CAUTIOUS Leeds centre Keith Senior is bracing himself for a battle against a `desperate' Huddersfield Giants side at the Galpharm Stadium on Sunday (4.30).
The Great Britain ace is well aware his top-of-the-table Super League side are red-hot favourites to pick up the points against his hometown club.
But with the Giants determined to hold on to their top six play-off spot for the remainder of the season, the former Huddersfield YMCA junior is expecting to do battle against a fired-up side.
"As someone who still lives in the town, I was delighted with the start the Giants made to the season," he said.
"But I have been equally disappointed to see the way their results have fallen away in the last few months.
"It's obviously now got to the stage where a play-off spot is no guarantee, with Wakefield and Warrington catching them up.
"And I believe that makes them a dangerous side to play.
"These will be desperate times for the Giants, and this is when teams take desperate measures.
"They've worked tremendously hard to earn a top six spot and they won't want to see all that hard work go to waste in the last six or seven weeks of the season.
"They proved when they beat us at the McAlpine last season that you can no longer take a win against the Giants for granted.
"Fortunately, I was out injured that day and didn't know what it was like to taste defeat.
"But with the game having been played in front of the Sky TV cameras I know the defeat hit the boys hard.
"With this match again being shown on Sky it's the chance to get our own back."
Huddersfield were coached on that occasion by Tony Smith, who is now, of course, Senior's boss at Headingley.
And the 28-year-old believes the Australian has made a massive impact.
"Tony's philosophy has been to make sure we do all the little things right," he added.
"When he first arrived we all went right back to the basics, which for a team full of internationals was something of a culture shock.
"But the approach has certainly paid off.
"Under Tony we've got a far more positive work ethic and do a lot more work off the ball.
"I also believe he's made me a far better player, and that's added to my confidence."
