WOLVES are determined to prove their doubters wrong by winning the League Leaders' Shield at Hull FC, loose forward Joe Westerman says.

The 26-year-old was among the try scorers in Friday’s defeat by Wigan as the visitors came from 28-14 down to triumph with 12 men.

Sky Sports commentator Eddie Hemmings labelled Warrington as “bottlers” after reeling off a number of their recent failures to win silverware, but Westerman says this sort of criticism will drive the team to success.

“I haven’t listened to the commentary so haven’t heard what he said but it’s a common thing thrown at us as a club,” he said.

“We know what we have to do, we’re still top of the table. People can call us bottlers if they wish but we are really tight as a team, we know they are wrong.

“Beating Hull will change a lot of people’s minds about us and it’s a great chance to prove some people wrong.”

Despite last week’s disappointment, The Wire still hold their destiny in their own hands.

Barring the mathematical miracle of Wigan beating Catalans Dragons by more than 100 points, they know avoiding defeat on Humberside will see them finish top of the table for the first time since 2011.

Westerman argues winning the League Leaders’ Shield at his former club will be more special and says the team have identified where they need to improve.

“It would have been nice to win it at home but I think it would be more special, both for me personally and as a team, to win it at Hull after what happened at Wembley,” he said.

“To go up there and beat them for a trophy would be extremely special.

“We’ve looked at the Wigan game as a group. There were too many offloads we didn’t wrap up in that last 20 minutes.

“We were gutted with being so close, with the score at 28-14 we thought we had it and for some reason we just dropped off.

“We were too loose in certain areas. We know what we have to do to improve and we’re all determined to get the job done at Hull.”

Friday also marked a significant milestone for the England international as he crossed for his 10th Super League try of the season, which he says was not a target he set before the year started.

Westerman joined Wolves from the Black and Whites in the off-season having spent five seasons at the KCOM Stadium.

He says he is looking forward to heading back to his old stomping ground once again.

“I don’t set targets for tries but it’s been nice to get over the line as much as I have this season,” he said.

“There are still plenty of things I know I need to work on as I don’t think I had the best game on Friday.

“They are there again, waiting for us and standing in our way. It’s becoming a common theme!

“Their form hasn’t been too great since Wembley but I’m sure they’ll be fired up to beat us again and get some more silverware but it’s something I’m sure we can match.

“If we lose at Hull it seems pretty certain we’ll finish third, you’ve got to expect Wigan to beat Catalans at home.

“It’s a must-win, we want to bring the Shield home as it gives us so much momentum going into the semi-finals and beyond.”