Hull FC need a big performance in Perpignan.
Hull FC go up against Catalans on Saturday night.
Hull FC’s inconsistencies may leave interim head coach Andy Last scratching his head but there’s no grey area on what his side must improve at Catalans Dragons this Saturday night.
The Black and Whites go across the English Channel to Perpignan, knowing that a big attitude-based performance is needed to right the wrongs of last week’s defeat to Castleford Tigers and give themselves the best chance of victory.
And with the prospect of a first-ever bottom-placed finish in Super League still a reality with four games to go, motivation to get that victory is big, that and the added spice of going up against former coach John Cartwright, who will be determined to get what would be a sweet two points.
Outlining what Hull need to get right, Last told Hull Live: “Our attitude at the start. Our yardage defence. That’s been our Achilles heel for two years. We concede too many run metres. It was an issue for us last season, it was a focus in pre-season, and it’s been an issue again this season.
“Teams aren’t playing with a great deal of shape to make metres on us. They’re just making metres with outside back carries and middle carries. That hurts. They’re the ones that you should be able to deal with, so there’s been a big focus to improve our yardage on the back of turning the ball over in good areas.
“It wasn’t good enough last week and oppositions are marching us down field and getting into good ball way too easily. It then puts pressure on us as we’re coming out our end in yardage. That’s hopefully one thing we will see improve on Saturday.”
As for Hull’s inconsistencies, Last continued: “It’s something which I scratch my head about myself. After the game, around three or four players said they felt a little bit flat leading into the game, which is strange.
“We had players coming back, five fresh bodies, who I thought would impact on the performance and get us on the front foot. I’m not sure why there was such a stark contrast between what we saw against St Helens and what we saw against Castleford.
“There were some stern words spoken after. The players are aware that the inconsistency of performance between what we showed against St Helens and what we showed against Castleford is not acceptable for us as a club.”
Hull have looked to put that performance behind them at training, but it’s replicating what they do during the week to gameday that remains the biggest challenge.
“The old statement, train like Tarzan, play like Jane, can spring to mind,” Last said. “There’s the flipside of it; you can train like Jane and play like Tarzan. I know what I’d prefer, but we just haven’t been able to piece enough 80-minute performances together.
“We need to make sure that this week we start strong. I said before the game on Friday that we can’t allow them to get confidence and when a team gets confidence, it makes it a tough game. Players then get frustrated and that leads to some poor decisions. We need to be better this week and get off to a stronger start.”
Hull head to Perpignan on Friday before playing Saturday night, with Last looking forward to spending some time together as a team.
He added: “It’s nice to get away and spend a bit of quality time as a team, connecting over lunch, breakfast, coffee, etc. The weather will be good. There will be plenty of supporters there. It’s a good time of the year to play Catalans. There are lots of positives to take from being together. It’s good to bunker down as a team.
“We’re looking to bounce back now. We need to be good defensively but we need to be good with the ball as well and make sure that we don’t rob ourselves of energy. We need to complete well and kick well. It’s going to be a tough game.”