HODGSON: HULL CAN FIX THIS
Hull v St Helens
Today, 3pm
BRETT HODGSON is urging fans to look at the bigger picture as Hull scrap to claw back a play-off spot.
Improved recent form by Leeds and Salford — plus Hull’s own poor run — has seen them drop out of the top six with only five games left.
Supporters are getting nervy, following a run of seven defeats in nine games, but Hodgson (below) is convinced the club needs more than a quick fix.
And the Aussie is determined the club must learn from the blueprint that has been so successful for today’s opponents Saints.
He said: “I understand that there is some frustration with results and there’s some frustration with the players missing. I think we’ll still have nine on the sidelines this week.
“We all want results now, players and myself included, but we’re still in a position that we can get results if we’re working hard enough now. We just need that extra bit of quality over the next month.”
Hull are moving away from relying on big-money overseas signings and instead investing heavily in junior development.
Saints have won Super League for the last three years with a crop of brilliant home-grown youngsters playing key parts.
Hodgson said: “It’s their DNA. You’ve got people in that system learning off the best players. It’s what we’re trying to do now.
“That’s the plan we’ve got in place. We want our young boys to channel the first team to see how they prepare for games and then that becomes their preparation blueprint.
“I know what works and I’ve seen systems work in the NRL in particular where the youth development creates the opportunity for those boys to progress into the first team so you don’t then have to spend big money from overseas all of the time.
“You then only have to look for some elite talent to get us to the next level. That’s what we’re trying to do but it takes a lot of time.”
Leaders Saints have forwards Agnatius Paasi and Sione Mata’utia back from injury and suspension.