GRAEME Horne admits optimism has never been higher in the Hull KR camp than it is at present.
Having climbed into the top eight with 13 games left to play, things are going well for Rovers right now.
Although Justin Poore has been ruled out for the season with a broken knee cap, the rest of the squad remains relatively healthy.
And even though Rovers face another stern test when they travel to Castleford Tigers tomorrow, Horne is confident of finishing the season in good form.
"This is the most optimistic I've felt at this stage of the season," he told the Mail.
"If we can get the little bits right, I'm sure we'll be pushing in the right direction.
"There are still some things we need to work on.
"Our completion rates need to be higher and we also need to stop teams finding a way back into games.
"As soon as we do that we'll be right in the mix in the top eight.
"But we have a good squad here and we're being well coached."
Castleford's lightning-fast start to the season has tailed off a bit in recent weeks, but they still sit third in the table and are a real threat on their own ground.
Rovers do not have too many fond memories of recent visits to Wheldon Road and will be hoping for a change of fortune this time around.
Horne knows Castleford will make life as difficult as they can, as they have done all season, by trying to starve their opponents of the ball for long periods.
But the second rower hopes his side can execute Craig Sandercock's game plan to perfection and come away with another two points.
"We have to go set to set with them," he explained.
"They don't give you much ball and when they have it, they keep it.
"Their average possession rate is 80 per cent every week, but we have to make sure that doesn't happen.
"We are giving teams opportunities we shouldn't be giving them.
"It doesn't help that we are one of the most penalised teams, but as individuals we have to be aware of that.
"Our record there since I've been at Rovers hasn't been great so I want to put that right.
"I'm not surprised they've stayed near the top of the table.
"They play the same way and they've not had too many injuries.
"They have had great continuity throughout the season.
"Daryl Powell has got them playing really well and they all work hard for each other, but we have a bit of form going into the game and we need to match them in possession and play for 80 minutes."
Playing for 80 minutes is something Horne is certainly glad to be doing.
Earlier in the campaign, he was coming off the bench, but in the last few matches he has started on the right hand side in the second row.
And he feels that shift is now bringing out his best.
"The last couple of weeks I've been level with my performance, it hasn't dropped but it hasn't gone up too much either," he added.
"I need to raise my standards and push on. But my aim is to play 80 minutes every week and I'll only get fitter as a result."
