Zak Hardaker makes big Hull FC top-six admission and uses Hull KR example

Yahoo

a day ago

Zak Hardaker has insisted that this Hull FC side is a top six team – and on their day, even a top four one – but they have to continue to turn up every week, put the performances in, and look to get better.
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The Black and Whites currently hold onto sixth position in Super League, with Sunday's 38-6 win over Salford Red Devils keeping John Cartwright's side inside the play-off picture. But with key games coming up against the teams in and around them, Hull, who were far from perfect even in victory, know they have to first keep up their standards and then look for the necessary improvements in every game.
If they do that, then Hardaker, who knows a thing or two about making the play-offs and winning trophies, believes both the players and the ability are there to first control their own destiny and then achieve their end goal – with belief picked up from ten wins on the road this year, not to mention their current position.
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Speaking to Hull Live post-match, Hardaker said: "There was a lot of talk about where this team was going to be this year, and I don't think John has put any pressure on us internally, saying we need to finish top six, top four, or top two. But as our performances continue throughout the year, I'm man enough to say – and I've played this game a long time – that we're definitely a top six team. But it's up to us to turn up every week and put a good performance in.
"On our day we can be a top six team, even a top four team, but we're not on our day every week. That's the point with us. We train hard through the week, and sometimes it doesn't come off on the big day, but we're definitely a top six team, and I'd be telling lies if that wasn't definitely our aim now. We need to keep turning out wins and make our performances better.
"I think, with a fully fit team, we can beat anyone. I genuinely mean that. The two top teams at the minute are Wigan and Hull KR. Wigan fell short at Wakefield; Hull KR are really good, sublime to be fair, but on our day, I think we can match anyone.
"We played Hull KR two months ago; we had a man down for 70 minutes, and we contested for large parts. We can beat anyone; it's just about keeping our connections and keeping that willingness to work for each other. We want to make this club proud again, and we're on the right direction with that."
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And while Hull ran out seven-try winners at Salford, there were still parts of the performance that frustrated Hardaker, with the knowledge they can be better. The 33-year-old continued: "We're still frustrated with that performance – there were elements that were really good; we had 20-minute spells, but that's not enough, and against the bigger and better teams, you need to do 40 minutes, have a rest, and then do 40 again.
"We've done some dumb things, not finishing on last tackles, and some selections weren't good enough, and we ended up defending our line for large parts, and that drains you. There are parts where we can learn going forward. But it was good to get a good score on Salford, and we're looking forward to Warrington now.
"It's a mad league at the moment, and that's why we have to play well every week. It doesn't matter who we are playing – we have to be a good Hull FC team and one that makes people proud. Hopefully, we can keep ticking those two points off. It's a tough game up next, and it will be another good test to see where we're at."
Hull head to the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday for the second time this year. It comes before a big run of home fixtures at the MKM Stadium, something this team has to be ready for.
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Hardaker added: "I think John touched on it before; we've got eight of the last 11 games at home. The FC fans have turned out week in, week out; they've been tremendous, and they were brilliant again here.
"It's really important that we get a home win now. We've just got the draw against Leigh, and that's disappointing, but it's Warrington next, and they'll be looking to bounce back up (after defeat to Huddersfield). It's up to us to put in a really good performance ahead of our run of home games, but we know where we need to be. We just need to keep building."