Rohan Smith was keen to stress a play-off spot was achievable for the Rhinos in the days leading up to Saturday's clash with Hull FC. Smith has a point, but they'll have to buck up their ideas sharpish if they're going to finish in the top six.
Not just sharpish, but instantly, from Saturday. Castleford Tigers' win over Huddersfield Giants means the Rhinos have to win at the MKM Stadium. If they lose, they will be seven points adrift of the play-offs with just ten games left. Lose, and the season is practically over.
There are simply no excuses, either. None at all. They take on a struggling FC side that has lost its last three games, a team that has not won a Super League game this season without their star man Jake Connor, a unit that has managed to score 14 points without their fullback in 260 minutes of rugby this season.
And this isn't just about Connor. Luke Gale is out with a concussion, Josh Reynolds has left and Ben McNamara is still injured. The only fit, specialist halfback in the squad is a teenager. There is simply no better time to play Hull FC than now.
The fixture is the first of three key games. They play Castleford Tigers at Magic Weekend then basement side Toulouse Olympique. If the Rhinos put a string of results together they will be right in the mix. Lose either of the next two and not only does it stop their progress but it also ensures one of the teams they're chasing moves further into the distance.
Coaches insist games aren't must-win, there's every chance Smith will talk down the magnitude of the result win or lose. But there's no shying away from it, the Rhinos' season is as good as done if they lose in West Hull.
And that would be a disastrous reality for the Rhinos. It would signal failure, gross failure. It will impact attendances for the rest of the season and it would add to the disgruntlement and discontent currently felt across the fanbase.
There is very little doubting there's an almighty rebuild on Smith's hands. Making the play-offs would constitute success at this point but only paper over the cracks. But at least a top-six finish would mean the Rhinos have ended the season in some sort of form.
It would also give the fans a much-needed boost. With recruitment taking its time, largely down to a restricted salary cap situation, fans are now having to buckle in for another period of transition. But it will become more bearable if there are signs of progress between now and then.
Defeat, and the negativity will likely hit new lows.
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