Early relegation worries: Wakefield, Castleford…Hull?

Hull’s winless run continued on Saturday following a 34-6 hammering against Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, live on Channel 4. 

Tony Smith’s side have lost their last five games, failing to pick up any points throughout March.

Their last win came at Headingley Stadium in February, with a 22-18 victory over Leeds.

But it’s been downhill since then, losing to Catalans, Salford, St Helens, Leigh and Warrington on the bounce, leaving them 10th on the Super League table with only two wins in seven.

The only other victory came over Castleford at the MKM Stadium in the opening game of the year, although the Tigers threatened a comeback in the second half for a 32-30 score. 

It took Daryl Powell’s Warrington just six minutes to break the deadlock in front of a crowd of 10,797 through winger Matty Ashton.

The side ran in four more tries in the first half through Peter Mata’utia, Ben Currie, Matt Dufty and Josh Drinkwater for a 28-0 lead at the break before more points from Matty Nicholson in the second 40.

Hull looked deflated and mentally beaten in the first 40, and were, at times, embarrassingly soft in defence, evident during Drinkwater’s four-pointer, who managed to fend off both Tex Hoy and Jake Clifford with ease to score in front of the travelling supporters.

Their end of set kicks were poor and overall their attack was sloppy with many uncompleted sets, and even managing to concede a try when on the attack when George Williams pounced on a loose ball to feed Dufty away, with nobody catching the speedster.

Brad Dwyer scored the side’s first and only try of the fixture just beyond the hour mark, but it was a worrying 80 minutes for Hull.

And it got even worse in the final minute, with NRL recruit and full-back Hoy leaving the field with a hamstring injury.

Hull in trouble?

Tony Smith managed to lead Hull KR to the play-offs during his reign, turning the side from relegation troublers to top six contenders.

But he has his work cut out with his current side, who could be in trouble in 2023 – and at least 20 players off-contract at the end of the year.

Wakefield remain at the bottom of the table without a victory, while Castleford have won just one so far this season.

When those three meet each other, it could be crucial for their seasons, with the Tigers facing Mark Applegarth’s side next Thursday.

It’s the Hull derby next Friday in what could be a worrying 80 minutes for Hull FC fans, who made no secret of their thoughts inside the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Wire supporters taunt Hull with cries of "you're fucking shit" and the away fans join in with "we're fucking fucking shit". They've been awful again

— James O'Brien (@JamesOBYP) April 1, 2023

It’s then onto games against the Rhinos, Huddersfield and Wigan before facing Wakefield in May in what could be a crucial fixture.

Hull are of course yet to see off-season recruit Jake Trueman in action, who may have to come with all the answers to turn their season around. 

Hull fans, how are you feeling to the start of the season? Let us know in the comments below.

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