Radford ready to soak up pressure at Hull FC

Hull FC coach Lee Radford has acknowledged that he is under pressure ahead of Thursday evening’s derby against Hull Kingston Rovers.

FC fans have not been happy with the way the team’s season has panned out so far, with the Airlie Birds currently in 11th place in Super League, with two wins to their name from seven games.

“There are some unhappy people, but that is natural and it comes with losing,” Radford told the Hull Daily Mail.

“We are just striving for that one win and a change of fortune and we feel that one win could change things. There’s no better result to do that than a derby win.

“As a coach it is my job to soak up that pressure. I’m big enough and ugly enough to handle everything which is thrown at us and it is my job to take the criticism and make sure the players don’t feel any of that when they get to training.

“It is a derby game. It is a high pressurised game of high intensity and it brings with it a lot of pressure, regardless of where either side is on the table.

“I know what a win can do. According to reports, and a million posts on social media, I had quit my job on Saturday.

“This week we could be knocking on the door of fourth again with a derby win.”

Hull will be without Marc Sneyd for the game, with the half-back having been ruled out for a month with an ankle problem.

Front rower Chris Green is also out for six weeks, with a medial ligament injury.