Concern for Bradford in short supply as Radford eyes points

The sides meet tonight with financially-crippled Bradford – still beset by off-field problems – looking to get the victory that will see them negate the six-point deduction for entering administration.

However, Radford has no sympathy for their situation given his own side are staring down the barrel of three successive losses.

“I am not one bit concerned with what is going on there,” said the former prop, who played over 150 games for Bradford.

“We need two points on Friday and their issues are their issues.

“Whatever it takes to motivate them is fine, but what we know is we need to be sat on four points come Friday night and that is the be all and end all for us.”

Radford claims this evening’s fixture is more an examination of his own squad’s resolve than anything else given what they have set as goals for 2014.

“It will be a tough battle, but we’ve got as much desperation for these two points as they have,” he continued, after defeats on the road to St Helens and Warrington since their opening night home win over Catalan.

“It is something we spoke about in pre-season with regard to when you play opposition that you are expected to beat.

“In times gone by we probably haven’t done that. This is the first game this year where we’ve been expected to get the win – Bradford at home you’d like to think you can get something from it. We spent all pre-season barking on about these type of games. Friday is probably the acid test.”

Hull – who see Richard Whiting make his 250th career appearance – have won their last four home meetings with Bradford, their opponents’ last victory at the KC Stadium coming in September 2009.

Radford knows they will pose threats, but believes the West Yorkshire club’s opening schedule has aided their cause in delivering two wins from three.

“If you look at the last two fixtures they’ve had, the Wakefield win was not the prettiest of games and they’ve had their issues with getting players in,” he said.

“Then last week against London and being at home, you’d expect Bradford to get a result in that too. They’ll have momentum from winning, but they are games you’d expect Bradford to win.”

Widnes twice came from behind in a thriller at the Select Security Stadium to maintain their perfect start to the new First Utility Super League season with a 32-18 win over Salford.

Salford, without injured England pair Rangi Chase and Gareth Hock, were undone by Kevin Brown’s late try double.

n The 2014 Kingstone Press Championships Finals Day will be staged at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Sunday October 5.