Sunday 20 July 2014 20:08, UK
Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson hopes Bradford can follow the example of the Giants by bouncing back to Super League at the first time of asking.
The Bulls saw their hopes of top-flight survival disappear on Sunday when they were beaten 52-26 at the John Smith's Stadium, a result that leaves them 13 points adrift of safety with six games remaining.
Jimmy knew the task in hand before he took the job and, if they can keep the majority of that squad together and make some useful additions, they will probably end up in that top four and fight for a place in Super League again.
Huddersfield know just how that feels having been relegated from Super League themselves in 2001; they secured promotion the following season, and last year picked up the League Leaders Shield.
Former Bradford player Anderson, a team-mate of current Bulls coach James Lowes from 1997-2003, feels his current employers offer an example of how taking a step back can be beneficial in the long run.
"At this moment in time I'm thinking more about us and next week but obviously there is some sympathy there for Bradford," he said. "I have a lot of affinity with Bradford. I had a lot of success there.
"But they are where they are for a reason. They've got some good players but it's not worked out for them this year. It's sad to see.
"Our chairman has just said it was a landmark day for this club when they had to go down and re-group and they came back stronger.
"Jimmy knew the task in hand before he took the job and, if they can keep the majority of that squad together and make some useful additions, they will probably end up in that top four and fight for a place in Super League again."
As for his own side, Anderson was happy to get back to winning ways after suffering back-to-back defeats but admits they will need to improve markedly on an error-strewn performance that saw them trail three times in the first half.
Winger Jermaine McGillvary scored a hat-trick of tries while Leroy Cudjoe landed six conversions, the centre taking on kicking duties so skipper Danny Brough could rest his injured ankle.
"Obviously the win is the key more than anything and it was god to score fifty points," he added. "I always thought we could score points but there is definite room for improvement in all areas.
"We seem to be happy at the minute to win 40-30. We've got to be more ruthless and stop conceding soft tries."
