PETER Gentle says an attitude adjustment is needed at Hull FC after admitting his side are a mile away from where they were a month ago.
Hull went down to back-to-back defeats after losing an exciting encounter at Castleford 30-28, but it was the manner of the loss which caused Gentle concern.
The Black and Whites outscored their hosts six tries to five despite often lacking composure in attack, but it was in defence where Hull fell away, conceding 24 second-half points to see the win escape them.
"I'm disappointed, we didn't give ourselves a chance and didn't deserve to win the game," said Gentle.
"To concede that many points, you don't deserve to win games. We are a mile from where we were a month ago. We lacked composure, we tended to panic with the ball and when you defend how we are doing, it puts pressure on your attack, so it is a two-fold thing."
A second successive defeat leaves Hull still sixth in the Super League table but now looking over their shoulder with St Helens only a point behind and Hull KR able to draw level if they win in France tonight.
Hull improved on their last display against Catalan but faltered in defence in the second half as a 10-point lead became an eight-point deficit in eight second-half minutes as Cas scored three quick-fire tries.
Two Ben Crooks tries and an Aaron Heremaia score had put Hull in the ascendency, with Richard Owen getting a solitary try for the Tigers, but inspired by Rangi Chase, the hosts were dominant for large periods of the second half as Hull had to show their teeth to get back into the game.
Helped by two further tries for Crooks in a stellar performance, and with new signing Jacob Miller growing into the game, Hull came back and outscored their hosts six tries to five, but four missed conversions by Daniel Holdsworth meant Hull came up short.
With 10 days until their next game at home to Wakefield, Gentle has promised to address the problems.
He added: "We will work hard to sort it out. We have five or six players back for the next game and the performance made it easier for me to decide whether those guys come back in.
"We have a lot of work to do. It is a long turn-around now until Wakefield and we will get a fair bit of work into them, get some composure in attack and do some defensive work.
"An attitude adjustment is required."
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