Battle for the bottom

As far as Hull goes, well it is going to be difficult, not only physically, but I think mentally they have taken a beating too. There is no confidence in the camp.

Quotes of the week

CASTLEFORD V HULL FC
Live on Sky Sports
7.30pm, Fri, Sky Sports 1

Castleford seem to have basked in the glory in what most people see as a publicity stunt. Well if it is and it ensures Castleford play like they did last weekend, then perhaps they should bring in a runner every week!

All the publicity has certainly helped. It is a funny thing, sometimes it can go against you, but in this case it has lifted the Castleford players.

Castleford were in the doldrums and I think 95 per cent of people say the Dwayne Chambers signing is a farce, but it has worked. It has got world wide recognition.

They are giving a bloke a chance and good on them - he may even shock us all.

Look how they performed against St Helens - it was no fluke and they fully deserved their win.

I witnessed Castleford's only other win this season where they took Leeds apart at the Jungle and that was not a scrappy game - it was sheer quality.

Terry Matheson has got Castleford playing some good quality rugby league.

Probably the biggest lift I have seen at Castleford is the huge jump in stature from Luke Dorn. He seemed to just disappear when he was at Salford, he did not fit in or get the opportunities. But he really seems to be enjoying his rugby at the moment and that shows.

I think this Castleford side are on the verge of something very big. The key to their success has to be in getting players up through their youth teams - and keeping them. That was such a success for them a while back, and I hope they do keep Joe Westerman.

I am not saying it will happen in the next year, but I reckon within three years they will be a top side. The question is, will they get a licence?

As far as Hull goes, well it is going to be difficult, not only physically, but I think mentally they have taken a beating too. There is no confidence in the camp.

They did play ever so well last week, but just ran out of steam. That is because of all the injuries and they have had to put in inexperienced players who perhaps are not quite ready for the big time.

The more experienced players are having to do more work to overcome the frailties. That is a problem that Peter Sharp has to overcome and it is not going to be easy.

Sharp must get up every morning and bang his head against the wall and wonder what is going to go wrong for him next. Some of these things just don't work out for you.

He has not become a bad coach overnight, he just has not had a squad to select from. That is why they lost the battle of the Alamo - they did not have anybody left.

However Hull are going to go into this game with everything they have got. It is a major embarrassment out on the east coast.

It is one thing losing and being at the bottom of the table but it is another thing when you are at the bottom and Hull KR are above you!

Stevo says

I am going to have to go to for the home side. Hull are without Richard Horne which is a huge blow. Castleford played very well last week and I see them building on their St Helens win. They are a team on the up and I think Hull's injuries are just too much for them to overcome.

Stevo's star man

Joe Westerman (Castleford): Dorn has been playing well, but Westerman is the man at the moment. It is not easy for a youngster to be showered in all the glory. A lot of people thought that when he came up against the big boys he would struggle. Well he certainly hasn't and he has to be the number one target for all the top clubs. He may find it a bit more difficult running out wide in the centres this week. Hull are going to tackle as if their lives depend on it.

Westerman first try is 16/1 with Sky Bet. To have a flutter click here!