LEE Radford says it will take an improved performance by his Hull FC players to stay in a competition he's described as massive for the club.
The Hull coach will enjoy his first taste of Challenge Cup action tonight when the Black and Whites host Salford at the KC.
Desperate to take a step closer to Wembley, Radford says for many of his players who played in last year's disappointing 16-0 final defeat to Wigan, there will be some extra motivation.
Pointing to a new era at the club, the rookie coach insists his only focus is the immediate goal of navigating past a dangerous and wounded opponent in Salford.
And despite beating the Red Devils 30-8 just six days ago in Super League, Radford has called for an improvement by his players tonight, aware the Red Devils will be desperate for a response.
"The cup is big for this club and this is a massive fixture for the club," said Radford.
"We left Wembley Stadium empty last year. We showed some unbelievable efforts leading up to the final and then to not deliver on the big stage was heartbreaking and that never got fixed at the back end of last year.
"But that's last year's squad, last year's coaching staff and this year is different.
"Some individuals certainly have a point to prove after last year's final. As a club we want to be as successful as we can and that starts tonight against very good opposition.
"I certainly think we'll need to be better this week."
Having lost the 2008 final as captain of Hull and the 2013 final as assistant coach of the Black and Whites, Radford is desperate to add a winners medal as a coach to the playing one won with Bradford Bulls.
Hull's first of four hurdles on the path to Wembley is a sizeable one in the form of big-spending Salford.
The Red Devils have had the pressure increased by ambitious owner Marwan Koukash.
Having under performed at the KC last week, Radford expects Brian Noble's side to arrive back in the city with a point to prove and an air of desperation.
Pointing to how his own side used a similar situation to inspire their win over Salford last week, the Hull coach is anticipating a response that will require the very best from his players.
"They are where we were a week ago because we didn't do ourselves justice against Widnes and they'll think that after playing us last week," added Radford.
"It's a game on paper they feel they should have won and will be after a response. There is some pressure internally from the man above them and they have some things going on in the background with regards the coaching set-up and they have Gareth Hock back, so there will be a response.
"We will have to be better. We need to be as good as we were energy wise.
"The crowd know how important the cup is to this club and they can really help us. Last week, when we were on our try line defending like we did, they really helped us with their noise.
"It has an effect on the players on the field and hopefully we can give them reason to cheer."
Source : http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-FC-coach-Lee-Radford-Challenge-Cup-clash/story-20904950-detail/story.html
