 Crusaders coach Dixon is searching for that elusive first Super League win |
Celtic Crusaders coach John Dixon admits that a trip to Huddersfield Giants is a tough task to try and find their first win in Super League. The Welsh side travel to the Galpharm Stadium on Friday night (1930 BST) with the Giants riding high in the table. "They are a quality team that are going very well," Dixon said. "They currently sit third in the competition and they are in good form and they'll be really stern opposition for us." Crusaders' rocky start to their debut season in Super League has not been helped by injuries in key positions. It is a casualty list that the Bridgend-based club has found hard to absorb because of the limited depth of their squad. Crusaders are still missing Darren Mapp, Mark Lennon, Matty Smith, Geraint Davies and Jace Van Dijk, while Tony Duggan joined them on the sidelines after taking a knock in last week's loss at Hull KR. "No Van Dijk, no Smith, no Lennon going to Huddersfield on Friday - that's a problem for us," Dixon admitted.  | 606: DEBATE |
"We made some adjustments last week with Pete Lupton and Damien Quinn. "We think they'll be better for the effort, we didn't have the continuity and the flowing attack we would've liked, we are hoping that the experience of last time against the Robins will stand them in good stead for Friday. "There's no one in this club who isn't doing their damnedest to come up with some results. "As a club we can't get wrapped up in that, we can't be thinking that's the only thing that's driving us forward. We've got to get better and right across the board. "We have got to develop more young players, we've got to get more people into the ground to come and watch us play, we've got to develop a great corporate support and following. "All these things are targets for the Crusaders, winning games of footy is a target and something that the players are striving and preparing to do as best they can. "As a coach, I'm not going to be bearing down, or ranting and raving and screaming because they can't get the win here and there that they are looking for. "It's something we have got to work at and it's a long-term process for us." Despite losing all six of their Super League matches so far, Dixon says that morale is still strong in the squad. That will be tested fully over the Bank Holiday weekend, with Friday's game in Yorkshire followed by a home clash with Harlequins RL on Monday (1500 BST kick-off). "Monday's home game against Harlequins will be a massive occasion for us and that's one we are looking forward to again," Dixon added. Crusaders skipper Van Dijk hopes to be back for the Brewery Field clash against Quins. "Super League is a lot more even than it's ever been now," Van Dijk said. "Huddersfield are near the top and Harlequins are pushing for a place amongst the top sides too. "You've got a lot of teams who have been mid-table over the last few years that are now competing well with Leeds and St Helens. We hope to be amongst them very soon. "It has been a tough start for us. We're competing for 80 minutes at a higher intensity. "Competing for a full game is what counts in Super League. Maybe in the National Leagues you could have dropped off for five minutes but if you do that in Super League you get punished. "Sticking in there for 80 minutes is what we've founded toughest so far but we're getting there. It won't be long before we get our first win."
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