Hull FC are looking for back to back victories on Friday night.
Hull FC celebrate a try against Huddersfield.(Image: Dave Lofthouse, Hull FC)
Hull FC went back to work on Monday morning with a spring in their step, but now the hard work continues.
Fresh off last week’s victory over Huddersfield Giants, the Black and Whites – with a much-needed win behind them – host Wakefield Trinity this Friday night, and while the ‘Wildcat’ suffix is no more at the West Yorkshire club, interim head coach Andy Last is very much aware of the wounded animal.
Humbled by Wigan last week, Last is expecting a firm response from Daryl Powell’s unit, and that all makes for what will be another tough clash at the MKM Stadium.
Speaking pre-match Last said: “It was nice to go in on Monday morning and do a review and give some positive feedback. There was a spring in the step, which was great to see.
“The key message for us this week now is making sure that we maintain a high standard and making sure that we freshen ourselves up both mentally and physically. We know we need to be good and we know the best version of Wakefield is coming.
“They have got some threats in their team, but we also feel as though we’ve got a plan where we feel we can expose some areas of weakness. We’re comfortable with that plan and now it’s just about executing it on the day.”
Buoyed by victory, Last now wants to see performance go up again after pointing to a team evolvement from recent weeks. He explained: “Our energy, our emotionology, didn’t drop, against Huddersfield.
“I think there have been occasions where you could sense frustration in our team, but I thought at the weekend that frustration was more determination – and that was something which the boys have fed back to me. They didn’t feel as though it was frustration on the field when an error was made or something happened; it was more determination.
“The lads all got together and we turned them away. That desperation and that togetherness in defence was really, really evident. And then the fans, I thought, really played a significant role. There was a sense of they could get this done here, and they really came into their own, the supporters, and they really started to get behind us.
“The chant for Johnny Kear, it didn’t stop, and those sorts of things really help build the atmosphere that we all want at this stadium. I’m hoping that the fans are in full voice straight away at the start of the game, because we certainly need them and that positive environment that they can create really helps us play at our best.”
Wakefield go into the clash with an outside back shortage, with the side missing the likes of Oliver Pratt and Corey Hall, but Last isn’t reading anything into it.
“I don’t want the boys to fall into that sense of ‘Oh, it could be a good one for us, as Wakefield might be a little bit busted up’ because even when you look at their squad, it’s still stacked with quality,” he said. “They’ll be ready to play at their best.
“There’s no way we can take it lightly. Wakefield had a little bit of a drop-off last week, but they were against a red-hot Wigan side. I’m sure Daryl and the staff have looked at why that happened and they’ll be looking to put that right this week.
“We’ve got it all on again now, but the guys have come together and we’re working hard. We’re always in games and we’re always in the fight.”
Outlining the challenge ahead, Last added: “We’re just encouraging the lads to not underestimate themselves. We have spoken about being more difficult to beat and playing for 80 minutes and not rolling over as much as probably Hull teams have done previously. We are spirited and we are gritty, and we don’t allow teams to get away from us on the scoreboard and when you can stay in that fight, you always give yourself a chance.
“We need to be clear in our heads, but the boys are ready to play. They know the best version of Wakefield is coming and we’re expecting a full-blooded encounter. I’m looking forward to a good contest.”