Paul Anderson is confident the Huddersfield Giants can overcome the loss of Danny Brough and restore some lost pride in tonight’s Super League clash at in-form Castleford Tigers.
Huddersfield have been left picking up the pieces after their shattering 36-10 home defeat to Salford Red Devils six days ago.
It was result which ended a run of nine wins from their previous 10 top-flight fixtures for the sixth-placed Giants.
To add to their woes, inspirational Super League Man of Steel Brough picked up an ankle and jaw injury which has ruled him out of tonight’s derby clash against the fourth-placed Tigers (8.00), while Scott Grix (groin) and David Faiumu (shoulder and groin) are also sidelined in the wake of the Red Devils debacle.
But even though they join fellow senior players Shaun Lunt (calf) and winger Aaron Murphy (hand) on the casualty list, tonight’s makeshift squad have been given a vote of confidence by head coach Anderson.
“It’s going to be a tough ask, but I know we can do it,” said Anderson, whose side are seeking a double after edging out the Tigers 29-28 at the John Smith’s Stadium in early May.
“The key question we’re being asked is ‘can we win without Broughy?’
“He’s obviously a very good player and only time will tell, but I’m confident we can.
“The key is making sure we adapt to the loss of such a crucial player and we’ve taken steps to ensure that’s the case.
“We’re fortunate that we’ve still got two very good players in the halves in Luke Robinson and Kyle Wood, while we’ve still got a lot of quality to play around them.
“We know this is going to be a big challenge against a very good side, but after the events of last Saturday I know how determined everyone is to put things right.”They're the real surprise package of Super League 2014.
Before a ball had been thrown in anger, many were tipping Castleford Tigers to be one of the side’s who could face the threat of relegation.
But under the guidance of Daryl Powell who took over from Ian Millward during the middle of last season when Castleford were floundering at the foot of the table, the Tigers have been magnificent and thoroughly deserving of a place in the top four and in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup.
The men from the Mend-A-Hose Jungle have won 13 of their 19 League games, with heartbreaking narrow defeats to the Giants, Leeds and St Helens doing much to spoil their eye-catching record.
The Tigers, however, are far from being a side full of superstars.
Instead, they’re a rock-solid team, with Powell being able to bring the very best out of the players at his disposal.
Whether the club from Wheldon Road can maintain their challenge between now and the end of the season remains to be seen.
But they’ve already done enough in 2014 to resurrect the tag ‘Classy Cas’.
As Daryl Clark raced through to complete his hat-trick in Castleford’s 40-20 triumph at Widnes eight days ago, the cries for the 20-year-old hooker to be promoted into the England squad grew even louder.
Clark’s form throughout this season has been outstanding, with his display in front of the Sky TV cameras at the Vikings underlining to a wider audience just how much he has to offer.
His speed off the mark is electric and if the opposition is lazy around the ruck, Clark will make them pay.
The highly-talented youngster has always had the ability, and coach Daryl Powell has found a way to bring the very best out of him.
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