EORL CRABTREE says the Giants can forget about Challenge Cup glory if they don’t improve 100%.
Huddersfield’s season hit a low point with Sunday’s 36-0 Super League XVI thrashing at struggling Bradford Bulls – a fourth away defeat on the trot.
It was hardly the form the Giants were hoping to take into tomorrow’s Carnegie quarter-final clash at Castleford (3.30).
And England prop Crabtree admits if the Giants don’t get their act together, they can forget about reaching the last four of rugby league’s most famous knockout competition and keep alive their Wembley final dream.
“I’m not ashamed to admit we were in a bit of a state of depression after that Bradford defeat,” said Crabtree.
“None of us saw that coming, and it came as a hammer blow to everyone.
“We’re just hoping and praying that it can now act as a wake-up call and spark us back into life.
“If it doesn’t we can forget about getting any further in the Challenge Cup, that’s for sure.
“We know that if we get back to our best form and play to our full potential, we’ll have too much for Cas tomorrow. If we don’t, then that could be it.”
After losing two Challenge Cup finals with his hometown club, the 28-year-old is desperate to make it third time lucky.
“I’ve had a great career here, but I’m still waiting for that first major medal,” added Crabtree.
“We do have the ability to win, we all know that, but we’ll only do that if we really knuckle down.
“Getting to a Cup final is one of the greatest feelings in the world, although to lose one can be the worst.
“I’ve really set my heart on reaching a final again and this time winning one, and I’d love to think that dream will still be alive after we’ve been to Cas tomorrow.”
The semi-final draw is 5pm tomorrow.
