Huddersfield Giants head coach Ian Watson has laid a marker down for his chargers: the play-offs should be a minimum target.
Those comments follow in the wake of Huddersfield’s poor showing in 2021, where the club finished in ninth position after a poor start to the season.
Watson’s men managed to improve steadily throughout the back end of the year, with the likes of Will Pryce and Olly Ashall-Bott impressing thoroughly.
And, now the former Salford Red Devils boss is keen for his side to kick on.
“We want to get to the play-offs, Huddersfield haven’t been in there for a few years,” Watson told BBC Radio Leeds.
“We knew we were short going into last year in certain areas and I feel we are better equipped this year.
“The play-offs should be a minimum as a group but that comes down to how we choose to perform as a group.
“The way the players are going around with the team-first mentality will put is in good stead to hopefully make those play-off positions.”
Watson was able to lure both Tui Lolohea and Theo Fages to the John Smith’s Stadium for 2022 and he has been told by other players that the former is a special talent.
“I always like to keep a level head on it but some of the things in training I’ve seen have been outstanding.
“Tui had been with us a week and one of the other players said he is a different gravy to what he’s seen before.
“I’ve seen Theo first-hand and know how he can control a team – I think he was under-appreciated, not by the St Helens players, but by other people.”
