Sky pundit believes Super League coach’s “masked slipped” showing his dissatisfaction with squad

Wakefield Trinity are now four points adrift at the bottom of the Super League table after eight defeats in the first eight games.

Last night in Rivals Round they lost to West Yorkshire rivals Castleford Tigers 16-4 with Greg Eden notching two vital tries.

The result sees the Tigers move onto four points and leaves Trinity two wins away from being level on points with their closest rivals at the bottom.

Thus, Sky Sports presenter Brian Carney has suggested that Mark Applegarth’s job could be in danger.

He said during the game: “There is Michael Carter, Chief Executive of Wakefield. He has signalled his intention to stand down by the end of the season.

“I wonder for Mark Applegarth, his appointment, Wakefield may look to make a change.”

Jon Wells added:

“It will weigh very heavily on Michael Carter because Mark Applegarth is well regarded and well liked so it is not a decision he would take lightly.”

Speaking after the game also on Sky Sports, ssked about whether he still wants the job despite losing the first eight games, Applegarth was adamant he has the thick skin needed to keep going:

“Listen, emotions are high. It is a tough place to be. You have to keep going. We have put some fixes in and we will keep attacking it because otherwise things just compound and get worse.

“We are not where we want to be.

“You have the highs and lows, this is a low but my job is keep a level head and to make sure my lads are as prepared as they can be going into the game and they gave their all.

“I still want it, I have thick enough skin.”

However, Jon Wells felt during the interview, Applegarth’s mask slipped showing some discontent at his squad.

He said: “Possibly because there are a number of players in that team who could play in other Super League teams.

“There was a little line in there where I though his masked slipped a bit. He said, ‘I have some guys who are playing at capacity.’

“You can read that in one of two ways. You can say the guys are on tilt and doing everything they can or a nod or an understanding that some members of the squad are at their limit and that limit is not good enough for moving Wakefield up that ladder.”