Huddersfield Giants are about to embark on a month that could define their whole 2015 Super League season.
That’s the view of head coach Paul Anderson as his fourth-placed side prepares to host third-placed Wigan Warriors at the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday (3.00).
Huddersfield then follow up with a home clash against fifth-placed Warrington Wolves seven days later before heading to eighth-placed Widnes Vikings on Sunday, June 21.
And by the time the Giants take a weekend break for the Challenge Cup quarter-finals at the end of the month, Anderson knows a far clearer play-off picture will have emerged.
“We’re really excited about what’s ahead of us over the next four or five weeks,” said Anderson.
“There’s no doubt this is a telling period for us when we’ll be playing clubs around us.
“We’re looking forward to facing Wigan this weekend, and we’ll then look forward to hosting Warrington the following week and then going to Widnes.
“We’ve then got a week off before we host Hull KR at the beginning of July, and the aim is obviously to make sure that at that stage we’re still very much in the mix at the top.
“It’s something we know we have the ability to do, even though with the players we have missing we’re looking to find a new formula to overcome their absence.
“Leroy Cudjoe, Brett Ferres, Aaron Murphy (all knee) and Chris Bailey (bicep) might be injured and Scott Grix will miss this weekend through suspension, but we still have the quality in our squad to get the job done.
“And because everyone knows the importance of this game against Wigan and the ones that follow, I expect everyone to rise to the occasion.”
Wigan underlined their title credentials with an impressive 27-12 Magic Weekend win over leaders Leeds Rhinos last Saturday.
That was in stark contrast to their performance at Catalans Dragons the week before when they were thrashed 58-18.
And Anderson was left in no doubt what the difference between the two displays was – a fact he hopes his own players have taken on board.
“Wigan have shown how quickly fortunes can change in Super League this year,” added the Giants boss. “That’s one of the positives of this season’s competition, to be fair.
“A couple of weeks ago Wigan were completely outplayed at Catalans and a week later were excellent against Leeds.
“The difference in those two games was purely down to attitude. They clearly had the right one at Magic Weekend.
“And I expect us to show the right attitude against Wigan on Sunday.
“If we do that, then we’ll give ourselves a very good chance.”
