Hodgson: MKM Stadium is best in the competition, we love playing there
HULL FC head coach Brett
Hodgson can’t wait to see his side back in action on their home ground as they finally make their MKM Stadium return.
The Black and Whites have lost their last three on the road, and haven’t played in Hull since beating Wigan six weeks ago.
That game was the last of a current six match winning run on home turf, with Hull’s only defeat coming in their first home clash of the year against St Helens in February.
Hodgson, meanwhile, is all too aware of the role the Hull fans have played in that run, and he is encouraging them again to get behind his side on what is another big event for the club with their Armed Forces Day.
“We can’t wait,” Hodgson explained. “We spoke about it
Wednesday actually about going home and putting in a performance that our supporters are proud of.
“We’ve missed our supporters. They’ve been excellent. Obviously we’ve had a run of games where we’ve won at home and I’m hearing it’s going to be a good crowd. I’m excited about it. We need our supporters to get out there and support us.
“They are like our 14th player on the field.”
Beating Salford, Huddersfield, Warrington, Catalans, Toulouse, and Wigan, Hull’s home form is something to shout about.
Showing a range of styles in victory, it’s an achievement that sees Hodgson’s side currently keep hold of fifth place in Super League. It’s a big contrast to their away form, too, and whilst Hull are six from seven on their home ground, they are just two from nine away.
That is something Hodgson knows Hull must tidy up, but for now it’s all about the homecoming. “Our home form is definitely something we have spoken about,” Hodgson added. “We also have to flip the head on our away form as well.
“It’s not good enough to lose the majority of games away from home.
“We have to make sure we’re better. We’ve looked at how we can fix that as well but the home form was a priority and we will continue to invest in that.
“I’m really excited. We love playing at home. In my opinion it’s the best stadium in the competition. It’s so good when it’s loud so we’re excited for that. We need them, so as many fans that can get out will be better for us
“We’ll try our best to put in a performance that they can be proud of.”
Hull face a Leeds side struggling in Super League this year.
Sitting five points behind the Black and Whites in 10th, it’s a game the Rhinos will likely see as a must-win, and that makes them a dangerous proposition.
Hodgson, though, is focusing on Hull alone. His side still sit in the driving seat, but know they’ve got to pick themselves up quickly to stay there. Only winning is what matters at the moment, and the Australian coach is confident his side can do just that.
“They’re going to be desperate,” Hodgson said on Leeds.
“They’re playing to make themselves available for that top six as well. They’re going to be a little bit different with the suspensions they’ve had this week but we’re expecting the best version of Leeds like we do every team we play against. They’ve had their own situations this week, but I’m not interested in that. We need to expect the version of ourselves this week and that’s the most important thing.
“We haven’t spoken about the top six. We know where we are now but it’s about where we are at the end of the year. We’ve had a little dip over the last three weeks but it’s important to understand the reasons why and it’s important that we’re still focusing on where we can improve.”