Huddersfield Giants boss Paul Anderson answers the questions put by Examiner RL writer Chris Roberts.
After the excellent win over Warrington, how positive is the mood inside the camp right now?
"It is good, there’s no doubt about it.
"After the defeat to Wigan and the Magic Weekend draw against Catalans the week before, it was very important we returned to winning ways to make sure we maintained our position in the top four.
"Had we been beaten, we would have found ourselves down in sixth and with some momentum having been lost.
"Instead, we beat Warrington to stay fourth, secured our first double over them in the Super League era and ensured our form, and results, over the past couple of months would have been as good as any in the competition.
"It also means that with five rounds of the regular Super League season remaining, securing that top-four finish is completely in our own hands. If we win all five, it will be guaranteed.
"Clearly, it’s not going to be easy.
"We’ve three big challenges away from home, at Widnes on Sunday and then at St Helens and Catalans, as well as games at the John Smith’s Stadium against Hull KR and Wakefield.
"They all pose different types of threats and we’ve got to be ready to make sure we do what’s required on the day.
"But, as always, we’re taking things week by week – that’s been the case all year – so going to Widnes and playing to our full potential is all we’re focusing on right now."
But everyone must be feeling confident of success after the nature of last week’s win?
"Yes we are, especially given the way we played in the second half. It was a very good effort.
"Defensively, we were, in the main, pretty good.
"We conceded one soft try close to the line, while Warrington’s two other tries came off ricochets from kicks, which often involves a fair bit of luck to finish them off.
"At the same time, we also scored a fair few tries – and tries off nice build-up play – which hasn’t always been the case this year.
"In fact, in our two wins over Warrington, we managed 29 points at their place earlier in the year and 30 back home on Sunday, and that’s no mean feat against a side like that.
"Having said that, I was still forced to use the analogy straight after the game of our performance being a bit of the ‘Good, the Bad and the Ugly’, because on a number of occasions we were unable to back up good things with more good things.
"We don’t want to see a repeat of this at Widnes on Sunday. We want to see a performance where we build on the good things we’re doing from the start."
Was another positive to come out of the Warrington win the fact that you were able to secure such an excellent victory without half-a-dozen senior players?
"Yes, it was a sign of some of the depth we possess.
"But it does mean we’ve got a fair headache in terms of team selection this week, with Leroy Cudjoe and Brett Ferres back in full training following knee injuries and Aaron Murphy also not too far away.
"The key this week is making sure we get the right balance in the side to make sure we build on that Warrington win.
"There’s certainly no point going to Widnes and not backing up what we did against Warrington last weekend."
So how tough would it be to make changes, because no-one let you down on Sunday, did they?
"No they didn’t.
"Everyone contributed to what we did, which has always been the key to our success.
"On an individual note, I know everyone was once again talking about Jared Simpson, and he deserves all the plaudits he gets.
"But I thought Jake Connor had one of his better games, and certainly remains in consideration to keep his place in the centres, despite the potential return of Leroy.
"Jake seems to be a player who can get under the skin of the opposition – and mine at times as well, if I’m honest! – but that’s no bad thing.
"I found it amusing the other day when Jake walked off the field after being sin-binned against Warrington and was getting some stick off the players on their bench. All he did was give it back to them with interest, and looked to be enjoying it.
"In fact, he seems to be enjoying his time in our Super League side, full stop – whatever position he plays.
"Even though he’s played for us in the centres in the past few months, we’re still not entirely sure what his best position is.
"He’s also done well for us at full-back, stand-off and on the wing, with this versatility often being the case when a young player first breaks into the senior side.
"It really will be interesting watching the ways things developed."
Finally, after sitting out a couple of games to make way for Kyle Wood, how well did you think Jamie Ellis took his chance against the Wolves?
"He responded well.
"The challenge he’s always faced in the team is that we’ve a very dominant half-back in the side in Broughy.
"Obviously, one of Jamie’s roles is to take some of the pressure off Broughy in the kicking department, which is exactly what he did the other day.
"Jamie is prepared to take on the opposition line – as does Woody – but he has got something extra with his kicking game."
