Dulle: We must improve mental side of our game

CAPTAIN Kurtis Dulle says Hull Stingrays must sort out the mental side of their game to maximise their points potential.

Stingrays have repeatedly let match-winning leads slip by failing to produce a killer finish.

They tend to both leak and score goals in batches, delivering match-night rollercoaster rides for fans.

Their last two games have ended in losing penalty shoot-outs to both Coventry and Braehead.

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And Dulle said the Rapid Solicitors Stingrays can't afford to keep falling asleep.

He added: "We got two points last weekend, but I feel we should have had more. We have had three, maybe four, games when we have been up by two goals, but still lost.

"I know we scored four in Coventry, but generally the second period is our worst period. It needs to stop, it's not rocket science, we have to sort the mental side of things.

"Last year we were always fighting from behind, but this year we can put ourselves in situations when we're in front, but we must put teams away."

As captain, Dulle says he needs to ensure his team is ready for battle in every game, whether it's the first, second or third period, with the killer instinct now paramount.

"Three out of our last four games have gone to shoot-outs and we've lost all of them," he said.

"We should not have been in those situations in the first place.

"Every point gained now will make February and March easier when you're trying to scrape by. Why not get those points now and buzz into the play-offs, with no pressure?"

However, Dulle admits there are plenty of positives from a generally pleasing start to the season, certainly far better than last year.

Having rejected a second season in Stingrays' colours in the summer of 2011, Dulle relented and signed up last October to bolster what was a struggling side.

So far this season there is a more buoyant feel to results.

"Obviously from what we hear fans think it's a more exciting team than they have watched for a while," said Dulle.

"It's nice to see us score four goals in 10 minutes but at the same time we can let in three

"Two points from games against Coventry and Braehead were better than none, but personally I'm not happy, and I am sure Sylvain and the rest of the team are not particularly satisfied either."

And Dulle says Stingrays must take the positives into games against Dundee and Belfast this weekend.

"There are no excuses against Dundee and Belfast, we're at home both games so there's no travelling," said Dulle.

"We played okay in Dundee but we had a couple of lapses and shot ourselves in the foot, so we've got a chance to redeem ourselves.

"Belfast are a top team, but we've played Nottingham, Cardiff and Sheffield and shown we can play with the top teams. There's no reason why we can't compete with Belfast as well."