Hull FC middle Yusuf Aydin looks set to keep the loose-forward role against Castleford Tigers on Friday night.
Aydin started in the position against Catalans Dragons last Saturday and produced the same high-energy performance synonymous with the player. And now he looks set to get the nod again against the Fords, with the 24-year-old balancing his game well against the French side.
Reflecting on that display, John Cartwright insists it’s important that Aydin continues to be Aydin and doesn’t attempt to mimic John Asiata, who held the role for 15 games before suffering a hamstring injury at Leigh Leopards last month.
Asiata’s first diagnosis on that hamstring injury is 8-10 weeks, with Aydin, who has the minerals to play long and robust minutes, doing a job in the middle of the field, set for a period in the team.
“We didn’t want Yusuf to be John – we wanted him to be Yusuf,” Cartwright told Hull Live. “He’s full of energy, he’s a very fit boy, and we knew we would get decent minutes out of him, which was helpful.
“He’s a tough fella, and it was good to see him play a lot of footy. He played big minutes, and he did what we want Yusuf to do. He carried well and got through a lot of work in defence.”
Asked if Aydin will continue in the position against Castleford, Cartwright replied: “He’s trained well this week. You don’t change winning sides as a rule, but we’ll have a look at who is available. We’ll get through the weekend and then get back to training and have a look at it and what’s in front of us to pick a side.”
In Asiata’s continued absence, Hull will have to find different ways to attack, with all their play this year going through the inflential Samoan international, but there is one area that will help their cause: their defence.
Cartwright put a huge emphasis on that for the fixture in Perpignan, with the coach just as happy with the zero as he was with the 34 points scored.
He explained: “You can’t change a hell of a lot in a week, but we’re working hard to get to where we are. I’ve said it before, but you can never play the perfect game, and there’s not one game you come out of and think you can’t improve.
“Sometimes it’s in different areas, but I thought we had a lot of players out at Catalans, key players who are a big part of the team, and that changes the style and the way that you play.
“We’re not going to fix that up in a week, but I was really happy with our defence. If we can keep improving there, then it takes a little bit of pressure off your attack but you’re always searching to get better. That won’t change this week nor the week after.”