Castleford working hard to put it right says Powell

Castleford Tigers head coach Daryl Powell admits his squad are desperately short of confidence after suffering their biggest defeat of the season.
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They were vanquished 48-6 at Hull FC and have now won just once in their last nine games.

Troubled Castleford were 24-0 down inside 24 minutes and never looked capable of recovering.

Powell said: “It was a tough game.

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“Obviously the start rattled us. We were 12 nil down in no time and we couldn’t really find a way back in. Kick tries were damaging us all the way through and it’s disappointing; we’re in a real tough situation.

“We have to find a way out of it and we are short of confidence.

“We can’t get that through training as we play Thursday, Monday and Friday.

“We need a win to get that confidence and I just have to make sure they’re getting the right messages from me.

Happy chap: Manu Ma’u of Hull FC celebrates with team-mates after scoring a try against Castleford. Picture by Ash Allen/SWpix.comHappy chap: Manu Ma’u of Hull FC celebrates with team-mates after scoring a try against Castleford. Picture by Ash Allen/SWpix.com
Happy chap: Manu Ma’u of Hull FC celebrates with team-mates after scoring a try against Castleford. Picture by Ash Allen/SWpix.com
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“We have to keep our resolve. We have a lot working hard but too many just not playing well at the moment.”

Castleford’s young wingers Brad Day - on his Super League debut - and Alex Sanderson were put under immense pressure by the kicking game of Jake Connor and Marc Sneyd.

“There’s no blame attached to the young fellas,” insisted Powell.

“Hull have some outstanding players on those edges and they caused us a lot of trouble.

Dotting down: Jake Connor of Hull FC scores one of his team's eight tries. Picture by Ash Allen/SWpix.comDotting down: Jake Connor of Hull FC scores one of his team's eight tries. Picture by Ash Allen/SWpix.com
Dotting down: Jake Connor of Hull FC scores one of his team's eight tries. Picture by Ash Allen/SWpix.com
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“We worked hard but they were too strong and we’re not playing with confidence that’s clear. We have some players who desperately need to find some improvements in their game.”

Powell praised the rugged prop Tyla Hepi and said: “I thought he was a stand-out today; defensively he really went after the opposition.

“He’s one of those players who get under the skin of opposition; they want to go belt him as he keeps coming at you.

“Jacques O’Neill went well when he went to nine and Adam Milner was great today.

Wembley bid: Hull FC's Gareth Ellis runs at Castleford Tigers' George Griffin during the Black and Whites' Challenge Cup win. Picture: PAWembley bid: Hull FC's Gareth Ellis runs at Castleford Tigers' George Griffin during the Black and Whites' Challenge Cup win. Picture: PA
Wembley bid: Hull FC's Gareth Ellis runs at Castleford Tigers' George Griffin during the Black and Whites' Challenge Cup win. Picture: PA
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“As professional rugby league players, no one wants to lose. It’s happening to me and this team more than I’ve ever experienced but I’d just ask everyone to realise we’re working hard. Clearly that game against Hull KR on Thursday is really important.”

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James Mitchinson