CHRIS Green admits his return to Hull FC has not exactly gone to plan, but insists there are still positives to take into their next clash against St Helens.
The 24-year-old only recently arrived back at the KC Stadium from a loan spell at Featherstone, having seen an ankle injury disrupt his start to the campaign.
Succumbing to three consecutive losses and Thursday's heart-breaking 18-18 home draw against Castleford, it has not been the sort of return to write home about.
Things won't get any easier on Friday with the arrival of high-flying Saints, but Green believes his side team-mates can end their win-less run if they stick together and continue to work hard.
He told the Mail: "Saints are a quality side like Castleford who like to throw the ball about and test you around the park. We've got to come up with an 80-minute shift.
"Lance Hohaia and James Roby are just two influential players for Saints, and Tom Makinson provides them with the tries on the edges. They have strike power around the pitch. Everyone has to be on their A-game or we'll get found out."
Undone by a late fightback from Cas, Hull were left to regret turning down the chance to kick a simple penalty when 18-4 ahead.
When Marc Sneyd, an FC capture for 2015, inspired his side to three tries in quick succession it was a case of here we go again for the Black and Whites, who have now lost ten games by 12 points or less this season.
Green, who has also been loaned to Doncaster this year, admitted the draw felt like a defeat but says he is glad to be back and fighting for his first-team spot.
"It's been the story of our year. We were in there for 76 minutes but were undone by a smart kick at the end. It's frustrating but all we can do is turn up for each other and play every week.
"It's hard to take, I'm sure it was a good game for the fans to watch, but we probably thought we had the game done and dusted.
"But somehow we found a way to lose – it feels like a loss to be leading in a commanding position throughout the game.
"It's good to be back in the team, though. It's unfortunate that we're losing at the minute but all I can do is play to the best of my ability and do what I can on the field.
"Personally, I just want to play in every game, like every other guy does.
"Hopefully, I can make Lee Radford's decision easier to keep me out there."
