Ex Hull FC player questions their playoff chances suggesting it’s almost ‘mathematically impossible’

Hull FC host Wakefield Trinity today likely knowing that a loss will cut short any hopes of making the playoffs with FC having now dropped to tenth, but still just four points short of the playoffs with the likes of Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos, Salford Red Devils all also pursuing those top six spots.

Sixth place is currently occupied by FC’s city rivals Hull Kingston Rovers who sit only four points ahead of FC having played a game more, such is the cl0se nature of the league with even Warrington in fifth only four points in front of their ex bosses team as well.

Losing last week to Huddersfield looked to be a nail in the coffin for Hull FC but in reality the seven game losing streak earlier in the season is what has left them in such a difficult situation, one that former player Paul Cooke has described as ‘not mathematically out of the realms, but not far off’.

Speaking on BBC Humberside, it was posited to Cooke that FC can hardly afford a loss at this stage of the season.

“Yeah, you wouldn’t be too far away with that, I don’t think.

“I think if they have seven games then they are going to have to win two more than the teams above them to overtake them. They are four points off the top six now so actually they are going to have to win three more games than the teams above them.

“Then it comes down to the teams above them, if they drop two then FC can’t afford to lose any. If they drop three they can afford to lose one.

“It’s certainly not mathematically out of the realms but it’s not far off because not the teams above them are Hull KR then Warrington, who if they improve and they probably will do with a new coach coming in, there’s Salford who are going to find a bit more of a groove than they have done.

“So even if them teams improve a little bit above them and win a couple of games, then Hull FC have got it all to do. They’re not quite in the realms of it’s mathematically impossible but they’re not far off.”

Facing a Trinity side who have won four of their last six will be a sturdy test as well, rather than the walkover you’d assume it would have been six weeks ago.

The one positive for Tony Smith’s men is that Wakefield are yet to win away from Belle Vue, but if FC are serious about their playoff chances then it is a must win game.