Simon Grix sets key Hull FC performance test as side prepare for Leeds Rhinos battle

Simon Grix has challenged his Hull FC side to focus on their performance against Leeds Rhinos rather than the result. The Black and Whites go up against the Rhinos on Sunday afternoon on the back of eight defeats from their opening nine games.

However, Grix, despite the 58-0 scoreline at St Helens last week, believes it was a step forward for his side in terms of effort and spirit, with many young players standing up. And now with a few more senior figures returning to the side, it's the performance that counts, with the knowledge that eventually, the results will go in tandem.

Asked for things to take into this week's game after a long week of training, Grix told Hull Live: "Confidence in how brave we were with the ball. That, the scramble, and effort for each other. They are the focuses and if we can build on that bravery, and get a bit more of the ball and a bit more field position, it will all look a little bit different.

"We've made some steps forward in some areas. We just need to keep building on them. Again, I'm not looking at the scoreboard too much, that will look after itself when we get the elements that are important right.

"We want to win and we're going in with a plan where we think we can execute and expose some of Leeds' areas that suit us and our attributes well. But performing well doesn't always lead to the two points, but that's what we're after. If we can put ourselves in a position to take the points, that'd be brilliant, but I think, again for us, it's about building on what we've got at the moment and seeing some improvement. That would be great for us."

Tasked to see more of the ball in better areas this week and even up metre and possession counts, Hull have it all to do against Leeds. However, Grix wants to see his side stick to the 'talentless' elements that earned them some pride at Saints; things like effort, desperation, spirit, and grit. They go a long way.

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"If we're judging ourselves on the scoreboard alone given the predicament we're in, we're going to be down on ourselves every week," Grix added. "It's not a nice place when you're struggling and you're losing, so we've got to try and find the positives. We've got to acknowledge what's wrong and try to keep on improving on it, but we have to be positive.

"I hear it from fans and loads of people, but all everyone wants is to see the team having a dig. I thought they saw that last week. It's a building block and we've just got to stick to that effort level, but our performance has got to keep climbing as well.

"It's a vicious cycle when you're losing; trying hard and not getting the reward. We've had 10/15 minute blips in games where we've conceded four or five tries in those periods. That's where the glassy eye bit comes in, 'It's Groundhog Day, we're getting this again,' and then we've managed to string a bit together.

"It's been up and down, it's tough, but we can't moan about it. We're privileged. There's no job I'd rather be doing and it's the same for the boys. We've just got to keep coming to work and trying to get better."

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