We have now seen our team play two competative games and can start to get a feel on what things have changed or improved.

For me, the most noticable difference is out mental toughness. There was a 5 min period in the first half against Warrington where we allowed them to score two quick tries. In the past our heads would have gone down and we would have been blown out of the water, but instead, we stuck to it and kept ourselves in the game.

Last night we had our backs to the wall for the final 20 mins and managed to still come out with the win. I think we have a long way to go and are probably a fair way of the best teams in the comp, but I am convinced that we have 3 points in the bag that we wouldn't have had last season.

We have yet to see the true potential of the squad, but what we have seen is that Gentle has instilled a far tougher, hard working attitude in our squad than what we have witnessed in the past.

The building blocks have clearly been laid by Gentle and his coaching team. I like what I see on and off the field and can see us only getting stronger, fitter and better as the weeks pass. I like our kicking game and i'm pleased to see Horney getting his confidence back. Under Gentle we will come on in leaps and bounds, that is already clear to see from the two competitive performances. Seymour will make all the difference in our attack and he gives us options with a confident Horne.

We're already far better at controlling the Ruck. It's not perfect and not as good as Wigan/Wire for instance but were on the right path. I'd still like to see attack from a bit deeper but we at least look more dangerous and even the drop off looks a lot more polished and actually seems to have a purpose to it rather than just the default move because we're not organised.

For me we seem to actually have a game plan that is executed on the field and stuck to regardless where as we either never had one before or just didnt stick to it.

As has been said previous seasons we would most likely have been blown off the pitch in the Warrington game after they got those tries in quick succession but we didnt panic and stuck to the game plan as it was simple mistakes/errors that cost us nothing more. Last night game we would have most likely been close to losing if not lost it, but the players have a belief that is being instilled in them by Gentle and so far it is very positive.

I dont for one minute think we will be world beaters this season but the foundations are being laid by the new regime.

Don't know if anyone noticed but pinned to the wall in the changing room was a sign saying "concede less than 2 trys" so it looks like they ate given specific goals for each game.

yeh i noticed that mate

Better defensive structure and work in the ruck. Still much to do in attack but the early signs are good. Standard of expectation and attainment right across the club appears to be much higher.

One thing I noticed one a concerted effort to turn the opponent onto his back in the tackle,

appeared very deliberate and not something we have done very well in recent years

Gentle still seems scared 54itless when talking to the media. As for plays and structures still early days

Yeah, while its a drop off its a different version because the person running the drop off line runs behind 2 players (prop and ball carrier)instead of it been really obvious.

In the second half we had that same structure in place and instead of dropping the guy off we were hitting the prop who was the lead runner.

The drop off tactic is one which comes to fruition in the last 15-20 minutes or so, and it was a pity that with Moa getting sent off, we didn't really get to see it.

The drop offs are aimed at targetting certain opposition players in defence, constantly running their channel and tiring them out. At times it may look as though the player is running back into the melee and some fans seemed to be getting frustrated with it. As I say, it may take an hour or so of running at them, but eventually they'll miss a tackle/give away a penalty.

We do similar (not very well) at amateur level. We call it a 'shotgun set', load up two each side of the ruck and pepper the same 2/3 blokes. After the third sraight set of doing this, cracks start appearing.

Think you were right with your earlier comment, I could understand the negativity under Agar. but to be bashing the coach after 2 unbeaten competitive games stinks of troll to me as well.

Been successful so far then

Does he? What does that make sandercock? He can't even look anyone in the eye

On the face of it maybe not but the purpose is to focus the players on making the extra effort in defence and that has certainly improved.

We'd almost certainly have achieved it last night with 13 men on the pitch.

Agreed. We'd have also put another couple of scores at least on them IMO.

Yup. In the last twenty our dominance would have shown and I wouldn't have been surprised to see us hit 40.

I like Gentle, he is professional in his manner and his coaching, non of this nickname pally pally rubbish we had with Agar. You can see the respect the players have for him and when they finally get to play how he wants them to, then we will see us marching up the league. The main difference for me is I want to be there supporting the team a lot more than ever. Roll on Salford!!

Sack him! That must be oooh 2% of his job.

Jeez...

gentle looks the part and seems at this early stage to be turning hull around, is it me or do sum people the usual suspects i call them come on here pretending to be fc supporters but always have negative comments no matter what? mmmmmmmmm

Which he's doing perfectly well. HKS would bag him whatever.

I'm also liking what i'm seeing.

Last year we would have 100% folded against London after Moa was red carded - different players or Gentles input?

It's also great seeing specialists at work rather than utility bods everywhere. The McKinnon try was class - he saw the gap and pointed out to the kicker exactly where he wanted the ball putting. Made it look like a stroll in.

Too early for me yet, very hard to comment when the scrum half has only played one meaningful game. I got a bit frustratred with the inside ball last night, but it was working! Saints do that a lot, and then a Roby/Lomax type will hit the space. Hope we don't stop offloading the ball alltogether, didnt seem to be much of that last night and we were in the top stats for this last year. Decent start though.