Huddersfield Giants Head Coach Backs Beleaguered Hull FC Counterpart Tony Smith
In a show of solidarity, Huddersfield Giants head coach Ian Watson has come out in support of his Hull FC counterpart, Tony Smith, amid growing speculation about the latter’s future with the struggling Black and Whites.
Hull FC’s dismal start to the 2023 season continued at the weekend, as they were convincingly defeated 22-56 by Waston’s Giants, conceding 40 points in the first half alone. This latest loss, coupled with Castleford’s victory over Salford, has left Hull second from bottom in the table on points difference.
Remarkably, the embattled Hull side have now conceded 50 points or more in three of their last four matches, leading to intense pressure on head coach Smith. However, Watson, speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, staunchly defended his fellow rugby league tactician.
“I said it before, I said it after the game that we played him, Tony’s a great coach and he’s a great guy,” Watson asserted. “He’s got a few injuries to deal with, but like most teams, if you get injuries and get injuries to main players, it’s very, very difficult.”
Watson pointed to Hull’s disrupted spine, with constant changes at hooker due to injuries to key players like club captain Danny Houghton, as a significant contributing factor to their struggles.
“If you have to swap and change your spine all the time, it doesn’t help,” Watson explained. “It becomes very difficult there because you’re not building any consistency or any continuity between the players. So everything’s getting disrupted.”
The Huddersfield boss was unwavering in his high praise for Smith, stating: “Can’t speak highly enough of him.” Watson’s words of support will undoubtedly be welcomed by the embattled Hull FC head coach as he looks to turn around his side’s fortunes.
Hull FC’s next fixture is a daunting clash against league leaders St Helens on Friday, April 19th at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
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