Too obvious SC. No professional sportsman should need extra motivation to play at their best. Keep the wind ups say I.

This is one of the big things that separates clubs like Hull and us from the teams that win the title.

Leeds under McDermott and Wigan under Wane often went through bad runs mid season. They were able to work through it and get themselves together for the business end of the season.

With Hull or us though, it feels like once a bad run hits it becomes a pit we can't escape from.

Sure, but in practice players' focus and distraction will vary over a season. How often do you see a game where you can tell the favourites are still 'on the bus' for the first half. Those wind ups and insults are a great way to sharpen opponents focus before kick off.

If you were a young player coming up against Des Drummond in the 80s, and one of your team mates thought it was a good idea to go to the press and announce that Des was a bit soft, couldn't handle the physical side of the game, would you gently suggest that wasn't a good idea, or would you say meh, go ahead and wind him up, Des will be the same to face either way.

Yes...all his life.

LOL. Imagine doing that to Alan Rathbone, rest his soul. He would have battered you before the game.

I think there is quite a difference in targeting an individual rather than a team. If it does make a difference (it shouldn't but hey ho) it can just as easily lead to a rush of blood resulting in bad decision making, Cull being a classic example.

I guess then you're in to mind games, which when done tactically and subtly, a la Alex Ferguson, can be an effective way of distracting opponents.

The problem with ours is it isn't tactical or subtle its just a wind up along the theme of "we're gonna beat you lol". It's more on par with Tony Greig telling the West Indies that England were going to make them "grovel".

Wigan
St Helens
Hull FC
Catalans
Warrington
Leeds
Huddersfield
Castleford
Wakefield
Salford
Toronto
Hull KR

Each time you've tried it on us it's been overwhelmingly successful for you!!

I think we all remember the 3 eyed fish with fondness!