'Five' changes, but Hull FC can beat leaders Huddersfield, says Gentle
HULL FC coach Peter Gentle is confident they can rise to the challenge of facing Super League's in-form side this weekend – despite having to make big changes to his side.
Gentle expects to have 'four or five' new faces facing Huddersfield on Saturday from the side which hammered Castleford 52-0 last week, as injuries and suspensions limit his options.
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Fit again: Hull FC's Jason Crookes
It will see him leave his final team selection as late as possible in the hope some prove their fitness in time.
But, even if his side does travel to the league-leaders some way under-strength, Gentle is confident they can be a match for the Giants.
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"We've got quite a few problems this week and we had a patched up team run yesterday," Gentle said.
"I've given everyone in the squad until tomorrow to prove their fitness, but I envisage having four or five new faces in the team on Saturday night because it has been one of those weeks for us.
"Even though we've had a long turn around there are a lot of boys struggling on the field, so I am hoping tomorrow brings more joy."
Despite not having the best week's preparation, Gentle says he is confident his side has the right attitude to deal with the difficulties and says being under-strength will not be used as an excuse for under-performance.
"I'm not concerned because the four or five faces will fit in, and what this does is give those guys who haven't had an opportunity this year their chance," he said.
"It's not ideal, but the guys coming in are itching for their opportunity and I'm confident that whoever is out there Saturday will do us proud."
Having returned to winning ways in the best possible style last week against the Tigers, Gentle was quick to ensure perspective was brought to proceedings at training.
Much as he didn't get too carried away following the disappointing loss to Widnes a week earlier, the FC coach has ensured the focus this week has again been on improving.
"We put the victory to bed by Monday morning and forgot about it," he said.
"We didn't dwell on the losses too long and it is important we don't dwell on the wins too long too. We have shown our worst and our best in the space of a fortnight so we have to get some consistency into our performance.
"We haven't spent too long looking in the mirror about what happened in previous weeks, it's about looking forward and we have a very big game this week."
Whilst missing the likes of the suspended Danny Tickle and the injured Kirk Yeaman, Gentle will be boosted by the availability again of winger Jason Crookes, whilst centre Ben Crooks and prop Chris Green are also fit again.
Aaron Heremaia is one of the players Gentle is giving extra time to prove his fitness after suffering a rib injury against Castleford.
31 Comments
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by HCAFCscarb
Thursday, March 14 2013, 9:56PM
“TonyL
Walking up and down Hessle Road picking up fag ends all day
Isn't a real Job.”
by HCAFCscarb
Thursday, March 14 2013, 9:47PM
“Huddersfield to thrash Hull ' Spongers ' FC”
by stantheman
Thursday, March 14 2013, 9:37PM
“Why are Hull City fans getting all the headlines over their trip to Huddersfield on Easter Saturday?
Surely we, as the 'best fans in the world' deserve similar press coverage?
Why are we not getting special treatment from WYP and why are City fans only getting 1,700 tickets and we can have as many as we want?
After all we invaded the pitch and ripped the goal posts down, not City fans, so it should be us who are getting the special attention surely?
I blame Alan Agar.
Or the Allams.”
by Not_Mongrels
Thursday, March 14 2013, 5:01PM
“by Sterlo7Thursday, March 14 2013, 10:11AM
"No worries about Saturday Fc will do the Biz.
Pound for pound FC are still stronger, keep broughy quiet and the games in the bag.
Always positive......................
Hilarious....Absolutely hilarious....
No wonder so many people swallow Pearson's s***e....Lmao....”
by Not_Mongrels
Thursday, March 14 2013, 4:58PM
“BennyStol, I assume that your brother has all the "Movers and Shakers" from the NRL around for a BBQ every week...............Lol.......”
by BennyStol
Thursday, March 14 2013, 4:02PM
“geevans i think biltonkev used to post as forest_2013.
my brother lives in australia and he says that dobson is signing for wests tigers next season so rovers can get a transfer fee for him and he also says that hull fc have signed jacob miller on a three year contract from next season.”
by kevsguitar
Thursday, March 14 2013, 1:38PM
“I can't Hull or Rovers getting a result this weekend.
I would say the odds are 60/40 in favour of the home team.
Hull simply have to many big guns missing to cope with a Giants team that is firing on all cylinders.
The Giants have massively won the battle for possession in every game apart from one this season - and they got turned over in that one game.
So to win Hull have to have the ball longer than the Giants. I can't really see that happening unless Hull complete every set, don't give away penalties and never lose the ball. That simply isn't going to happen.”
by biltonkev
Thursday, March 14 2013, 11:59AM
“Oh dear TonyL.
So everyone who posts on here is lazy and work shy? That would be everyone but you I take it?
You'd better harangue '2biesgalore' and 'GEvans76' because they often post on here during the day, just like you do.
You're the biggest kind of idiot on here, the sort that think they know everything about someone just from reading their posts.
Well, some news for you, some people in this day and age work with computers. They have access all day. And some people work night shifts.
You do have a funny and blinkered view of the world don't you? You even know how much people pay and their working hours, and all that from a post on the web, what a clever little man you are?
There's little point in even replying to someone like you because quite frankly you are an imbecile.”
by GEvans76
Thursday, March 14 2013, 11:40AM
“Green has being outstanding so a straight replacement for Tickle.
He could play either Crookes or Crooks at left centre.
Start Watts this week.
Biltonkev
I tell you what fella you need to get us all a job where you work, that busy you are able to make posts every 10 minutes. Out of interest did you used to post as rangi?”
by B692345
Thursday, March 14 2013, 11:37AM
“TonyL
Hey, look at the last few current posts. Once a sensible stream appears they ****** off simply because they are incapable of rational argument or discussion. Possibly intelligence levels ?”