Zak Hardaker hopes critics keep writing Hull FC off after admitting that the doubters are fuelling him for the upcoming season. Hardaker, one of the Black and Whites' new recruits, is of the belief that the new-look squad can succeed, regardless of any outside noise.

Hardaker has enjoyed an illustrious career, winning three Super League Grand Finals, four Challenge Cups and the World Club Challenge. The prospect of adding to his trophy collection at the MKM Stadium would appear unlikely to many, with figures at the club openly admitting that the challenge of restoring their status as a title-winning squad won't happen overnight.

But Hardaker has seen and heard that all before. He was part of a Leeds squad often dismissed and an even better example is his move to Leigh Leopards, who were newly-promoted at the time and dismissed as viable contenders.

READ MORE: Herman Ese'ese reflects on Hull FC culture shock and fan reconnection importance

READ MORE: Hull FC confirm Christmas plans as John Cartwright looks for training increase

Two years at LSV saw Hardaker win at Wembley and reach the play-offs twice. So the suggestion Hull FC can't do something similar simply provides additional motivation.

"I love challenges," Hardaker said. "I signed at Leigh and everyone asked me why I'd done that. They'd not won anything for a long time, they'd just come up. We won the Challenge Cup, people said it was a fluke. People said Leigh wouldn't make the top six, we showed them. It's the same thing here, it's a different challenge for me.

"I love it when people say this club isn't what it used to be and that we'll do nothing this year. I don't know about anyone else but it just fires me up and gives us a chance to put two fingers up to whoever said it.

"Hull is a massive club, it's not used to being here. I got a taste of it when we had an awful season at Leeds in 2016, so I'm used to being at a top club that isn't performing. I just want to do what I can for this club."

Last year was difficult from an individual perspective at times last year. Hardaker had a spell where he wasn't involved in Leigh's matchday squad, a reality he hasn't faced throughout his career.

"I didn't like it at all," he said. "I was playing alright, he (Adrian Lam) said it wasn't performance-based, so I didn't really understand why if I'm totally honest. But he did say Umyla and Darnell would be playing there next year and he wanted to give them a go, then they ended up playing Saints and smashing them so it paid off to be fair, they played really well.

"It was just a matter of time for me to get back in and with a few injuries along the way I started slotted in everywhere, I thought I'd be making a cameo appearance against Salford in the play-offs and I told my parents not to come, then I ended up playing 72 minutes in a position I've never played in my life!"

Hardaker admitted that at one stage, he considered pursuing an early move to his new employers.

"In the spur of the moment, I probably just wanted to come straight to Hull and put my foot in the door for this season. But I sat down and spoke to my mum about it and I wanted to end my two years at Leigh, I didn't just want to leave partway through and not finish it off properly.

"But it was a question I asked myself and Lammy said if I wanted to leave I could do, he understands me better than anyone. But I have a lot of respect for everyone there and I wanted to help, so after a week or two of sulking I got over it pretty quick."

Having been given the number three jersey, Hardaker is set to be tasked, first and foremost, as a centre. However, having now added back-row to his repertoire of positions, he is ready to play where required.

"It's funny because at Leigh I called Ed Chamberlain the Swiss army knife, he's got every tool and it's pretty much me now! If we had a fully fit 13 I think centre would be the go. I spoke to John in the off-season and he asked me if we needed cover would I be OK to play fullback, which is no problem to me. I can play wing and back-row, I can play it, it's just a case of mindset and wanting to win. When I'm needed, where I'm needed, I'll do my bit. We've got about 40 players to choose from here so we've got good competition."

Click here - Get the latest news on our Rugby League Live WhatsApp channel