SIMON Grix believes a change in attitude has been key to Wolves' turnaround since the arrival of Tony Smith.

Smith was appointed head of coaching and rugby when the club were stuck in an eight-game losing run, having suffered defeat in their first three games of the campaign.

But since then, they have won eight of their last 13 games and, more importantly, performances have improved dramatically.

Wins against Hull and Wigan in their last two games highlighted that, with those results built on a newfound defensive stability.

Grix credited the impact Smith has had in bringing about that change, both in the team and individuals, especially by instilling a new attitude at Warrington.

He said: "We’ve progressed steadily so far, we’ve got better every week.

"He keeps everyone informed with what they’re doing well and what they’re doing badly.

"He’s a confident bloke, he believes in himself, and that passes on to everyone else.

"We’ve worked hard on our defence. We’ve still got a lot left in us yet but it’s just coming together slowly.

"We were pretty tight against Wigan.

"We’ve not made massive changes to the way we defend, it’s just attitude.

"Our attitude has changed and with the help of Tony we’ve made subtle changes to the way we go about it."

Buoyed by recent results, Grix is looking forward to tomorrow's Challenge Cup quarter final at Hull KR.

Although he is excited by the prospect of progressing in the prestigious competition, he is well aware that will not be an easy task.

Rovers currently sit second in Super League, having won five games in a row, and it is the kicking game of deadly half back pairing Michael Dobson and Paul Cooke that Grix is most wary of.

He said: "Dobson’s a good kicker and they’ve got Cooke as well. You’ve not just got to look for long kicks but attacking kicks as well.

"There’s plenty we’ve got to watch out for.

"You only get a chance to play in finals a few times in your career and they’re the pinnacle of your career.

"That’s what you play for so it would be nice to make it, whether that’s now or in the next few years."