KYLE TROUT is hoping a strong run to end the season will provide much-needed positivity at Hunslet – and ensure he’s the man continuing to lead their recovery.
After stepping up from assistant coach last July, during a season in which Hunslet finished bottom of the old-style Championship with only two wins, Trout has overseen five wins from 18 games in this year’s merged division.
They go into Sunday’s home clash with high-flying Oldham on a three-match losing streak but, after that, they don’t play any of the current top six in their five remaining games.
As well as ensuring as high a finish in the table as possible, Trout wants wins on the board to show he has taken things in the right direction despite an injury-hit campaign.
“When Neil (Hampshire, CEO) and the board came to me about coaching the club it was always set out as ‘change doesn’t happen overnight’,” he explained.
“I know it’s frustrating from a fan point of view, where we are at the minute, but there is an opportunity to finish on a decent run.
“I’m only contracted for this season but I am actively recruiting (players for next season).
“To a point I’m guessing it depends on how the next two months go, but I can’t focus on that. I can only focus on giving the team the best chance to put in some performances and get some results.
“It was always going to be a big transition year – we had two wins last year.
“We haven’t won for a bit and we lost to Workington which was a big game for us. I know there’s an expectation from fans and there’s pressure on me – it’s a supporter-owned club.
“It’s a results-based game and we want to get some results. I don’t think we’ve been beaten tactically, it’s self-inflicted issues.
“If we can nail effort areas and be smarter with things, we’ll give ourselves a better chance.”