Hull FC Interim Head Coach Andy Last admitted he was “gutted” as his side fell to a 36-4 defeat against Wigan Warriors in the quarter-finals of the Coral Challenge Cup.
Last was critical of his side’s attitude throughout the clash, particularly with how they started and their inability to correct things.
Reflecting on the match, Last said, “I am totally gutted about the result. We did not give a good enough account of ourselves.
“It is a shame to say this but this group of players just lack that belief when they go against the top four teams.
“When we went against Warrington, it is like they will wait and see what Warrington turns up before we apply ourselves and I felt that was the same again today.
“It just felt as though we were in awe of Wigan. The first 20 minutes came and went and we were 16-0 down before getting into the contest after that.
“That is something that has been evident. Certainly against Warrington as well as other top four sides.
“We just need to go and impose into the game and apply our way and we did not do that today until 30 minutes had gone.
It was the third match for Hull in just nine days, something that also did not please the Hull boss.
He added, “We do not have much time to correct this for the Salford game on Thursday and that is the problem you are getting.
“All you are doing is just throwing players out. Showing a little bit of video and preview.
“We had one session leading into the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup against Wigan, which was limited and very tough.
“We will recover and review tomorrow. On Monday, they will have a session. Tuesday off. Team run on Wednesday then playing again on Thursday.
“That is not a lot of time to fix things. It is a real tough spot we are in at the moment but it is the same for everyone else and we just have to get on with it.”