Hodgson has to resolve Connor conundrum at FC
HULL COACH MUST SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF FULL-BACK’S ABSENCE
It’s no secret that Jake Connor plays an essential role in Hull FC’S attack. The stats speak for themselves. With 24 assists and three tries, the fullback has had a decisive contribution in almost half of the Black and Whites’ tries this season. Connor now faces almost three months on the sidelines through injury.
The fact Brett Hodgson’s side has scored just two tries in the two games he has missed this season is an inevitable cause for concern.
Granted, those matches were against the two best defences in Super League, but until FC post points and, more importantly, a win, without Connor, they will have to accept concern will linger.
Ultimately, they have to find a new way to unlock defences, whether that be through one individual or a collective effort.
As it stands, the rest of the FC squad has 30 assists this season, compared to Connor who has 24 individually, that’s a big void to fill.
It’s worth pointing out that Hull’s entire offensive philosophy revolves around putting Connor in a position to deliver the final pass and his numbers show how effectively those surrounding him do their job to give him the time and space to put someone to the line.
But finding someone who can do it as well as the Halifax-born star is going to be nigh on impossible, which poses a real problem to Hodgson and how he takes the team forward from here.
Of his potential fullback options, all of them possess qualities, but they tend to be around their running game more than their passing.
Jamie Shaul, as an example, has averaged more than a try every other game during his career, a fine record, but he’s never been a prolific creator. He hasn’t once finished in the top 20 assisters in a single season.
Darnell Mcintosh has been a fantastic signing for the Black and Whites and has performed superbly on the wing. But during his time playing as Huddersfield’s fullback, the concern was always his passing ability.
Connor Wynne, another talented player, has always looked more of a threat as a runner, rather than a playmaker.
In summary, you could argue FC don’t have a fullback available who has the necessary qualities to see out the role it plays in their attacking system. It’s not so much a criticism of the players, just a simple case of trying to fit round pegs in square holes.
But it poses a real problem for Hodgson who now has to weigh up whether to adapt the system to suit his players or work with his players so they fit in the system.
The answer isn’t simple because both of those scenarios require time.
Unfortunately, there is only a two-point gap between themselves and the bottom half.
Many would argue that you can’t change a system to suit one player, but when the player you’re trying to replace is Connor, you have to question whether any player, currently at Hull FC or elsewhere, would be capable of taking on that role.
There’s also no doubting that there is quality elsewhere in the team.
Whether it’s been on show enough this season or not, the vast majority would argue the latter, Josh Reynolds and Luke Gale haven’t played at the level they have for no good reason.
For what it’s worth, one plus point is that 14 other players currently have assisted this season. Danny Houghton, Joe Lovodua, Josh Griffin and Carlos Tuimavave all have four, though the latter is now set to miss the season too.
You suspect that, with all that in mind, Hodgson is thankful to have a week off as he plots the team’s path through a critical period.