LET'S not sugar coat things, Hull FC badly need a good performance against Huddersfield Giants.
I say performance and not victory, for while two points would be very useful right now to avoid losing further ground on the top six, a good performance is more important for Hull's long-term ambitions.
Given the form of the Giants, a dramatic improvement from Hull may still not be enough to get a win at the KC, but it would go a long way to putting Peter Gentle's men back on the right course.
With the all-important Challenge Cup clash at Catalan Dragons a week away, a good performance tomorrow would also bring that necessary injection of confidence ahead of a tough trip to Perpignan.
Hull need a response after their Wakefield defeat, but they needed a response from their previous two losses and couldn't find one on Monday night. It was an error-strewn display and yet one which still almost brought the reward of a solitary point.
Shannon McDonnell bore the brunt of a lot of criticism for his loose carry which handed Wakefield a drop goal opportunity to win the game.
I am sure McDonnell will have been kicking himself for the error, but if I was Gentle I'd be asking my players why one of the smallest men on the field was tasked with taking a hit up off his own line against a set defence.
It should have been one of the forwards and not McDonnell making that run and the enthusiasm of the full-back should at least be applauded.
That type of enthusiasm can take you so far, but it is smarts Hull need to get themselves out of this run.
Key players need to start making the right decisions, with protecting the ball better and completing their sets key to getting back on track.
Against a physical and creative Huddersfield team, going set for set and staying patient will be even more important tomorrow.
A return to the defensive resolve of mid-season is vital, with a repeat of the mistakes of the Castleford game in particular inviting Paul Anderson's side to put on a big score.
Finally, a word on Kirk Yeaman.
It has been a tough season for the former Great Britain international with injury and form, but his try against Wakefield moved him to eighth in the all-time leading scorers in Super League history.
It's a great achievement and if he keeps his place tomorrow, Yeaman will make his 300th career appearance as a professional.
