HULL FC: My boys are ready to go, says Gentle
PETER Gentle says his Hull FC side are now "ready to go" for the new season on the back of their Tenerife training camp.
Praising his players for their professionalism, the FC coach believes they have done three weeks worth of training in just seven days.
And having returned to England with no injury worries, Gentle is itching for his first game in charge – against Hull KR at the KC Stadium next Sunday.
"We are ready now. I'm very comfortable with the first game being only a week away and the boys are ready to go," Gentle told the Mail.
"We will tidy a few things up over the next week as we build for the Rovers game, but I'm more than happy with where we are.
"I think we have squeezed three weeks work into one week.
"Every session we've had, the players have improved and they've been the ultimate professionals all week.
"We've trained them really hard and they've handled everything well.
"What I was most pleased with was that after a tough week they came up with their best session at the end of the camp as we asked them to.
"They've responded all week and I couldn't be happier."
Having used the final two days of training to take a closer look at what is likely to be his starting 13 against Rovers, Gentle has fine-tuned his team throughout the week in Tenerife.
Returning to training on Monday morning at their Chanterlands Avenue base, he will welcome back full-back Wade McKinnon and centre Tony Martin, both of whom missed the trip.
McKinnon is expected to take his place in the team to play Rovers in what is expected to be a strong line-up.
However, Gentle says there are still spots to be won in his side for the start of Super League next month.
"I'm not sure what my strongest team is at this moment, but I'll have a much better idea after watching the boys play against Hull KR and Bradford in the friendlu games," Gentle said.
"The performances in those games will tell me what I need to know about what is my strongest team.
"A couple of the younger guys will play in both the games next weekend, against York and Hull KR, and they'll maybe have 40 minutes in each game.
"I'll give the senior blokes first shot at taking on Rovers, but nothing is determined yet for round one of the season. There are places still up for grabs and the players know that."
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by bridrobin
Monday, January 16 2012, 7:47AM
“CallMeSir, you can live in hope! By the way, if you meet any RL fans over there, ask them what they think of the Melbourne Storm cheating saga.
Banter aside, enjoy your stay in Oz.”
by WestHullBandW
Monday, January 16 2012, 7:12AM
“The Dobbins are nothing club...the last major final that tin pot outfit was in was 1986. So how anybody takes them seriously on here is beyond me.
The supporters consist of oldies who still think it's the early 80's and chavs from Greatfield and Preston Road estates with a few from places like Hedon &Thorn who think they are a bit posh after leaving East Hell. Joke club who nobody gives ....about”
by hullkr117
Monday, January 16 2012, 6:46AM
“Tis i Tezza of OZ ,life without HKR v HFC would be boring .and i live in OZ .HDM is great keeps me in touch with SL Yes Sir”
by hullkr117
Monday, January 16 2012, 6:43AM
“Tis i Tezza of OZ Are you sure Callme sir ,i thought Bridrobin ruled you or does he own you ,as eddy would say lol”
by CallMeSir
Monday, January 16 2012, 4:40AM
“Very long season ahead for Hull KR.
I expect over the 2-3 years they will become even more of an irrelevance it's only a matter of time before we are a Top 3 side and winning trophies regularly, combine that with Hull City who I expect will go back to Prem within the next 3 years and stay there. So what's left Hull KR struggling in front of small crowds in a stadium that may in the next 5 years be developed into a slightly better version of what they have now.
The local media will lose interest particular with Gollum expected to be shown the door at RH so no longer have to listen to his twaddle.
Who knows I've even heard Hull Stingrays may be bought by the Allams so KR may eventually fall further down the pecking order and become even more irrelevant.
I'm in Australia and when I mention where I'm from, always the same are you a Hull FC and Hull City supporter no mention of the other club in the City.
Anyway I've got the barbecue on so it's time to go.”
by Stottlemeyer
Monday, January 16 2012, 2:21AM
“Can i start by saying it was a pleasure to meet bridrobin, Forest_300K and oxyelitecheet, great set of blokes, had a talk about how you dullers have been unprecedented in the way you've brought S/L down in one swoop.
After watching the lads today, albeit only half a game, i was very impressed with our new signings.”
by CallMeSir
Monday, January 16 2012, 12:08AM
“dextertexter He's quite an embarrassment on these boards with his 4-5 different usernames, his obsession with Hull FC and his schizophrenic mental health state, I don't think he even knows who he is mate that's for sure.”
by CallMeSir
Sunday, January 15 2012, 11:59PM
“bridrobin You actually believe that (shakes head) I've being running rings around you for a while mate.
Anyway so how was the game against a second string Wigan side?”
by bridrobin
Sunday, January 15 2012, 11:07PM
“Dixter, did you ever get your head around the fact that William of Orange wasn't around in 1066?
By the way Dixter, your new friend CallMeSir interfered in my posting to someone else - he finished up with egg on his face.”
by bridrobin
Sunday, January 15 2012, 9:41PM
“Dixter, read your post from 1135 this morning. The post you refer to was by Stozza an FC fan. He stated that you post mainly tripe and are an embarrassment to FC fans.
I copied and re posted it accordingly - just trying to be helpful”