Huddersfield Giants Facing Challenges as Season Progresses
The Huddersfield Giants are navigating a difficult spell in their Super League campaign, as pressure mounts on the underperforming side. After propelling themselves into play-off contention earlier in the year, a run of just one win in six matches has seen the Giants slide down the league table once again.
Prior to the break for the Challenge Cup final, head coach Ian Watson was compelled to staunchly defend his position at the club, with fans voicing their criticism over the team’s recent performances. Earlier this season, star half-back Jake Connor’s attitude also came under scrutiny following a narrow defeat against St Helens.
In recent days, reports had emerged that Connor had been made available for loan, having dropped out of the Giants’ starting lineup in recent games. Now, speaking to BBC West Yorkshire Sport, Watson has addressed the rumours surrounding Connor’s future with the club.
“Jake’s not been in our starting team. He’s a high-quality player, he’s going to want to play games, so, he’s here at the moment, he’s in the squad, he’s been training with us today. But, at some point, he’s probably going to have a little look if he’s not playing. Because, like how we want to keep Matty English fit, Jake’s not going to want to not play. He’s a player who wants to play.”
Watson acknowledged that Connor is “not happy” about his lack of game time with the Giants. The head coach recognized that the talented player may need to pursue a loan move elsewhere to maintain his fitness levels, drawing parallels to Matty English’s recent temporary switch to the Castleford Tigers.
While Watson asserted that Connor remains under contract with the Giants, he acknowledged the natural ebbs and flows that players experience in their careers. “Rugby is a massive roller coaster, nobody’s exempt from that,” the head coach stated.
As the Huddersfield Giants navigate this challenging period, the team and its fanbase will be hoping for a swift turnaround in fortunes, with Watson and his players working to address the issues at hand.
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