dress rehearsal for the Grand Final. The losers have a second bite at the cherry by playing the winners of Sunday's tie between Rochdale Hornets and Hull KR on home soil.

Fans should note the early kick off time of 1.45pm at the Willows.