Tony Smith left questioning Hull FC player ability

Tony Smith has given an incredibly honest assessment about the state of his Hull FC side, particularly the individual buy-in from each player after another humiliating Super League defeat.

Huddersfield Giants turned up at the MKM Stadium for the second time this season and registered ten tries, earning a 56-22 victory just weeks after their 50-6 Challenge Cup win at the same venue.

That marked the third occasion this campaign that Hull FC have shipped 50+ points and took the try tally conceded to 36 in their past four games, sparking outrage from fans about the state of the club.

There were several calls for ‘Smith out’ from fans but plenty were left pointing the figure at owner Adam Pearson, especially following Sky Sports’ estimated salary spend revealed FC had spent well below the £2.1 million salary cap.

Hull FC’s estimated spend of £1.8 million ranks fourth lowest in Super League but interestingly Salford Red Devils spend £100,000 less and have performed at a far higher level.

Tony Smith has since fronted up to the press and told Hull FC’s website that he may have to resort to “different ways” to try and turn results around.

Smith said: “I feel sorry for the boys who are ripping in and doing everything they can. I feel for the guys who aren’t able to pull their weight in the right way, I feel for them, as I know they’d really like to, but until we all get in good enough form to be able to compete at this level, you’re not going to get the results. It’s getting everybody in good enough form to do that. How do we do that? Well, we might have to try some different ways. ”

Tony Smith assures fans that Hull FC players are behind him

With such poor performances, particularly defensively, there have been questions about player quality as highlighted through the estimated salary spend, but also the player’s effort.

Earlier in the season Sam Tomkins spoke live on Sky Sports suggesting that “the desire hasn’t been there” as he questioned the efforts of the playing squad at Hull FC.

Tony Smith has now claimed that the players are bought in but accepted that some players are able to work to his instructions better than others.

He argued: “Are my messages sinking in? For sure. Some are just able to do it better than others. Are you asking me whether they are on board with me? I believe so. Am I on board with them? Yeah. ”

Continuing, he did admit that he had doubts about the quality of some, stating: “There are a couple where I’m questioning whether they can do what we need them to do. Some of them may have to go and rebuild their game in reserve grade and rebuild their confidence. We may need to rebuild them in all sorts of ways; both physically and psychologically. The rest of us; we all need to toughen up, get on with the hard work and make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”