TEN big games to go, ten games to decide Hull KR's fortunes in a season which has already had its share of highs and lows.
Despite an injury-plagued season which has robbed his side of key players – with two still yet to make an appearance – coach Craig Sandercock's Robins currently hold that last play-off place.
Sitting on 16 points, level with seventh-place Bradford and just a point in front of St Helens in ninth, it promises to be a nip and tuck race with the trio fighting it out for the final two spots.
In recent years, 26 points has been enough to make the play-offs, which would suggest another five wins should see KR achieve their goal of making the eight.
Looking down the fixture list, though, finding those five wins is no easy task.
Rovers only have four home games remaining, Saints have five, Bradford have six.
And when it comes to facing sides currently in the top six, Rovers have to play them all, whereas Bradford face five, Saints only four.
That makes last weekend's win over the Bulls seem particularly important today, whilst a trip to St Helens at the end of June will be just as significant.
Looking at the remaining fixtures, KR have it tough over the next two months.
The likes of Huddersfield, Catalan, Warrington, Wigan, Hull and Leeds will all stand in their way between now and the final two games, against Widnes and London.
The key will be arriving in September with the season still alive, as I am sure Rovers will fancy their chances of ending the campaign with back-to-back wins.
Current form gives little to suggest any side will break free.
The Robins, the Bulls and Saints all currently boast two wins from three, with all three losing at the recent Magic weekend.
At KR, Sandercock deserves credit for steering his side through turbulent waters all season long, as injuries have denied him the chance of fielding his strongest side, as was the case last season.
Each week seems to bring more bad news, with vice-captain Kris Welham the latest confined to the treatment room for the rest of the season.
When Welham was ruled out for the final stages of last season, Rovers went into free-fall.
But with plenty of game-time now under their belts, Sandercock will be confident his young stars can cope with the pressure and demands of weekly Super League action.
There have certainly been signs in recent weeks of solid progress, with perhaps most significantly, a big improvement in defence.
In the last three games, Rovers have restricted Wakefield and Bradford – both good attacking sides – to three tries.
Hull would only have scored three too had Chris Green's try been ruled out for offside.
Keeping opponents to three tries is a target used by many Super League coaches as a tried and tested formula for ensuring their sides are in with a chance of winning games.
And with Rovers attacking qualities, if they maintain that defensive improvement, they are capable of pulling off the odd shock, as they did when beating Warrington earlier this year.
Another key factor to making the eight will be the pack.
In Mickey Paea, Rovers have had a man leading the way week after week as he has established himself as one of Super League's most formidable props.
The fact he is still producing 8.1 metres per carry after playing all 47 matches since he joined is testament to his durability.
Together with the fit-again Evarn Tuimavave, the pair must use their experience to lead from the front, and help others follow.
Rhys Lovegrove is doing just that, producing the best form of his Robins career as he has scored five tries in his last four games.
He is doing a superb job of replacing the suspended and injured Cory Paterson on the left hand side, another player who will make a timely return to action from suspension later this month.
Elsewhere in the squad, Jordan Cox and Adam Walker are growing in stature, helping lay the platform for Michael Dobson and Travis Burns to do what they do best.
On their day, Rovers have proved a match for the best sides in Super League.
Last year the Robins' boys were beaten into submission. Now it's time to show they've grown up.
