Warrington Wolves keen for improvement in attack and defence

Miserly defence was combined with sharp and clinical attack to allow The Wire to win the first eight games of their season, providing the foundation for the position they currently find themselves in.

During that period, they were scoring 31.5 points and conceding exactly 12 on average per game as they motored clear at the top of the table.

Warrington scored an average of 31.5 points per game in winning their first eight Super League matches (Image: Mike Boden)

However, recent weeks have shown signs of regression both in terms of results and performances.

They have lost four of their past six Super League games – including back-to-back losses to Hull FC and Leigh Leopards in recent weeks – and in that time, their average points scored per game has halved (15.8) and the same figure for points conceded has almost doubled (22.1).

While they still find themselves in a healthy position in the upper echelons of the table, it is clear improvement is needed at both ends to stay there.

Sunday’s Magic Weekend loss to Hull FC was Wire’s fourth in their last six Super League games (Image: SWPix.com)

“We had a meeting the other day with the decision-makers talking about the things we need to improve,” head coach Daryl Powell when asked what was being done to reverse the trend ahead of Saturday’s clash with Huddersfield Giants.

“We trained on Wednesday and it was a good session – there was a lot of good detail in there around improving our attacking play, which we feel like we need to do.

“In good attacking positions, we’re not quite as clinical as we have been in the past.

“That and our tryline defence are the things we’ve talked about improving. We started great last week in the first half, but the start to the second half was what ended up losing us the game.”

Standing in the way of said improvement is a Huddersfield side who are equally as desperate for two points for their own reasons.

After some eye-catching off-season recruitment, the Giants were tipped as challengers for silverware but currently sit down in 10th after being thrashed 48-6 by St Helens at Magic Weekend.

Huddersfield were thrashed 48-6 by St Helens at Magic Weekend (Image: SWPix.com)

Eight defeats from their 13 games – including a 26-16 loss to The Wire in February’s reverse fixture – leaves them four points adrift of the top six as they make the trip to Cheshire.

However, Powell’s focus is squarely on what his side can produce as opposed to what is coming the other way.

“Everything this week is just about us – we’re looking for our mojo, our vibe and our speed of game as well as getting our defensive effort back,” he said.

“We know what Huddersfield are going to do – they’ve been pretty consistent over the past few years in terms of what they throw at you.

“They’ve got their own selection issues around half and full-back, but we’ll deal with looking after ourselves.”

The reverse fixture between the sides at the John Smith’s Stadium in February saw Wire win 26-16, with Matty Ashton scoring twice (Image: PA)