Thursday 12 June 2014 13:51, UK
Leeds coach Brian McDermott is hoping his side can maintain their unbeaten home record in Super League when they host Huddersfield on Thursday evening.
However, the Rhinos go into the Headingley game in something of a slump after losing two of their last three league matches and surviving a scare against Leigh in the Challenge Cup last weekend.
"Our performances haven't been great these last two weeks. We're concerned about that,” said McDermott, whose side have won all nine of their home league and cup matches this term.
"We've been in some fantastic form this year and maintaining that was always going to be difficult. I knew we'd have a blip.
“I don't know if this is our blip but we've had two performances below par, especially against Leigh. That's something we're going to try to rectify.
"We've got a burning desire to keep that unbeaten record at home but at the moment we've got a burning desire just to play well tomorrow night. If we play really well, usually the result takes care of itself."
Huddersfield, who won last year's league leaders shield, had a shaky start to the season but they have won six of their last seven matches and have a proud record against the Rhinos.
The Giants had won five consecutive matches with their neighbours until drawing with them at the John Smith's Stadium in March and have won on their last three visits to Headingley.
"Huddersfield are a very good team," McDermott said. "We've had a good week's preview on them this week.
"They've got one of the most balanced squads in the game, if you look at their attack lines, the strength of their pack and the potency of their outside backs and they've got some fantastic halves.
"They've been building since the days of Jon Sharp and the addition of Brett Ferres has given their whole pack a bit of presence. They've got our respect."
Watch Leeds take on Huddersfield live on Sky Sports 2 at 8pm on Thursday evening.
