giant strides
I'm looking forward to my first live sight of Huddersfield for a few weeks on Saturday.
With all due respect to Wakefield and Castleford, the Giants are the success story of the season so far. To be running second as they go into this weekend's meeting with Leeds is already a major achievement.
But, my word, teams don't like losing to them, do they?
Terry Matterson had a right rant when they beat Cas, Brian NOble had plenty to say and last game it was Justin Morgan's turn. It's as though a defeat by Huddersfield must have some sinister underlying cause - usually involving the referee not doing his job properly.
The specific complaint has been that the Giants are slowing down the play-the-ball with wrestling techniques on the ground. From what I've seen of them this season, they are just doing what everyone else sets out to do, but doing it a bit better.
I think you have to look elsewhere for the reasons for their success. Like Brett Hodgson being the outstanding overseas signing this year. Like kevin Brown and Luke Robinson growing into the half-back combination they promised to be as young kids together at Wigan. Like the emergeance of Michael Lawrence as a home-grown back of real potential. Like them looking particularly well coached by Nathan Brown.
It is in that little lot, I would suggest, that we will find the reason why Huddersfield could just be top of Super League on Saturday night.
With all due respect to Wakefield and Castleford, the Giants are the success story of the season so far. To be running second as they go into this weekend's meeting with Leeds is already a major achievement.
But, my word, teams don't like losing to them, do they?
Terry Matterson had a right rant when they beat Cas, Brian NOble had plenty to say and last game it was Justin Morgan's turn. It's as though a defeat by Huddersfield must have some sinister underlying cause - usually involving the referee not doing his job properly.
The specific complaint has been that the Giants are slowing down the play-the-ball with wrestling techniques on the ground. From what I've seen of them this season, they are just doing what everyone else sets out to do, but doing it a bit better.
I think you have to look elsewhere for the reasons for their success. Like Brett Hodgson being the outstanding overseas signing this year. Like kevin Brown and Luke Robinson growing into the half-back combination they promised to be as young kids together at Wigan. Like the emergeance of Michael Lawrence as a home-grown back of real potential. Like them looking particularly well coached by Nathan Brown.
It is in that little lot, I would suggest, that we will find the reason why Huddersfield could just be top of Super League on Saturday night.