ALMOST a year ago to the day, Jay Pitts arrived in a surprise move from Leeds Rhinos with his new coach proclaiming him an ideal fit.
Smaller than most props, Pitts' mobility and ball skills were the deciding factor in Peter Gentle making the Easter move.
In the subsequent 12 months Gentle has continued his recruitment in the same vein, focussing on speed and agility over size and strength.
The trouble is, Hull's biggest assets have been their downfall in the opening two months of the season as a lack of direction from the halves and some poor weather conditions have been more conducive to a style not best befitting the Black and Whites.
With that lesser-spotted yellow ball of light in the sky making more frequent appearances of late, the ground has begun to dry up and, according to Pitts, Hull's strength can finally see them begin to climb the table.
"We have a fast team and we like to work with that and execute in that way," Pitts explained.
"As the weather improves the pitches get faster and that plays into our hands. We are not the only side that will benefit, we know that. It will speed the games up, but that is a massive positive for us.
"We have a lot of skill and pace in the team and we can trust our passing game more in the drier weather. I think you'll see a lot more attractive style from us."
The early stages of that growing style were evident against Catalan last week, with Pitts and his fellow forwards eager to show off a passing game that incorporated the back division much more.
For a side whose strength lies in the pace exhibited by Tom Briscoe, Tom Lineham and Ben Crooks, the lack of ball to the outside backs this season has been significant.
Against the French outfit, Hull shifted the ball wide as early and often as possible, with the front row a big part of that passing game as the Black and Whites played around the Dragons rather than attempt to go through them.
According to Pitts, Hull's approach has taken them in a new direction, with the emphasis now being on all the players to take onus for the side's attacking threat.
"We are developing the idea that every player on the field is a threat for us," added Pitts.
"It is not just a case of the forwards just going forward while we wait for the backs to do their job. Everybody in this team can play with the ball, can hit a line, can score, we trust everyone's skill.
"We know we have the skill to off-load or hit the line and pass, and that's the approach we've taken on board."
Hull will put that new attacking approach to the test this afternoon against a Salford side whose own season plummeted to a new low last week with a crushing 58-24 defeat at Widnes Vikings.
The Reds have struggled on without a head coach and sit second from bottom with only troubled club Castleford below them.
Despite that, Pitts insists Salford cannot be taken lightly.
"Salford are a very good team, they offer a massive threat and we have to be a lot better than we were against Catalan," said Pitts.
"You have to forget about the results Salford have had and play them as the good team they are, not the results they've had.
"They have beaten Warrington and Huddersfield this season, so you can see there they have it in them to win big games. They are very good with the ball and when they get it right they are up there with the top teams.
"It is a matter of us making sure they are not allowed to get it right.
"We are on a good run now, but the main thing is to take it week by week and not get carried away.
"We have to start at 100 miles an hour in the first minute and maintain that until the 80th minute. That's what we need to do this week and every week from now on."
