Hull FC’s coach John Cartwright and captain Aidan Sezer have both addressed the team’s current challenges and what lies ahead as they aim to get back to winning ways.
Speaking at today’s Hull FC press conference, Cartwright said he was confident that the return of Brad Fash, expected this week, would provide a much-needed boost to his squad.
The coach praised Fash’s versatility, with the forward able to play both in the middle and back row. “It adds depth to our squad,” Cartwright said, adding that Fash’s return will help free up players like Ed Chamberlain and Zach Hardaker to return to centre. While he acknowledged that Jack Ashworth had done a good job filling in for Fash, Cartwright said he believed the squad’s depth and options would increase with his return.
The coach also addressed Hull FC’s recent struggles in attack. After a dominant first-half performance against Warrington, the team has failed to replicate that form, with the coach attributing the issue partly to a lack of possession.
“If you get the ball 40 times throughout a match, you have more chance to score,” he said. “We’ve been getting to the end of sets 25 times, which limits our chances.” Cartwright emphasised the importance of holding on to the ball, building pressure, and executing a solid kicking game to create more scoring opportunities.
Sezer, reflecting on the team’s recent results, acknowledged the frustration of the loss to Huddersfield but said the team was now focused on improving and looking forward to their next match against Leeds. “We’ve had time to debrief and address what we need to improve,” he said.
“Now it’s about looking forward to Leeds and rectifying what went wrong.”
He also stressed the importance of keeping a collective focus on performance, particularly with the spine positions having changed frequently throughout the season.
Sezer acknowledged that while changes in the spine can disrupt rhythm, the squad’s ability to adapt is crucial. “We do a lot of repetition at training, so it’s not really a disruption,” he explained. “The more games we can play together as a spine, the better we’ll be.”
When asked about facing his former club Leeds, Sezer made it clear that personal connections don’t interfere with the team’s goal. “We’re going there to get a result, and that’s all that matters,” he said. “You might think about it when you turn up at Headingley, but it’s about getting your prep right and playing as a team.” Sezer’s focus remains on performing for the team, and he emphasised that preparation and discipline are key against a tough opponent like Leeds.
As the season heads toward its conclusion, both Cartwright and Sezer highlighted the importance of leadership, squad depth and team performance.
Cartwright believes the leadership of players like Zach Hardaker and Jordan Rapana will be vital as the team looks to get back on track.
“They’ll lead whether we’re undefeated or haven’t won a game,” he said. “It’s what they do, and it’s why they’re here.”
Sezer echoed this sentiment, adding that despite the personal ambitions of players, the focus must remain on team success. “It’s about doing what’s best for this club and performing as well as you can,” he said. “If you’re doing that, the honours will come.”
Interviews by Ian Judson