STUART FIELDEN is determined to fire the Huddersfield Giants back to their top Super League form.
The former Great Britain prop was a notable absentee as Huddersfield’s unbeaten start to the season ended in shattering style with the shock 43-18 home defeat to Bradford Bulls.
It was a result that hit Fielden and his teammates hard.
But the vastly-experienced 33-year-old knows the Giants have the ideal opportunity to come up with the perfect response at the home of the reigning Super League champions – with Fielden looking to set the tone.
“What happened last week was unacceptable, everyone knows that,” said Fielden.
“If Bradford had been white hot and we’d played ‘okay’, we’d have taken it on the chin.
“But instead, it was a case of Bradford doing what they had to do and us being dire, which made it so much worse for us to take.
“The only saving grace is that we haven’t had to wait too long to get back out on the field and start to put things right, and I personally can’t think of any better place to do that than at Leeds tonight.
“It’s the home of the Super League champions, the stadium will be full and the atmosphere will be fantastic.
“Those are the perfect ingredients to help you raise your game, and I know that’s what the Huddersfield Giants will do tonight.
“We showed with our performance on the opening night at St Helens (when the Giants won 44-4) that we’re a quality team, and the aim is obviously to re-capture that form against Leeds.
“I’ve always enjoyed the games I’ve played at Headingley, and it has brought the best out of me in the past.
“After the events of last Sunday, I hope it can bring out the best of me again, and obviously the best out of the whole team as well.
“If that’s the case then we know we’ll give ourselves a very good shot.”
Fielden returns to the side after being rested for the clash against former club Bradford.
But even though he would have loved to have played five days ago, he also knows he’ll benefit from the break.
“It was simply down to our squad rotation policy that I didn’t play,” he added.
“And I knew a while ago I wouldn’t be playing last weekend. Baloo (head coach Paul Anderson) told me that would be the case, and it wasn’t up for debate!
“I know there’s been a fair amount of talk about my game management, particularly after my injury setbacks over the past few years, but the staff are handling me very well and I’m raring to go in every game.
“I feel fit and fresh and ready to play, and I know I will benefit from being rested.
“You always know Leeds are going to challenge you to the maximum, which means you’re going to need to be at your absolute best. I look forward to that challenge, and so does everyone else.
“I’ve been really impressed with the attitude everyone has shown to what went on against Bradford, and you can tell how hungry the whole squad is to put things right.
“We are full of respect for Leeds and what they’ve achieved, but the key for us is to focus on us and make sure we put everything right.
“That’s no easy task, because almost every aspect of our game against the Bulls was below par and just not good enough, but we know we have the quality to do it.”
