HOPE springs eternal at the Hull FC training ground. Lying 11th in the Super League table, it's not been a season for celebrations but such is the mood in the Hull camp neither is it a time for contemplation or commiseration.
While eight defeats by the smallest of margins have highlighted Hull's need to be both clinical and smarter with the ball, it's also offered a resolve and confidence among the group that the play-offs are more than within reach.
Thrown in front of the media spotlight this week, Dean Hadley wasted little time searching for the positives as FC head into round 20 and a game of great significance at Salford.
"It's been very frustrating so far this year. There's been one standout game where we haven't been in it, and that was Wigan at home," he explained.
"The rest we have all competed in well, but it's come down to poor decision making and errors.
"When you look at the losses, it's been one, two or three points and it's frustrating.
"The mood in the camp is really good, though, and that's what's making things frustrating. We're training well and everyone's bouncing and training hard. You can't put your finger on it.
"The top eight is definitely within reach. All it takes is a few back-to-back victories and a couple of results to go our way and you're right back in it again."
For a team that has won just two of their last nine games, going on a run could seem like an insurmountable task.
And yet, for all Hadley's confidence, it isn't misplaced.
Hull haven't been outclassed since their defeat to Wigan in early May and should have won many of the games that failed to bring victories. Their own failings have conspired to make sure that is not the case, but knowing the issue exists is at least going someway to helping the side resolve it.
With 16 points still to play for, and a few twists and turns guaranteed to come before the end of the campaign, getting back to winning ways is all-important tonight, no matter how the victory comes.
"We've got eight games left including tonight, and every one of those is a must-win," conceded Hadley.
"Whether it's a scrappy performance, we need a win and that's the end of it.
"Obviously, you'd love to perform really well and get the win but at the end of the day, we need to win. We can't afford to be dropping more points or the top eight will be out of reach."
The objective is clear, with Hadley set to return to the starting line-up up in an effort to play his part in securing a much-needed victory.
The 21-year-old's presence will take the average age of Lee Radford's side down even further, joining the likes of Jamie Shaul, Josh Bowden, Callum Lancaster, Tom Lineham and possibly Jordan Abdull.
"The youngsters have got to step up and play against these big names for Salford, but these kids are good enough to do that," added Hadley.
"They're not just in the side because there's no other choice, they're in there because they can play.
"There's no reason why they can't out-perform their opposite numbers and we get the win tonight."
