Everyone knows by now the details of Huddersfield's chequered recent past. So in the spirit of the game - something they might not fully comprehend - we thought we'd be nice to them in this week's Sunday's Coming.

So, we welcome the team formerly known as Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants to Spotland for this weekend's Buddies National League Cup Fixture. And a particularly warm welcome back to Rochdale to Rob Roberts and Heath Cruckshank who were here as recently as last week getting heavily fined at the Magistrates court for a drunken racist attack on a motorist last December.
Cruckshank was fined £350 with £75 costs for public disorder, driving without due care and attention and driving whilst over the limit. He was also banned from driving for a year. Roberts was fined £200 with £75 costs for racially aggravated threatening and disorderly behaviour. Nice.

In our recent trip to the McAlpine, Hornets were given quite an abrupt lesson in clinical finishing by Huddersfield. Head and shoulders above everything else we've encountered this season, their thumping of Leigh a week later put our - and their - performance in perspective.

And everything goes through Stanley Gene. This nuggety dynamo took us to pieces on several occasions at the Big Mac, and he'll need some very careful attention indeed on Sunday if we are to get within a spit of the Giants. But it's not a one-man show.

In Hefin O'Hare and Eorl Crabtree (two names that will get you good scores at Scrabble) they have a lethal combination of pace and power. Intererestingly, they could find themselves opposite Casey Mayberry and Wayne McHugh - whose strength and speed should set up an interesting contest. Up front, big fat Jeff Wittenberg proved that it really is possible to run all that weight as he caused us all sorts of problems last time - and with Cruckshank and Roberts playing with conviction(s), they've a more than decent mix of skill and aggression.

Last week's decisive win against Oldham provided good pointers to Huddersfield's defensive ability - keeping the Biffs tryless until the 76th minute, the bulk of their 16 points coming from the boot of Barber. But in conceding ten penalties - five of them turned into points - the Midgets also revealed that discipline's hardly their strongest suit. So if we maintain good discipline whilst Huddersfield feel compelled to transgress, there could be a chink of a chance.

Bad news for us is that livewire halfback Chris Thorman and veteran goalkicker Steve McNamara could both be back from injury to face us on Sunday. Oh joy.

But the forecast's not all bleak. The somewhat makeshift look of Hornets' side at Ram Stadium last week didn't really make for lucid rugby league. Martin Hall should be looking to put a more familiar side on the park on Sunday, but will be waiting to hear on Stevo, Damian Ball and Latham Tawhai who all suffered injuries courtesy of the Rams' rock hard lunar playing surface. It could see Andy Ireland, Darren Robinson and Steve Gartland waiting in the wings.

If Hornets do take to the field with real intent on Sunday, it should make for an interesting contest. There's no way we could play as badly against this lot again and if we find the digit extracted at 3.00 we live in hope of pride salvaged, at least.

In the unusual context of the National Cup competition, Sunday's game throws together the unbeaten sides in the Central Group and will probably decide the winner. For followers of form Huddersfield have scored 124 points thus far and conceded 32 - a difference of 92; Hornets have scored 21 and conceded 19 - a difference of two. Interesting.

Whilst the Buddies National League Cup might be considered a bit of an incidental sideshow, it does offer a great opportunity to right earlier wrongs and wreak revenge on those who deserve it. If we start with the gun on Sunday and get amongst them, we have a chance. If we arse about and go two or three scores behind, it'll be an... er... more difficult task. All we ask is that Hornets players give 100% - if they show pride and passion and still lose by 40, true supporters will be happy. It's up to us to give 100% as well and get behind the lads - if we play a blinder too, who knows what might happen. It's an intriguing contest. See you there.

Oh, and Mr Thewlis - was that ok?