Hull FC know they must improve – and are backing their big guns to help them do just that.
14:22, 13 Mar 2026Updated 14:48, 13 Mar 2026
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright.(Image: SW PIX)
John Cartwright is taking no notice of Hull FC’s critics after an indifferent start to the year and is insistent his side will improve as the season goes on – particularly as their big game players, namely John Asiata, get more time on the field.
The Black and Whites are one from four to start their Super League campaign and face Leigh Leopards – who have an identical record and have equally been criticised – in the Challenge Cup this Saturday afternoon.
However, Cartwright is confident his team can get back on track and has outlined what they need to do to topple the Leythers this week and get a pressure-relieving victory.
“I believe we have a side that is more than capable of winning,” the head coach said. “I don’t buy into it (the critics). It’s all about us putting an 80-minute performance together.
“I don’t think we’re far away – it’s just about trying to be consistent to get wins and then back it up with another win. That will get you moving pretty quickly.”
Outlining how Hull can get better this week, Cartwright continued: “Johnny being back is a big one; we upped his minutes last week, but he’s still got more left in him.
“You can’t teach or coach what Johnny does. He’s just got a great feel for the game. We’ve certainly missed him when he hasn’t been on the field; results will tell you that, but at the moment, we’re really looking after his health and making sure that we get plenty of minutes in him without playing too much under fatigue.
“That will come; it has to, as the game demands that, but at the moment, it’s more about John’s physical well-being and making sure that we do the right thing as far as his building his game time goes.
“Aidan (Sezer) and Jake (Arthur) are also spending more time together and it’s only going to help. But at the end of the day, if you don’t build pressure on teams, it doesn’t matter who you have got in the halves.
“We’ve got to get to a point where we are constantly threatening sides with the ball and not having a set with the ball and then turning a couple over. We’re not building any pressure at the moment.
“We created chances to win three of the four games and we’ve come up dry, so that’s what we’ve been dealing with as a squad. They were games we were probably expected to win at the start of the year, but it doesn’t always go to script. While injuries are part and parcel of the game, I don’t blame them for where we are sitting at the moment.”
Another outlet for Hull last week was James Bell, who made his club debut off the bench. The Kiwi is not set to face one of his former clubs in Leigh – with Cartwright stating he can add another dimension to the side.
“I thought he provided us with a little bit of X-factor last week,” the head coach added. “He’s not a traditional-type player. He’s not overly big or fast, but he has the ability to bounce off tackles, he’s fearless, he runs hard at the line, and he makes players around him better.
“He’s a very aggressive defender too. We’re just looking forward to getting him on the paddock consistently. I think he’s a player that can make a difference for us.”