After a bizarre game in which the Huddersfield Giants managed to score 40 points and still lose ending their Challenge Cup hopes in 2023, Ian Watson reflected on the defeat.
Watson was pleased to see that his side were in better shape than in recent weeks and highlighted the return of key players as making that difference and explaining the Giants’ woes lately.
“That was miles better. That was miles better. You can look at the defence, especially early doors, but we got control of that part way through the first half,” he said on Viaplay.
“There were a lot more pleasing signs than we have seen in the last three weeks.
“It helps when you start to get players back.”
He highlighted key men Joe Greenwood and Theo Fages:
“It was Joe Greenwood’s first game back and I thought he was outstanding, Theo was great as well on his return.
“We will be better on the back of that.
“We have had it tough in all areas but that is kind of no excuse because we wanted to be better than that and we felt we had a good enough squad to cover that so it has probably shown that the squad isn’t as good as we thought but you have to deal with it and move on.
“Today I think there were a lot of signs that we are going in the right direction.”
Looking ahead to their next game against Castleford Tigers, Watson said:
“Two teams that are doing it tough and are going to come up against each other. One of them has to get a win and hopefully it is us.”
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