Simon Grix lays out ultimate Hull FC realisation after boos ring from away end

Simon Grix has reinforced his belief that Hull FC’s current position is not down to a coaching issue but due to ‘years of not getting things right.’

The Black and Whites were humiliated at London Broncos on Sunday afternoon, losing 34-18 in the capital. They hit their lowest point of the season to date, surrendering three leads to concede 18 unanswered points and allow their opposition their first victory of the season.

And while Grix was complimentary to London for their win, he hinted towards the reality of Hull’s current situation and, without spelling it out, referred to the continuous bad recruitment and retention calls that have left the club where they are.

However, the 38-year-old, who saw a ‘step back’ to previous performance levels after three weeks of small steps forward, isn’t giving up and is still preferred to fight for Hull’s cause with 16 rounds of the season still to go.

Speaking post-match, Grix said: “I don't want to be blaming, but I'll go back to what I've said at the very start when Tony (Smith) and Stan (Gene) left. While we all could have been better, and we can be better now, it's not a coaching problem, and it’s coming home to roost after years of not getting things right.

“We’ve just got to keep turning up, and we will do that as staff and try to pick them up and move on to the next one. There's a long way to go yet, but if we want to avoid more days like that, then we need to get more fight and desperation about us. It's a long time left, and we need to get something about us and show some pride in our jersey, ourselves, and what we're delivering.

"I do believe we are going to be better, but not everyone is going to be going with us. There are lumps on the road—tough bits, easy bits—but on today's performances, some blokes have given us reasons why we all might not all be going on that journey. It's disappointing because we are better than we have shown and have been better in recent weeks, but that looked like a performance from seven or eight weeks ago."

Hull's away support also let their feelings known after full-time, with boos ringing from the stand. It was quite hostile, with some choice words said, but Grix has no complaints after an 11th defeat in 12 games this season.

"It's disappointing, but they are entitled to their opinion," he added. "It's a long way down here, and it's a very expensive trip, so you can't really moan about it. You've got to give them reasons to cheer, which we have had lately. We've had the losses, but we've also had fight and desperation. That just wasn't there today, so they're probably fair in what they're doing."

Read more: Simon Grix blasts lack of 'fight and desperation' in Hull FC display as London earn first win