New coach David Hobbs comes to Spotland in brand new charge of a Featherstone side that, somehow, seems hellbent on throwing itself through the relegation trapdoor.

Usually always resolute, committed and workmanlike, Fev have struggled to gain any momentum this season and hover precariously in the drop zone - second bottom, two points shy of a Batley side that banged them for 50 points at Post Office road last week. Most uncharacteristic.

David Hobbs’ analysis was short and clinical: ‘...they just don’t know how to tackle.’

He went on: ‘The crux of the matter seems to be: are they able to tackle? It doesn’t look like it. There are too many soft tacklers in the team and that’s the stark truth of it.’

And there’s more: ‘The club is in this position because the players have put it there. It’s simple to say that the players have therefore to get the club out of the mess it’s in. But how are you going to do that when they don’t even enjoy playing together.’

‘Team spirit was low when I came. It’s damaged even further now. Our objective is to climb out of this hole. To do that I’m going to have to bring players in - and take a long hard look at who we want to keep here.’

Pretty damning stuff.

To add injury to insult, hooker Carl Hughes and three-quarter Andy McNally both look to have been ruled out for the season with long-term problems. Hobbs’ one bright spot is the return of prop Ian Tonks, who walked out on the club following Gary Price’s resignation.

In stark contrast, Bobbie Goulding was a happy lad last week following Hornets breathtaking win at Halifax. He said: ‘The lads stuck to the task and it’s working well. We’ve got a good spirit and we’ve got to kick on from here. We won’t be shouting from the rooftops - but we’ll train hard all week, then we’ve got another big game against Featherstone.’

Indeed, Hornets can’t take Fev - and their situation - for granted. They’re desperate for whatever points they can scramble, as Hornets are desperate to claw back Halifax’s one point advantage in 4th place.

With ‘fax at Barrow and Doncaster at Batley, a win is imperative if we are to maintain our chase for 4th.

There’s no doubt that games against Featherstone have a frisson of ‘real rugby league’ about them - and are more enjoyable for that. And two sides going all out for the points should make this a stirring encounter. As always, your support will - and does - make a huge difference: as we saw at the Shay last week, we can give the lads a tangible lift.

So get to Spotland on Sunday and do your bit. Bring your Hornets shirt and your singing voice and give it 100%.

This one will be a cracker. We’ll see you there.