Warrington Wolves vs Wakefield Trinity, Steve Price preview

For plenty of Warrington Wolves fans, though, the damage is already done, so disappointing was Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final exit.

Still no doubt smarting from their ignominious loss to Castleford Tigers, The Wire take to the field again tonight against another side from the very same part of Yorkshire.

A dejected Stefan Ratchford contemplates defeat in Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final. Picture by SWPix.com

Wakefield Trinity arrive in good form having won three games in a row and with several players – ex-Wire star Joe Westerman chief among them – in sparkling form.

Can Warrington recapture the form that saw them nicely build momentum?

There will be 4,000 fans inside The Halliwell Jones Stadium – and many more following the action from elsewhere – who will demand nothing less.

With a gap having already formed to St Helens, Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons ahead of them, any further slip-ups would be highly damaging to the pursuit of the two trophies that remain on offer?

All things considered then, does head coach Steve Price believe the clash with Trinity is a “must-win” for his side?

It may surprise plenty to discover that he does not.

“There’s been a fair few good things – prior to the weekend we’ve been playing some really good football,” he said.

“We openly admit that Saturday was a poor day at the office and we’ve got to live with that.

“We focus on the league now and I’m confident we can turn around and put a strong performance together on Friday.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a must-win game - there’s still a lot of football to be played, to be honest.

“It’s all about getting our back yard in order on Friday.

“There’s a few bruised egos and rightly so.”