There’s no better game to put things right for our fans than the derby
MINCHELLA SAYS ROVERS PLAYERS ARE HURTING AFTER RECENT DEFEATS
Elliot Minchella insists the players share the fans’ pain and are determined to put pride back in the Hull KR badge with a positive performance in the derby. Rovers have lost 13 of their 16 Super League fixtures in 2020, with their season hitting rock bottom after a woeful performance at Wakefield Trinity on Sunday.
It came on the back of a familiar first-half collapse against Castleford Tigers and led to an angry reaction from supporters on social media.
Minchella believes the derby could be the perfect game to bring everybody back together.
“We’re hurting after Sunday’s game and Thursday’s game,” said the versatile forward.
“It’s pretty frustrating. We’re trying our absolute rocks off to get a performance and a win and it’s just not happening at the minute.
“It’s not down to effort; everyone’s s trying really hard and we all want to win.
“It’s tough to take. It’s been a hard few days, especially for the players.
“I know the fans are hurting as well and everyone involved at the club. We’re hurting just as much, let me tell you that.
“Luckily we’ve got a big game against Hull FC.
“It’s the biggest game of the year and there’s not a better game for us to try and turn it around. That’s what we’re focusing on.
“It almost gives us a chance not to forget about what’s gone on but, if anything, if we’re going to try and turn a negative into a positive it’s going to be done on Thursday.
“It’s a big opportunity to right some wrongs and prove to people that we do care and that we do care about the shirt and the club show we do care.
“There’s no bigger game for our club than Thursday’s.”
Rovers have lost home advantage for the match as Super League continues without spectators, meaning the players will have to create their own atmosphere at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
“It’s massively disappointing,” Minchella added.
“I got my first experience of the derby earlier in the year at their stadium and the atmosphere was unreal.
“I’ve watched them on telly at Craven Park as well and I’m disappointed there won’t be that same atmosphere there.
“But it’s for us to create. I’m sure people will be watching at home or in the pubs and we want to make people be proud to wear our shirt and our badge.”
To do that, Rovers will need to start faster and harder than they have in recent weeks.
Hull are refreshed after a timely break and Minchella knows KR simply have to match their intensity in the early stages.
“We’re confident,” he said.
“I don’t think we go out in any game and think we’re not going to trouble the opposition.
“It’s about going out there and doing it.
“Our start’s massive this week. Too many times recently we’ve let the other team score three or four tries before we’ve even got off the bus and it can’t be done this week.
“The start’s massive and it sets down a marker on how the game’s going to go.”
Minchella has quickly established himself as a key member of KR’S squad and is a leading contender for the player of the year award.
His performances have been all the more impressive against the backdrop of a chaotic season and he expects to be a better player for it.
“We’ve been put in some tough situations that you probably won’t be put in normally so we’re all going to gain experience from that and benefit from that in the long run,” said Minchella.
“We’re just trying to focus on Thursday’s game really. It’s absolutely massive for us.”