Hull FC 'need a settled side' for play-offs, says Gentle
COACH Peter Gentle admits he has to 'bite the bullet' and decide upon a Hull FC side he feels he can stick with heading into the play-offs.
The Aussie has endured a difficult first season in charge at the KC Stadium, as the campaign has been badly hampered by injuries.
-
Which role will he play?: Richard Horne
It has seen him forced to experiment with team selection at times, and throw many youngsters into the mix early.
Having seen his side torn apart at Widnes the last time out, he admits changes need to be made again for tomorrow's trip to Bradford.
A full head colour or 1/2 head highlights, luxury Redken treatment, cut & blowdry for JUST £40 (Save £25) or upgrade to a full head of highlights for JUST £50 (Save £35). Add a spray tan for JUST £10.
Terms: New customers only (not visited salon since 25/02/2013). Monday - Thursday only (including late nights). Savings based on director prices.
Contact: 01482 423178
Valid until: Wednesday, July 31 2013
But with the play-offs only a fortnight away, he acknowledges consistency needs to be found.
"There could be some changes to the starting line-up after the last game at Widnes. I've got 21 players to choose from, so there is a decision to be made," Gentle told the Mail.
"We have to bite the bullet going into these last two games and the play-offs, though, and settle on a line-up that is going to work for us. The time is now to do that."
Gentle moved Tom Briscoe to fullback in recent weeks, something which paid off initially, but back-fired at Widnes.
He looks likely to switch back to his specialist role on the wing for the trip to Odsal, with the roles of Richard Horne and Ryan McGoldrick – who have each played both fullback and stand-off – another decision to consider.
In all, Gentle has used six players at fullback this season, and eight different half-back partnerships. But with 21 players available at training this week, he feels he has more options to be able to select a stronger side.
"At last the coaching staff have some leverage with who we can put in because we've got 21 players training and that's exciting for me to have that," he said.
"All year I have picked on form and I will continue to do that. If we are winning that doesn't guarantee players their place in the team, it is down to their performance, but we need to find a settled side."
Praising the response of his players this week following a return to training from four days off, the Hull coach believes his players are in the right frame of mind to bounce back from their Widnes horror show.
Gentle added: "The players have come back from the break much better in terms of their fitness.
"We have been battling with just 17 and 18 players now for a long time and as a result of that the boys have been playing busted.
"It was important they had a break. I told them to switch off and not think about football at all, to down tools and come back refreshed.
"You can see the players came back with that spring in their step and there is an excitement about the place again."
Comments
by Dinoincanada
Friday, August 31 2012, 12:46PM
“we never play well without sir richard of whiting!”
by CharlieHebdo
Friday, August 31 2012, 12:23PM
“Lets face facts,Green and McDonnell will not play for the Dobbins again because A: Wigan and Hull FC don't want them to and B:They've had enough of the shocking set up they've encountered at Caravan Park.
They along with a lot of others such as Taylor,Clinton and Webster are fed up of the terrible Stadium,the awfull training facilities and the under 16 level coaching they've had to endure during their time at Caravan Park.
The Dobbins will not make the top eight and will therefore miss out on a shed load of money that clubs get for reaching the play offs which will only increase their already massive debts.
NO WONDER HUDGELL AND CROSSLAND ARE GETTING OUT. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA”
by abnormalnorm
Friday, August 31 2012, 9:34AM
“scott is my best friend he tells me all the secrets from craven park”