Shaun McRae: Play-off win sign of things to come for ambitious Hull FC
HULL FC director of rugby Shaun McRae says the club are not content with just settling for a first play-off win in five years.
McRae admits 2012 has already been a successful season for Hull, having achieved the goals set 12 months ago to end the campaign with more points and higher up the ladder than the previous year.
The Black and Whites finished with five more points than in 2011 and two positions higher in sixth, despite the worst run of injuries in recent memory.
Admitting the club had to overcome a lot of adversity this year, McRae describes the season as a success, on and off the field.
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But ahead of their play-off clash with Warrington on Saturday, the former Hull coach says the club staff and players won't be happy until they walk out at Old Trafford.
"When I arrived 12 months ago, I talked about expectations for the year ahead and I said I'd be happy with progress, more points and a higher finish," McRae told the Mail.
"We've had that progress and now we are in the second round of the play-offs for the first time in five years.
"We've met expectations, but that doesn't mean we stop there.
"Everybody will be doing all they can to get us to Old Trafford.
"We are not finished yet and we will continue to push, on and off the field, to make sure our expectations are raised higher."
The first to arrive in Adam Pearson's new regime, McRae was instrumental in bringing in Gentle.
Initially setting a three-year target to make the club a top-two team challenging for honours every year, McRae admits that plan has now evolved to take in Gentle's extended contract.
But eager to point out the goal remains the same, McRae says the Hull coach has already done a fantastic job this season, no matter what Saturday's result is.
McRae added: "We had a three-year plan with Peter, that's now four years after a deserved extension to his deal, but the first year has gone very well. Peter has done a fantastic job.
"He's shown what a great coach he is.
"He's adapted very well and he's been given great support by not only Andy Hay and Lee Radford, but also all the support staff, the medical team, conditioning and performance boys. Everyone has been great.
"Things have changed rapidly on and off the field, as well as in the squad with a lot of changes, players leaving and coming in.
"We've had the worst run of injuries I can remember and, despite all that, we are one of six teams left with a chance of getting to Old Trafford.
"That's the aim. The team have momentum and confidence behind them and will go to Warrington confident of winning."
Comments
by easthullfc11
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 3:54PM
“can't say i know too much about crookes. but i remember when he was an amateur , every club in s/l were supposed to be interested in signing him. he was hot property.”
by dextertexter
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 3:53PM
“abnormal,no one comes on the fc threads shouting their gobs off more than you and your compadres,wonder what the price of your passes will be when they are printed, if they are printed,lets hope they are ready for xmas”
by dextertexter
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 3:43PM
“hang on shaun,why even rovers claim to fame was once winning a play off game,and they have been on cloud nine eversince,lol”
by abnormalnorm
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 1:21PM
“eddy will you be listening to warrington battering hull fc on radio humberside on saturday or are you going with your friend stevo?”
by abnormalnorm
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 1:20PM
“eddy you have no idea who jason crookes is.
you don't even watch hull fc play let alone know about players from other teams.
are you looking forward to listening to radio humberside in 2013 and hearing all about rangi chase and lopini paea playing for hullfc?”
by abnormalnorm
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 1:17PM
“eddy you have no idea who 'jason crookes' is.
you don't even watch hull fc so i don't know how you expect us to believe you know about bradford players.”
by abnormalnorm
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 11:54AM
“poor KCShameless
Been sold a pup by pearson, the signings expected haven't happened.
Tried to fool you all with the lure of Rangi Chase to get you to buy tickets.
Desperately pleaing to fans to get their passes as he knows every home game makes a loss.
Club losing money and even huge outlays don't get the fans in.
Only 8000 watching a play off game a terrible sign of things to come.
Oh, and please cut out the racist comments about Rovers signings.”
by KCShamus
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 11:35AM
“Poor Rovers.
It must be absolutely galling for them. Finishing in 10th, behind a team who were deducted 6 points too!
Only won one game in ten and lost 2 derby games against patched up FC sides.
Missed out on money-spinning playoffs.
Signed a depressed Muslim and a journeyman.
Lost three of your four best players and the fourth will be sold.
Chairman stated you might not be in SL next year
Season Passes not even on sale, despite recession. Do you realise that people will be saving money for Christmas and their kids?
No wonder you're trying to find faults at FC - you daren't comment on your own.”
by paulthe
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 11:31AM
“Just one more point, i have addedthis to the Crookes story aswell, but with five flying wingers under 22......! Bet Ben Crooks and Lineham feel good about their chances of getting first team action next season.
Why are this Hull board doing exactly what the last Hull board did? The last Hull board did this sort of thing in times of crisis but this board seem to be doing it because it's become the end of season thing to do.
Anyone else agree? Hull supporters or not?”
by paulthe
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 11:24AM
“What a surprise to see bomber out making glory statements whilst the going is good, that's if you call beating a rubbish Huddesfeild team good going. Hull did play well though, in fact I think they played very well. But...... Let's us see where bomber is if they get beat by the Wire. I reckon he'll do his usual shrinking act and send his 2nd command out to fend off any critism(Mr Gentle). A bit of a rotten trick me thinks, but that is what McRae does. I hope Hull do well in the play-offs, I can't see them winning but hope they beat the wire anyway.
As for all the negatives against Rovers by the few fans who seem not to remember the last time hull had a play off run(the last play off game you had was won by Rovers), stop the snide, nasty comments. Gloat by all means but let's remember you NEED, NEED the season passes to sell or else you are the ones who will be in massive financial trouble. We Rovers fans realise our season has been disappointing, compared to our last 5 seasons, were season on season has been better than the last, but then with Morgan going along with a host of players it was always debatable how our season would pan out.
Even finishing outside the 8, I personally feel that with a very small amount of defensive work in our team, next season will be a good one, as with a factual look on 10 of our games we have lost these by one try and goal only. So with that in mind like I say with a small amount of defensive work we will be a far better team next season and with sandercocks mental attitude and record with one on one player development 2013 will be another good season for the Reds. Let's hope, likei say earlier in my thread, hull have a decent play off run and sell those season passes and keep some unhappy players happy(talking about the Ellis situation) otherwise the snide and nasty comments, and the gloating will be swiftly turned around.”