Something for the weekend? FIVE points to ponder for Hull City, Boro, Owls, Barnsley and Doncaster

The programme kicks off tonight when Hull City welcome Wolves, and there are big games tomorrow for the likes of Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford City, Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers.

Five observations:

1: A last-chance for Hull City in their pitch for the Championship top two

Let’s face it, Hull’s chances of somehow gate-crashing the automatic promotion picture now look remote.

But, in many respects, the main thrust for the Tigers, who welcome Wolves tonight, is rewinding the clock to January and displaying the drive, purpose and swagger that they did in a near-perfect month.

Not many would have certainly backed against them not being promoted via the conventional route and indeed winning the title back then, with the likes of Abel Hernandez flying.

2: A note of caution to Middlesbrough

The relief was palpable in the ‘94th minute’ on Tuesday when Adam Forshaw’s dramatic goal clinched a never-say-die win over Reading on a night when hunger and desire won through.

But no respite is afforded Boro and while their trip to relegated Bolton does not look exacting on paper, Aitor Karanka is nothing if not shrewd and will be reminding his players of how they have lost at fellow strugglers Charlton, Bristol City and Rotherham and so very nearly did at MK Dons.

The Teessiders have had their warnings and need to show the right attitude tomorrow.

3: Sheffield Wednesday, cometh the reaction?

Tellingly and reassuringly, the Owls reactions to defeats this season have been praiseworthy. After poor defeats to Charlton and MK Dons earlier this term, they backed up instantly with strong wins over Huddersfield and Wolves on home soil and the challenge is something resembling a replication against Ipswich after the 4-1 mauling at Bristol City.

Defeats invariably happen in the Championship tapestry, but the good sides hit back straightaway.

4: Big afternoon for Barnsley, who can do Bradford a favour

The Reds character was displayed in a hard-fought midweek win over much-improved Oldham, who have given little away in recent weeks under John Sheridan.

Next up is second-placed Burton, who have been faltering in recent weeks with the promotion line in sight and a fixture against one of the division’s transformed and true form sides of 2016 is probably far from ideal from the Brewers’ perspective.

If Barnsley win, they have serious play-off momentum for their remaining games and it would also do Bradford, six points behind Burton and with an outside sniff of the top two, a potentially big favour, although City have to mind their own business at Shrewsbury.

5: Daunting task for Doncaster Rovers against Wigan

The fixture list could have thrown up a tougher assignment for seemingly doomed Doncaster, who tackle a Wigan side who are running hot and looking nailed on for the title after a powerhouse run.

Darren Ferguson acknowledges that Rovers will probably have to win their last five games if they are to have any chance of survival. If they do beat the side who are top of the table, how ironic would their previous desperate 16-match winless streak look?