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Carvell: Adding some beef for Hull

Brough is class, he has been absolutely first class this season, but is just going through a bit of a dip at the moment.

Stevo
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Wakefield v Hull FC
6pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 2

This is going to be a very emotional game as both sides will pay tribute to Dave Topliss.

David Topliss was one of the game's gentlemen and his death was a massive loss.

He played for both Wakefield and Hull FC and all the players will want to honour a great player and a great man.

Both squads will hopefully realise that his enthusiasm for our game was second to none and his attitude went a long way towards ensuring the game of rugby league became a more skilled and enjoyable sport.

Lets not forget that this game is also a dress rehearsal for the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final, and both will be wanting to go into that game with a psychological edge.

Wakefield will be desperate to get over their 60 point mauling at the hands of Wakefield. That was a shocking day at the office for the Wildcats and how that has affected their psyche remains to be seen.

They have to bounce back from their losses and it is time that Danny Brough played the way we know he can. He has been stuttering of late and that has caused ripples throughout the team. Brough is class, he has been absolutely first class this season, but is just going through a bit of a dip at the moment.

Wakefield coach John Kear must be concerned about his start player and he has tried to take off some of the pressure Brough by sharing the responsibility with Jamie Rooney. It has worked to some extent, but maybe Brough is still feeling the after effects of a few games where he has been targeted with some illegal tactics. But he is a tough nut and he will be disappointed that he has slipped slightly from the very high standards he sets himself.

Kear will also be concerned about a few injuries, especially to England international centre Ryan Atkins who is out with a knee ligament injury. However Jason Demetriou is back and will give Wakefield plenty of experience.

As far as Hull goes, well it is going to be difficult, not only physically, but I think mentally they have taken a beating too. There is just no confidence in the camp. The latest blow is the £100,000 fine for fielding an ineligible player -- how is that going to affect their already shaky confidence?

I am hoping it will rally them and they will come out and show us what they are certainly capable off. They do play some great football, but their horrific injury list has taken a massive toll in fitness and in developing a feel for what happens on the field. That comes from playing regularly with each other, but at the moment Hull FC look very tired.

Hull need to get back to basics. The forwards need to seriously front up and in that regard coach Richard Agar will be happy that Garreth Carvell and Willie Manu have shrugged of injury concerns. You feel that Carvell owes Hull FC a massive game and I am sure he will want to show that he is still dedicated to their Super League cause. He could be the beef that Hull need to get some momentum going.

Stevo Says

It is hard to ignore the dark clouds hanging over Hull FC. The place feels dull, the crowd at home used to be baying for blood all the time but now they are rather quiet. There does not seem to be much faith left in the club. I am hoping that the occasion really sparks them into action, but I think they are going to have their work cut out. Wakefield maybe a bit jittery at the moment, however I really expect them to knuckle down for this game. I am hoping for a great spectacle though worthy of that great man David Topliss.