Pressure is growing on Hull FC and John Cartwright.
Pressure is growing on John Cartwright and Hull FC after a poor start to the new year.
Hull FC’s injury-hit squad has left John Cartwright under pressure after a dismal start to the new season, and Super League legend and former Castleford Tigers boss Danny McGuire admits even the best coaches struggle when the top players are missing.
Hull FC are without several first-team stars, including livewire full-back Will Pryce, sidelined for the season with an ACL injury. The club’s poor start to the year – just one Super League win and a fourth round Challenge Cup exit at the hands of Leigh Leopards – has only ramped up the pressure.
Some supporters have already started calling for changes at the MKM Stadium, but McGuire, who has navigated similar challenges during his own coaching career, hinted at patience.
“John Cartwright is an amazing guy and a great coach, but what can you do when some of your best players are out?” McGuire said on the latest episode of All Out Rugby League ’s Back Ten.
“Ultimately as a coach, it’s really hard without your top players. You can talk about developing youngsters, and I love that – I had some of my best times doing exactly that – but if you want results at the top level, you need the marquee players on the field. Will Pryce injured, Cartwright injured, Ese’ese, Batchelor, while James Bell is just back – they can’t compete without them.
“It’s hard – really hard. You want to win, that’s why you’re in this game. Across sports, we’ve seen great coaches upskill players from the lower divisions, but at the end of the day, if your big stars aren’t playing, it’s a real uphill battle.”
McGuire warned that Cartwright will be feeling the heat, with Hull FC sitting 11th on the table despite pre-season predictions of a top-six finish.
The next challenge doesn’t get any easier, as Hull host a hungry Leeds Rhinos side looking to bounce back from their own Challenge Cup defeat to Wakefield Trinity.
“As a coach, you feel the pressure – you do,” added McGuire.
“I’ve been in similar scenarios. At Hull KR, I think we had 16 players at one time. At Castleford, we also had key senior players out. It’s really tough, and there’s no magic answer – you just have to front it up and deal with it.”
McGuire also believes Hull KR’s recent success under Willie Peters is adding extra pressure on their city rivals. The Robins claimed a clean sweep of trophies last year, and were also crowned World Club Challenge heroes earlier this year with a historic win over Brisbane Broncos.
“I think it doubles down on Hull FC because of how well Hull KR are doing,” McGuire said.
“I think when your rivals and your biggest competitors are being successful, and you’re losing and not at your best hurts even more.”