Anderson still hoping for top-eight finish

With just seven games remaining, they may be six points behind eighth-placed Widnes Vikings –further highlighting the true cost of Sunday’s 24-20 loss against those opponents – but will not yet accept defeat.

Paul Anderson’s side host Castleford Tigers this evening, however, knowing victory is pivotal to keep those ambitions alive.

“Until it is mathematically impossible then we will keep fighting,” said the head coach.

“The number one thing is that we have to give ourselves a chance and not worry about anyone else.

“We’ve got to make sure we get on with our jobs, doing our roles and make sure we execute what we do to the best of our abilities.

“At Widnes, we let ourselves down (after leading 16-0); the start to the second half just killed us. There was a lack of respect in possession in the way that we just gifted the ball away.

“The positive is that the glass is still half-full here and we still have opportunities to put that right against Cas on Friday.”

Castleford are in seventh, seven points ahead, but lost to Wigan last Thursday meaning they have had a far greater rest period ahead of tonight.

Anderson added: “A short turnaround can work one or two ways, you can dwell on it and decide the whole world is against you or roll your sleeves up and get on with it.

“Cas have been going alright; Daryl (Powell) has got a well-coached team, they can throw some things with you and play with a lot of width.

“A lot goes through Luke Gale, so we have got a challenge on our hands but so have they; we’ve been building for the last six weeks or so.”