Matongo: It’s good to know I’ve got a clean slate at FC
MASI Matongo is determined to make the most of the fresh start he has been given at Hull FC.
A combination of injuries and the form of others saw the forward drop down the pecking order at the KCOM Stadium last year and he made just two appearances for the club after the restart to the season in August.
Hence, Matongo is approaching the new campaign in a determined mood.
With Brett Hodgson taking the head coach reins last month every player has started pre-season training on a level playing field.
It means competition for places at the club’s County Road training ground will be stiff, particularly in the front-row where the club aren’t short of talent.
But after the disappointment of last season, Matongo is intent on making his mark and catching Hodgson’s eye early.
“It’s not good when you can’t play,” Matongo said of last season. “You end up just training and getting in that routine where you know you’re not playing so it’s tough to motivate yourself and you probably don’t put 100 per cent in.
“So it’s good to know that I can have a clean start and go again, it’s probably good for a lot of the boys really, even those that have played, it just keeps them honest and makes sure they’re doing what they can as well.
“It’s been like a clean slate for everyone really, no one can cling on to what they’ve done in the past or what they’ve done before, it’s a fresh, clean start.
“It puts everyone on their toes and you can see it in training, everyone is working hard and people are pushing and competing and he’s building that culture where everyone wants to be a winner rather than knowing they might already have a spot.
“We’ve got some good players and a lot of them finished really well as well last year so they’ll be confident in themselves.
“The main thing is making sure I work hard myself and show that I’m still about and make sure that if someone starts slacking, I’ll be hot on their heels. I need to make sure I’m doing everything I can to get in the team.”