RICHARD Whiting believes Hull FC are starting to show their strength and resolve – pointing to Saturday's win at Salford as evidence.
The Black and Whites' third successive victory may not have been pretty on the eye, but Whiting says it had all the other qualities needed to be a success.
"If you go back four or five weeks, the Salford game is exactly the sort of match that we have not been able to get over the line in," said Whiting, who scored twice in the victory.
"To find a way to win and grind out a result like we did is a massive positive for us.
"We have found a way that suits us at the minute and that is helping us grind out wins in games that we were losing earlier in the season.
"It's important we are in the top eight now. We didn't play well at the start of the season, but winning games back to back has helped. We have built confidence and have a way to play now that suits us."
Hull head into Sunday's Challenge Cup fourth-round tie with North Wales Crusaders hoping not only for a fourth win in a row, but also a first victory in the competition under Peter Gentle.
For Whiting the game represents the first step on what he hopes will be a third visit to the final, and a second appearance at the new Wembley Stadium.
A try scorer in Hull's 2005 cup final win in Cardiff against Leeds Rhinos, Whiting identifies that day as a career highlight.
But with nothing other than a routine victory expected against their Championship One opponents, he is warning against any complacency.
"I love playing in the cup, I have good memories from 2005," he said.
"We have been given a favourable draw, but it is not a draw we can take too lightly.
"In the grand scheme of our season, this is a chance to go four wins on the bounce and we can only do that if we have a good attitude.
"This will be their cup final and we need to make sure we are fully prepared and do our jobs."
Despite hobbling off with 10 minutes to go at Salford Whiting is hopeful of being involved on Sunday.
CENTRE Joe Arundel has been ruled out for six weeks with knee ligament damage.
