Huddersfield Giants in my view


Full Back 10/10
With Brett Hodgson reigning MOS and talisman we have probably the best FB in the competition his main compewtition being from Greenshields and Webb. The advantage that we have is that we have Cudjoe at back up he seems to be playing well .


Wingers 7/10
Probably our weakest position. Hodgson occupies one wing and whilst being solid is not spectacular. Cudjoe on the other looks good but with him going to full back we have had to swap players around a bit. Time for on eof the kids to step up and make a mark

Centres 8/10
Whatuira and Lolesi have been excellent this year. Solid in defence and exciting in attack. However it is Lawrence he has caught the eye with his defensive play. I still compare him to Gary Connolly in defence. If he can develop the attacking skills will really kick on.

Half Backs 7/10

Brown has been outstanding at 6. taking on the line and improving his kicking no end. Robinson is playing well but looks more like a hooker at 6, quick braks, runs from Dummy half rather than an organising creative no 7. Grix has provided good cover. Brough would improve this position no end.

Props 8.5/10
Losing Mason at the start of the season had us all in a state of panic. We only had 4 props and one was a pumped up second row. But Larne Patrick has been in stunning form. 3 tries in 5 games is a good strike rate. We have Eorl and Griffin which give us plenty of grunt and go forward. My only concern is if we get a few more injuries.

Hooker 9.5/10
I would argue Lunt has been the best hooker so far in SL. With faiumu, Drew and Robinson providing back up we have a variety of styles, skills and back up in this position.

Second Row/Loose Forward 9/10
Gilmour and Fa alogo have been outstanding and seem to be getting better every game. Add in faiumu and Aspinwall we have 4 players who all have made an impact this year. If that is strong enough how will Steven Wild and Danny Kirmond get back in the team.

Squad Depth
We genuinely have a superb squad this year. Not indavidually great players but all of whom play as a team and do not provide a weak link. Never have i seen a Giants team with as much quality in the squad. At the begining of the season we have had Hodgson, Mason, Drew, Wild and Kirmond out injured. 5 first team players yet we have hardly missed them in fact of those only Hodgson would be likely to come back into the team straight away. Competition for places should kep all players on their toes.

Coach 10/10 the best in Sl at the minute.

Chairman 10/10 Ken Davy. had a vision had a plan and is now making it pay.

Great contribution

Dream on. Maguire is by far the best coach in SL at the moment.

I agree with Durham Giant.

I'm sorry but if we're all seeing how high we can up the wall for our respective clubs then if Tony Smith can get Warrington to actually defend and win games more than they lose them then surely he is the best coach knocking about.

We finished 10th last year!

A good analysis of our side up until this point Bilko. Sean O'loughlin is the most creative loose forward in Super League. So far this season he has seven try assists to his name which is joint top with our own Sam Tomkins and Huddersfield bound Danny Brough. It's a fantastic effort from a loose forward. Last week against Hull FC he setup four tries for us. Lockers has always been a clever attacking player and is not just a workhorse like some supporters and sections of the media make him out to be. Sure his defence is awesome, but he is just as good in attack. I admit he has got better as the years have gone on, but it has always been a part of his game IMO. I think that the legacy of Andy Farrell, coupled with the fact he got a lot of responsibility as a young captain placed on him, I think people have subsequently overlooked this part of his game and he has just been an easy target to place some of the flak on when other players aren't pulling their weight around. Now that Lockers is in a better team, certainly the media, are starting to take a bit more notice of his efforts and maybe gradually certain supporters will. The GB/England selectors have always picked him and Radlinski mentioned him in his book as being a very clever player and says that he doesn't deserve some of the stick he has recieved from our supporters (not getting at you here). I'll get shot down for it of course, but Lockers would be a candidate for Man Of Steel IMO if he keeps this form up.

Keighley

Full Back 7.5/10
George Raynor solid and dependable. Dan Belcher looks an outstanding prospect

Wing 3/10
Not big enough or strong enough for this division. Vulnerable in defence. Lack experience

Centres 5/10
Daley Williams good enough for this level but beyond that they seem to struggle in defence against bigger and stronger players.

Half Backs 8/10
Jonny Presley and Danny Jones make a great combination. Presley great running stand off in the mould of Danny McGuire but struggles in defence due to lack of size. Lacks self belief in his huge talent. Jones scrum half with a really good passing game, however kicking out of hand can be aimless at times.

Props 4/10
Can't fault their effort but only Brendan Rawlins is really big enough to play prop at this level. Scott Law would make good 2nd rower though.

Hookers 6/10
Jermaine Wray is explosive and dynamic. James Feather a good leader of the team. James Haythornthwaite is a very good prospect.

2nd Row/Loose 4/10
Again very committed but lack size for Championship level. Give far too many penalties away.

Squad Depth 5/10
Should our half backs get injured we're really stuffed. We've 3 or 4 youngsters with potential and some forwards in reserve who will do a decent job.

Coach 9/10
Barry Eaton is one of the best young coaches in the game. Has been loyal to the club despite tough financial times and has turned down an offer from another club. He's led Keighley from being one of the weaker Championship 1 clubs to the Championship. New signings don't seem to have improved the squad much, team gives away far too many penalties away in games.

Chairman 8/10
Has only taken over recently but has endeared himself to the fans by being very open and receptive towards us and is taking on board and implementing suggestions made by the fans to improve the club. Some of his own ideas and aspirations could be seen as over ambitious.

edited for accuracy

Well our 3 games against you this season will determine that. see you at Murrayfield.