TOM Lineham says Hull FC's players are focused on deeds not words this pre-season as they bid to deliver on the club's potential. A year on from the pre-season hype that built the Black and Whites up as top-two contenders only for indifferent form in Super League to follow, Lineham wants the hyperbole cut and for his side's form to do the talking for them.
Although confident Hull can deliver on their potential, the 22-year-old winger says there will be no shouting from the rooftops about his side's trophy chances.
"With Hull the potential is there every year but it is about delivering on that potential on the pitch," Lineham told the Mail. "There is a lot less talk this year about what we are going to do. The focus is on knuckling down in training, nobody is shouting about what we are going to do. It's about having that focus and then at the end of the season when it is all over, hopefully we can then start talking about winning and what a good year it's been."
Last year's hype did little to aid Hull's cause, particularly after a poor start, which only served to increase the pressure on former coach Peter Gentle and his players. While previous pre-season camps have seen targets and goals set early, new coach Lee Radford is yet to discuss the matter with his squad, preferring instead to keep the focus on training and preparation for the new season.
For Lineham, the current focus remains on rehabilitation following wrist surgery and an impending return to the training pitch.
"I get the pot off on Monday and I've got four weeks of rehab to strengthen it up before I can get back to full training," adds Lineham. "I'm hoping to be fully fit for when we go on camp to St George's the week before Christmas.
"I got most of the work done at the army camp and I enjoyed it, but it's tough when you're missing out on the field sessions in pre-season."
