LEE DOUGLAS: Hullensians effort one of our worst

It has been a constant problem since I came to the club, that we can’t carry on good performances into a run of form.

We were superb against an exceptional Bradford & Bingley a week ago, and then we put in arguably our worst performance of the season at Hullensians.

That first 40 minutes were dire.

When you’re under the cosh, that’s when you look to your key players to drag you up, on Saturday our key players didn’t stand up.

I couldn’t single out an individual player from Saturday’s team who performed, and it’s incredibly frustrating.

It’s not a nice thing to experience as a coach, having your team turn up and play out of their skins one week, and then play so poorly the following game.

Credit to Hullensians, they came out all guns blazing and they were superb in the first half.

They kicked well, attacked at the right times and they capitalised on how woeful we really were in the first 40 minutes.

Fair enough, after half-time we spent a bit more time in their half, but we still didn’t look like creating much until we had a man advantage late on and managed to get over.

Saturday was a good chance to really close the gap on the top four in the division and we couldn’t do it.

It is a funny old league and there are still plenty of points to play for, so anything is possible.

We certainly have to improve at Bradford Salem on Saturday if we want to get anything out of the game, that’s for sure.

The guys need to stand up and be counted now. Saturday was rubbish and it definitely wasn’t good enough, so we will see who comes out fighting this weekend.

The Vikings had another win on Saturday, 10-5 against Hullensians’ second team, and they’re doing very well in the league.

It just makes me wonder what the club could achieve if the guys stretched themselves and went on to see what is possible.

They’re second in the league now, but could be top if lads were turning out regularly at training. We need to have that competition for places of lads who are putting the hard yards in during the week.

Look at Richard Scales, he started the season in the Vikings and was frustrated that he couldn’t get a place in the first team.

He’s now taken his chance, worked hard on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at training and is established with us.

It just shows what can be achieved with hard work, he’s been fantastic since he stepped up with us.

Liam Murray has been selected for Canada’s under-18s squad for their tour of Ireland.

I have to say I have been really impressed with Liam since he joined up with us. He is always listening, taking things in and looking to learn.

I wish him all the best on their tour and I look forward to seeing him next season.