Really looking forward to seeing how we get on against a side who should be spending a million more on players than us.

On paper I think we can match them but of course that means nowt.

A win puts us in a really good position early on to shoot for Superleague.

Wakey by all accounts ran Salford really close and by virtue of the fact they are the Superleague side may view this one as a good opportunity for their first win.

Although I'll have to rely on what other people tell me as I won't be watching it.

T & A reporting that Mullaney could be doubtful for Saturday's gameJake Mullaney was withdrawn in the final quarter with a back problem and will be assessed ahead of Saturday's trip to Wakefield as the Bulls continue their Qualifiers programme. '"

I saw enough good attacking play in the first half against Sheffield to suggest we can score some points against Wakefield. Mullaney is an important figure in the attacking moves, and his defence is good, so fingers crossed he'll be fit. I think we'd struggle without him.

If we play to our potential, we should win this as I believe we have the better team on paper. Pundits seem to think Wakey will be too strong for the championship clubs. No idea what they base this on. Wakefield have won 3 games in SL. Already lost to a championship club. They've replaced half their team with cast offs and unknowns. Despite the "improvement" under Smith, they have only won once and that was against team who played a game just days earlier while Wakey had the weekend off. I think some "pundits" think because Wakefield are technically a SL team, they will win. I think we have the stronger team IMHO

BUT

Wakey will throw everything they have on Saturday. This will be by far the toughest fixture we have faced all year. It will be intense and fierce. From smiths interview it sounds like he's installing an "us against the world" mentality. So Wakefield will come out all guns blazing. If we come out slow out of the blocks, we'll get burned. Get in an arm wrestle and I belive we have enough quality to see us through.

Can't wait, think it will be a cracker!

It's a massive game. Another must win game for both teams.

I think we can edge it if we play at the same tempo as we did in the first half against Sheffield.

Hopefully Wakefield players will take us as lightly as their fans are doing. According to them our current team is worse than the one that got us relegated. Think their in for a nasty surprise next week

Our current team probably IS worse, on paper, than the one that went down, but fortunately the cliche that games aren't played on paper is still true. The team that got relegated could easily (in my opinion) have been a top 8 team, but for whatever reason, zero confidence, coaching, tactics, whatever, played a whole lot of miserable stuff.

Hard to explain, but I liken it to Paul Newlove, his replacement was nowhere near as good - on paper - but much better for us as he wanted to play and did play.

The bookies have Wakey narrow favourites and with home advantage that's probably about right. On paper. But we have been far more consistent this season than last, and have shown on many occasions that we can play. I have no fears on our attack, that will be fine if the pack gets us a fair share of go-forward. Which it will, as it has done all year. I do have fears on defence. But we have shown when it has counted that we do have a bloody good defence, and it ws great on Sunday. If we can repeat that soirt of tenacity and willingness against a SL team then we should run them close.

What we need to do is start getting into Wakefield's heads, and hope that self-doubt starts to creep in and then mistakes and gaps will follow as their confidence drains away. What we DON'T need to do is to give them a start, or cough up regular gifts of field position.

If we come out like we did against Sheffield, then that will do for me for starters.

I think it will be a cracker.
We really need it so no one will be taking it lightly.
Even when relegated you beat us twice so no one is under any illusions of an easy win.

Looking forward to it. We played well enough to win at Salford. Let's see if we can keep it going.

We need a good start in this one. If we get out the blocks early I can see Wakefield hitting the panic button. They'll still be low on confidence and we need to put some doubt in their minds early on. They're at home so I agree it is no surprise that they start as favourites but we have enough quality to cause an upset.

Said in another thread I'd be happy with a good performance and build to the games coming up.

Don't think its a must win, but we a certainly in with a shot.....

If we do pull it off, we'll have put ourselves in the frame for an automatic spots, especially with 3 home games still to come.

It's all about winning IMO. It's not must win for us, but it would then make Widnes or Salford must win IMO. It's more the damage it would do to Wakefield in their season.

I would agree with that, even though the team which eventually went down was very short on forwards and had been running with constantly changing, 'in and out', loanees since the loss of Scruton, Winterstein and Carvell right at the start of the 2014 season. Our current side is maybe a bit short of top level experience in a few places, but much better balanced imo and stronger where it needs to be; in the forwards.

In terms of the Wakey match, we've also lacked the hardening coming from constant high level competition which Trinity have had - too many easy wins and even sloppy performances often coming up with the two points isn't the best diet in the run up to these season defining games - the idea that every minute has mattered has been a bit of a joke for a pro side in the championship.

Of course, on the other side we haven't, 'got used to losing', as Wakey undoubtedly have. So is the confidence gained by winning, more important than not having a strong fixture list? - guess we'll find out at the weekend.

Tbh only position last years team was definitely stronger in was scrum half imo. And gale could be good one week then missing for a few. Undoubtedly some of that was due to lack of forwards. Whilst addy isn't as good a scrum half he's certainly more consistent. Every other position is either the same players or an equal or better replacement plus we have an adequate set of props this year which was main deficiency last year.
Only ones who left last year I'd have like to have kept were Kearney and Donaldson but mullaneys a decent replacement for Kearney when fit with shaw/mendeika as backup. Think olbisons stepped up a level this year and filled gap left by Donaldson.