Hull FC interim coach Simon Grix has revealed that the side are expecting a big boost after their narrow defeat to Leeds Rhinos on Sunday, as many players are set to return to training from injuries.
Under new interim coach Grix, the Blacks and Whites looked like a brand new team; despite the loss, many fans were pleased to see their players fight and show determination towards the opponents.
The performance was in stark contrast to the 58-0 defeat to St Helens a week prior and FC fans will certainly have taken positives from the game, something that Grix has also done.
Hull FC showing promise and improvement
Credit: Imago Images
Speaking post-match, Grix told BBC Humberside that the team had taken a number of steps forward despite defeat with the ex-Warrington player seeing ‘green shoots’.
“I spoke with a couple of folks in the room in the week about being better for longer and I think we definitely were (better”,” Grix noted.
He offered praise to loanees Ed Chamberlain and Yusuf Aydin with both men having arrived at the MKM earlier in the week. Grix stated: “I thought Ed and Yusuf would come in and do a good job for us. I think everyone stepped up a bit.”
Grix was well aware that improvement isn’t enough and that he’s in a results-based business: “We’re still not where we want to be; we want the two points at the end of the day, but effort-wise, we weren’t beaten there again, which is great.
“We actually moved the ball and got a bit of a share of possession, which helped us to start playing a bit and gain some confidence of it. We didn’t get the points, but yeah, plenty to take out of that one,” Grix concluded.
Jake Trueman set for a welcome return
Credit: Imago Images
One of the biggest positives for Hull FC moving forward is players coming back from injuries. Grix’s side put in a good performance against Leeds and a couple of key players coming back from injury might be just what Grix needs to turn around their season.
Grix explained: “Jake Trueman is almost there. We’ll see how he looks this week in training. Cam Scott comes back into the mix, Tom Briscoe will be there and there might be a couple more I’m not sure.”
“If we can bring a couple more senior boys back in, it obviously does us well.”
Without Trueman the club have played young Jack Charles alongside Morgan Smith in the halves with pre-season signing Nu Brown already released and back in the NRL. Talking about Trueman and his return, Grix expected a boost but was quick to avoid piling the pressure on.
“He will come in and improve the team, but we’ve not got to put the weight of the world on his shoulders at the same time? He’s coming in on the back of a long lay-off. He’s looked great in training, of course, but do we really expect to see the best of Jake Truman over the next month if he returns next week? I don’t think so.
“It’s like starting the season all over when everyone’s rusty for that first month until you get into his stride, but I think he’ll be good. He’s definitely got some qualities that we’re missing at the moment, so we’ll welcome them back, and we’ll be patient about getting him back to exactly where we’d like him to be.”Grix concluded.
Hull FC are away to Warrington Wolves on Friday, a crucial match where they will look to build on their decent performance against Leeds and potentially cause a massive upset with a win against the Wolves.
