Hull FC have time on their side and a recruitment option – and need to improve fast.
Hull FC’s Zak Hardaker dejected after his side’s loss to York.(Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC suffered a disappointing 17-16 defeat to York Knights on Friday night. Here Hull Live looks at some talking points.
A disjointed display
That was a really poor performance from Hull FC. They looked disjointed, out of shape, and off the pace. Ultimately, they got themselves into positions to strike but they lacked the polish to get over the York line, who, for the record, showed plenty of spirit and grit and thoroughly deserved their victory.
As for Hull, their grimiest realities were demonstrated no more in the second half, with Hull chasing the game in atrocious wet weather conditions and struggling to put on the required shape to get their attack to click near the Knights’ line. The Black and Whites got themselves into positions to strike but lacked the bite to land the killer blow. Errors came off the back of a clunky attack, and the frustration showed.
It was a poor display all round, with Hull – who had the reality of putting out a disjointed side with changes and disruption galore – looking jaded and out of sorts. Improvement is needed – and quickly.
A reality check
Thankfully, it’s round three and Hull have time on their side to put things right, but there’s no excusing the concern given the lacklustre performances to start the Super League season so far. Hull have been well off the pace – something that is perhaps no surprise given the pre-season they had. They had 13 players coming in after surgeries, with some big players not getting the reps in at training. It shows now – with Hull looking in poor condition and with some way to go.
Hull have had first contact and connection issues so far this year. They have also looked leggy in parts and just out of sorts. There’s a way to go to get to the required standard both with and without the ball, but again, it’s early days, and they do have time to turn it around before they get poked with a pitchfork. That improvement has to come soon, mind, as big players return to the field, and none more so than John Asiata, who did all he could to shape up a disjointed team performance in his first appearance of the year. Having James Bell back will help too but losing Aidan Sezer didn’t. On that front, it seems to be a case of one step forward and two back, but Hull battle on. Their season won’t be defined in the early games but again, the need to go up a few levels is clear – and they need to do it sooner rather than later.
Injuries bite again
Hull lost Aidan Sezer, Harvey Barron, and Jed Cartwright during the game on what was a frustrating night for all. And while injuries don’t excuse the performance served up, they don’t help and certainly contribute to the disjointed display served up.
Hull felt that frustration early on with Sezer leaving the field after being poked in the eye. The skipper had blurred vision, came back on but didn’t return for the second half. Elsewhere, Barron limped off with an ankle injury, while Cartwright had a hamstring issue. A full prognosis will be given after scans but there are doubts for Thursday’s game at Wakefield at least.
The knocks ensured Hull finished the game with one interchange – a reality that didn’t aid their cause. But again, it’s no excuse for a poor showing that saw boos ring out at full-time. That just wasn’t good enough or acceptable for a club who have targeted a play-off finish this season. There’s a lot of work ahead.
The clock
Hull and York were dealt the collective frustration of no running clock for the match. The countdown was absent on the big screens, with players and coaches alike left in the dark.
Speaking post-match, John Cartwright said: “I don’t know who is responsible for that but if a player makes that sort of mistake, he’s getting butt-kicked for sure.”
Hull Live has been told it was a central issue between Sky and the match officials and beyond the control of the club.
A positive
Harvie Hill. The prop was good again, both with the ball and in defence. His game was disrupted with a HIA but he soon passed and returned to the field. He’s been a good addition to the club and is only going to get better.
Recruitment revelation
Hull are considering recruitment given the salary cap dispensation they will get after Will Pryce’s season-ending injury. But given their injury scenario, they might not utilise it on a full-back. Davy Litten filled the role on Friday, with Zak Hardaker, Logan Moy, and Lloyd Kemp being three other options.
But given the back row spot is now going to be pressed following injuries to Cartwright and Joe Batchelor, pushing a centre to the back row next week, it could be the edge positions where Hull look to strengthen. But as Cartwright hinted to Hull Live post-match, Hull won’t rush into a decision and it’ll be dictated by what’s available and what is deemed sustainable. An interesting few weeks are ahead, with Cartwright set for his biggest test as Hull head coach to date.