Hull FC v Wakefield Trinity: Visitors have credit in the bank, stresses Daryl Powell after reality check

Wakefield Trinity's 48-10 loss to Wigan Warriors was their heaviest of the year and a sobering reminder of the standards required to mount a title challenge.

Yet Daryl Powell has no intention of allowing one difficult evening to overshadow the progress made by his side.

Most teams endure a night like Wakefield experienced at Belle Vue last week over the course of a long campaign. Having consistently punched above expectations since returning to Super League, Trinity have earned the right to be judged on more than a single result.

All that matters to Powell now is how they react at Hull FC on Friday night.

"We've addressed it a couple of ways," he explained. "Wigan played at another level and we were a bit below our standards.

"It's just important that we respond. The boys are pretty open that some of the things we did weren't great. That opened us up to being attacked the way Wigan attacked us.

"We were way too passive everywhere. That's not the way to play against a team in the form that Wigan are, or anybody for that matter.

"Sometimes you get performances like that. I don't think jumping up and down, throwing things about or slamming doors is the way to deal with it. We've had to be rational, work our way through it and give the benefit of the doubt to a group that's been really good.

"It's about getting back on track. It's important we come straight back with a quality performance."

After being forced to field a much-changed backline against Wigan amid a spate of injuries, Powell faces the same headache this week.

Wakefield are without Mason Lino, Corey Hall, Oli Pratt and Jayden Myers for the trip to the MKM Stadium.

"We've been playing back-rowers at centre, which a few teams have had to do this year," said Powell.

"Wigan had (Liam) Farrell playing in the centres for a fair while. St Helens do the same. It is what it is.

"Sometimes you lose a few outside backs and have to adjust. We'll just deal with it again this week."

While Wakefield remain well placed in the top six despite last week's setback, Hull became cut adrift during a turbulent first half of the campaign.

Powell is always braced for a tough challenge at the MKM Stadium regardless of form.

"I think their young players are holding them together," he said.

"They've got some experience in there but the young players have been awesome for them. They've got some really good young players who have done a great job.

"It'll be interesting to see how they shape up. They've got a few loan players in there. That's why they can be hard to read.

"It's always difficult going over there. We were in front at half-time last year and they reeled us back in.

"If we're at our best, we'd be comfortable that we can go and really get after Hull – but it'll certainly be a tough game."

Andy Last's depleted Black and Whites host Trinity buoyed by a welcome win over Huddersfield Giants.

With Lewis Martin and Davy Litten poised to return, there is a different mood in the camp.

"It was nice to go in on Monday morning and see a spring in the step," said Last.

"The key message this week has been to make sure that we maintain a high standard. The opportunity to add to the squad with a couple of guys being available for selection has helped.

"We know we'll need to be good. The best version of Wakefield is coming. We also feel we've got a plan where we can maybe expose some areas of weakness."

Last enjoyed the perfect start to his latest interim spell with a comprehensive victory at former club Castleford Tigers but oversaw four straight defeats before last week's win against Huddersfield.

An ongoing injury crisis has only complicated the task Last inherited from John Cartwright.

"It's been a real, real challenge," said Last.

"But the group have come together. We're always in games and we're always in the fight, which I thought was evident against Huddersfield. We needed that result."