Friday 30 September 2016 22:37, UK
Hull coach Lee Radford is hoping his side can rediscover their Challenge Cup form in time to keep their double hopes alive.
The Wembley winners missed out on the Super League Leaders' shield after slipping up at home to Warrington in their last match of the Super 8s last Friday but they can clinch a Grand Final place with victory over Wigan in Friday's semi-final at the DW Stadium.
Radford is expecting a response to his team's 23-6 defeat by the Wolves, a third loss in four matches since their Cup final triumph which suggests there are lingering effects of their Wembley hangover.
"I really hope not, there shouldn't be," he said. "What's really important is that we finish the season how we've gone throughout, although it's as tough as they come on Friday.
"Our Super 8s campaign has been up and down but we have been very consistent in knock-out footy and this Friday it's knock-out footy so hopefully you'll see the best of us."
Wigan's acting captain Matty Smith is wary of the threat posed by Radford's men, who won in the league at the DW Stadium in May and knocked his side out of the Cup in July.
Smith was also in the Warriors team that suffered back-to-back defeats in the immediate aftermath of their Wembley triumph three years ago but recovered in time to complete the league and cup double.
"We were in their situation in 2013 where our form dipped a little bit after the Challenge Cup," Smith said. "I suppose it does but we're not expecting a weakened side.
"All four games we've played against them this year have been close ones - we've won two and lost two - and we're expecting nothing else on Friday. It's a tough game for us.
"There are six Hull players in the Dream Team and there's a reason for that. For me, they've probably been the best team in the league.
"But we're really coming good at the right time. We've performed a lot better with the ball. We know our defence has always been really good and if we can put a performance together over the next two games we give ourselves every chance."
