Hull desperate to end away run at winless Broncos

In all fairness, they will have no better chance given the Airlie Birds are at bottom-placed London Broncos who have lost all 14 league games – home and away – this season.

If they fail again this afternoon it will equal the worst start to a season in the competition’s history, Huddersfield Giants having lost their first 15 games in 2001 when they were later relegated.

However, given Hull’s own dire form – they have lost four successive matches – and their hosts’ steady improvement under new coach Joe Grima, it is not a foregone conclusion.

“I don’t need reminding that we haven’t won on the road yet,” said Radford, whose side last prospered away from the KC Stadium at Wigan last August.

“And I know we’re not back playing at home until July (due to resurfacing work).

“We’ve been in and around games but we’ve not put teams to the sword when needed to.

“Hopefully we’ll get that right on Saturday.

“We’ve just got to turn up with the right attitude and play at the right tempo to get a result.

“The camp is surprisingly upbeat.

“Looking at the league table you’d think some blokes would be kicking stones but everybody is enjoying training.

“We’ve been in plenty of games getting beat by one or two points, such as Warrington, Castleford and St Helens and that has to stop soon.”

Their last win was actually against London on Easter Monday when they prospered 40-4.

“It’s the second time we’ve played them now and they’ve got a little bit more structure than first time around,” he said.

“There’s a little bit more energy in their performances and that’s down to the new coach coming in.

“They gave Hull KR a game in a spell after half-time and they did the same against Catalan the week prior.

“They’re going to be desperate to get a result, as are we.”

Radford is boosted by the return of second-row Chris Tuson from a hamstring injury while newly-signed former Catalan Dragons centre Setaimata Sa could make a first start after coming off the bench versus Leeds Rhinos last Friday.

Hull can ill-afford another defeat given they are edging closer to the relegation zone.

“I’ve been here a million times as a player and I’m fairly used to it,” added Radford.

“It’s different as a coach, though.

“You tend to cop a bit more flak and the penny stops with me.

“We’ve simply not played well enough and we’ve not been clinical enough.

“Every game is a must-win but we’re more than capable and things will turn soon.”