Kevin Brown makes honest assessment of struggling Super League club

Former England half-back Kevin Brown admits that Wakefield’s attack in 2023 has been the worst he’s ever seen in Super League following their winless start to the season.

Mark Applegarth has had it tough during his first season in charge of the side, losing the likes of key men Max Jowitt, Lee Gaskell and Lewis Murphy to injuries, while his side sit at the foot of the Super League table without any points.

The injuries have seen Applegarth bring in full-back Will Dagger on a permanent move from Hull KR, and loanees Sam Hewitt, Innes Senior and Nathan Mason in recent weeks from Huddersfield. 

On the field, Wakefield have conceded 218 points in the campaign – although Tony Smith’s Hull hold the worst defence with 224.

The Belle Vue side have been kept scoreless in four out of their seven fixtures, and have only crossed for seven tries altogether this year – with four of those coming in the opening game in the 38-24 defeat to Catalans. 

Applegarth’s side kick-off Super League’s Rivals Round with a trip to the Mend-A-Hose Jungle to face Castleford in the local derby, and speaking on Betfred’s The Last Tackle, Brown believes the side must improve on their attacking systems. 

Kevin Brown: It’s as poor of an attack that I’ve seen in Super League

“The change has got to be their attack, it’s as poor of an attack that I’ve seen in Super League,” Brown said on The Last Tackle. 

“I think that’s the third game they’ve not scored a point. It’s just unheard of. 

“There’s other games where they’ve scraped a try through a kick. 

“Defensively, that’s normally the biggest area of weakness for the bottom sides.

“But their attack, if they can get that right, it gives them a chance. 

“Defensively, they’ve got some spirit. They’re trying for the coach and they’re trying for the badge. But they’ve not got enough ideas and creativity.”

Kyle Amor previews Super League Rivals Round clash

Featuring on The Last Tackle alongside Brown, four-time Super League winner Kyle Amor insists the side still have a lot to work on in their defence, labelling the Round Eight clash between Wakefield and Castleford the ‘battle of the wooden spoon’. 

“They are conceding still far too many tries,” Amor said. 

“This could almost be the catalyst for more results down the line for them (Wakefield). 

“If they can get over the top of the nearest and dearest at their own patch in Castleford, it would be a huge boost for them. 

“At this stage of the season, it’s already looking like the battle of the wooden spoon at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Brown believes the pressure is on Castleford, who have picked up just two wins so far this season and sit just above their rivals in 11th place on the table. 

“I think the pressure is on Castelford,” Brown continued. 

“I don’t think they’re playing too bad, I watched the Castleford versus Catalans game and I think there was a try that was a no try in there and then Mike McMeeken scores at the end. 

“They’re competitive, they beat Leeds at home. 

“I think it’s a real tough ask for Wakefield. If Wakefield do lose, it’s six points adrift and that’s a lot at this stage.”

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