FC must buck their ideas up or KR can declare by half-time
IT’S deja vu regarding Hull FC, and it doesn’t make for pretty reading.
Hammered once again, this time by Huddersfield Giants, 50-6 in the Challenge Cup, the same frailties came to the fore.
Hull were abysmal. There was no connection in attack or defence. With the ball, Hull were erratic. There was no shape or structure, and nobody was in sync, with halves not connected to edges and vice versa. It was sorry watching, despite plenty of favourable ball, particularly in the first half.
Defensively, Hull were just as bad. Huddersfield, while playing some slick rugby later in the game, didn’t have to work hard for their points in the first half, and once the tools were downed in the second half, they took the Black and Whites to the cleaners.
It was another embarrassing afternoon. Confidence is clearly low, there doesn’t seem to be any trust, there’s no leadership, and while evidently under-strength and lacking numbers, it just looks like a disjointed Hull side. It’s worrying, and it makes you question everything. We all know it’s a huge job to turn the club around, but right now there are no signs of progress, from systems to attitude, effort, pride, and the like. That’s on everyone.
In some tough circumstances at both Warrington and Catalans, Hull had a dig. They gave you something to get behind with their spirit and grit, but the last two weeks have been awful.
Hull are an ill-disciplined rabble. Once again, they received a yellow card, keeping up their record of having at least one sin bin or send off in every game this season. It’s a recipe for disaster. Mentally, there are some serious questions that need answering, and the lack of idea in attack is once again alarming, while defensively, this team just aren’t at the races.
The numbers are grim. Hull have leaked 104 points in their last two games, with 212 conceded in the six matches this season – an average of 35 a game. In attack, Hull have scored just 60 – an average of ten per match.
In fact, going back to Wakefield last August, Hull have won just two of their last 13 competitive matches. They’re one from six to start this season, and last year, they followed their last win with six successive defeats to end the season. But it’s not just the defeats; it’s the manner of them.
Leaking 50 points isn’t acceptable, but to do it in back-toback weeks is disgraceful. It’s rightly seen animosity grow.
Fans are fed up and don’t see a way out. It’s not like the expectations were high this year, with the side just challenged to have a dig and do the basics every week. That’s what fans want to see: pride, desire, and passion.
Right now, those effort traits aren’t there. Hull are not giving themselves a chance. That has to change, but for it to change, there has to be a desire for it to change.
Hull are trying to adapt to new systems and new ways of playing, but they have to take a look in the mirror and get tougher and more determined. There has to be a genuine desire to get out of this tough spell. If not, then it’s only going to get worse. Given the last two weeks, it looks like it’s only going to get worse, with the Hull derby up next on Good Friday.
Rovers come into the clash on the back of a 40-0 mauling of Salford. And given the contrast between the performances over the weekend, this one could be a cricket score, with the Robins declaring by half-time.
Hull will be given no chance of getting a result at Craven Park. Sure, there are limitations to this squad and question marks on its make-up, but one thing you can never forgive is a lack of pride.
That was there to see at Huddersfield, especially in those final 20 minutes. That’s unacceptable, and that’s where the line has to be drawn.