Hull FC - My Thoughts : Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:23 am
However bad we play, whether I like or loath our head coach, even if we had a team of 2nd rate players I will always love the Hull FC brand.But, if I want to slag off any of the above then it is my right to do so, I'm no less a fan than anyone else, I still pay to watch them play and still spend my hard earned money to buy the merchandise.
Thoughts on Merchandise - It could be a lot better, we are famous for being black and white so I want to see more BnW stuff for sale, not Gold and Blue etc.. Get this right and they won't need to have as many sales.
Thoughts on AP - Great passion and wants the best for Hull FC and Rugby League in general but unfortunately he has been poorly advised in matters on the pitch. If it wasn't for what he is doing behind the scenes then I fear more fans would be wanting him out.
I must admit I'm getting a little bit fed up of hearing "We'll be better next year" that he has said for the last 3/4 years now. Facts are, behind the scenes we have come on in leaps and bounds under AP but on the pitch we haven't been as lucky, I do believe things will be better now we are getting rid of the average players on big contracts that McRae and Gentle brought in.
Thoughts on Radford - Before a game was played this year I was happy with LR being coach, I thought he would toughen players up and bring in some much needed aggression that we lacked, especially in the Derby matches.
Some of his team picks have been questionable this year as has some of his tactics. We have played well in parts and poor in others, again I'm happy to put some of this blame on the previous coach and DOR, Lee has had his hands tied.
He had made some strange signings that have not worked out, (Carvell and Colbon for example) but others that have worked well (Talanoa and Feka).
Next year he will have his own team and will be judged accordingly, if he fails come the midway point of the season then he must go and a proven first team coach must be brought in.
Thoughts on the season - I do believe that "On Paper" we are not a team that should be down in 11th place, but reasons I've touched on along with what appeared to be "confidence issues" has seen us lose some close games that if certain things had of gone our way we would be a lot further up the table and in the play offs. Apart from Ellis we have lacked a real leader, but Gaz leads by example and admitted himself that he is not a vocal captain, we need a few more leaders and more confidence on the field. We are lacking a little general in the halfs to boss us around and also missing the aggression factor. (That's why I for one would love to see Hock play for us)
Thoughts for next season - I say it every year but I'm quite optimistic about 2015 and if we can manage to get players off the cap that are not in Radfords plans (Arundle and Miller) and bring in one more back and one more aggressive no-nonsense forward along with Pryce, Sneyd, Mini and Michaels we will have a good squad of players and it's Radford/Last/Horne/Tusons jobs to get the best out of them.
Next seasons players -
Shaul - Young player of the year, has the potential to be a very special player, although he hasn't let anyone down this year he hasn't been as exciting as we saw glimpses of in '13.
Lineham - Hope he can have a good off season and have a injury free year.
Michaels - I don't know much about him to be fair.
Sa - Is he going to be a starting centre or will he be played in the 2nd Row, I'd prefer to see him in at centre.
Talanoa - I'm hoping to see great things from him with a good pre-season may not get much quicker but he does't let anyone down.
Pryce/Rankin - I do think Pryce will get the starting 6 shirt but Rankin has shown that he can be brilliant with ball in hand, if he can work on things with Pryce I'll be happy that we have a good player in JR who I would like to see stay at Hull for a good few more years.
Sneyd - Great kicker in play and for goal. Maybe safe to say he's had a great season up till recently where he seems to of had a few poorer games. Hope he is the answer to our long standing issues with the no 7 shirt.
Props - Feka, Watts, Greene and Paea, I'm happy with these props but as I just wish we had a big scary aggressive enforcer that I feel we are missing but I do keep banging on about this.
Ellis - As mentioned, great leader on the field, never takes a backward step. I'd take the captaincy off him and give it Westy.
Mini - Same as Michaels, I'll judge him when I see him in a FC shirt
Westerman - Best season I've ever seen from Joe, never really rated him in the past but this year he has really come on a lot.
Hookers - Houghton, Mr consistency, you know what your getting from Danny, Tackling machine. I'm not sure on Cunningham as interchange Hooker tho, no disrespect to the lad, just not seen a great deal of him.
Cheers folks, see ya next year
