Proud Huddersfield Giant Michael Lawrence knows his hometown club can beat Warrington Wolves – despite what the Super League XXI table shows.
Even though it’s top v bottom as former Giants boss Tony Smith’s League leaders head to the John Smith’s Stadium tomorrow night (8.00), back-row forward Lawrence has made it clear no-one in the home camp is feeling daunted by the prospect.
Huddersfield may have lost nine of their opening 10 2016 top-flight fixtures, while the Wolves have won eight of theirs.
But Lawrence, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday, is totally convinced those statistics will count for absolutely nothing at 8pm tonight.
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“We still believe 100% we can turn things around, and nobody within the club would be surprised if we start to turn it around tomorrow night,” said the former Newsome Panthers junior.
“Whatever has happened over the past few months, we still believe 100% in ourselves as players and in our ability.
“We know we are a good team, and we also know the reason we’re in this position is down to ourselves rather than the opposition. It’s through the mistakes we’re making rather than our opponents being better than us.
“That’s why we are able to keep as positive as we possibly can under these circumstances, because we know the key to turning it around lies in our own hands.
“But we also know how very easily the messages we’re having to send out at the moment could have been completely different.
“You’ve got to remember that a number of the games we’ve lost has been by four points or less, with us literally throwing those games away.
“If we’d have won them rather than lost them, then we’d have been in the top four rather than being stuck at the bottom. That’s how close the margins are.
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“We also know if we do put together an 80-minute performance we can beat anyone in this competition, including Warrington.
“That’s definitely our aim tomorrow night.”
And Lawrence is well aware a win over the Wolves would help silence some of the critics and slow down the rumour train.
“We hear all this criticism and all these rumours, and we just can’t believe how much rubbish is being spouted,” added the former England Knights ace.
Have a look at the Giants' season so far below
“It’s amazing how all this seems to die down the minute you start winning again.
“Because I still live in Huddersfield and regularly go into town, I very often get the chance to talk to fans and put them straight on certain things. I’ve always got bags of time for the supporters.
“But, as I say, I know winning is the only way to stop all the idle gossip.
“All I know is that we are sticking together, we do all believe in what we’re doing, we will turn it around and that fitness isn’t the issue, despite what some may think. Doing too much defending because we can’t hold onto the ball is the biggest issue for us, that’s the root cause of the problem.
“Put that right, and we’ll be all right. Everyone in this club knows that.”
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Lawrence is again expected to start in the back row as part of a Giants side that will show at least three changes to the one that suffered the 37-20 defeat at in-form Huil FC last Friday night.
Forwards Eorl Crabtree (abdomen) and Larne Patrick (illness) miss out, while on-loan winger Gene Ormsby isn’t allow to play against his full-time employer.
Fit-again hooker/half-back Kyle Wood is ready to return after missing the last three games with a groin problem, while prop Tyler Dickinson and centre Sam Wood have been called up.
Warrington are looking in good shape for the trip, although they are still without last month’s Player of the Month Chris Sandow with a hamstring injury.
