State of the Nation : Sat Sep 02, 2023 5:30 pm  

So another season shambles to a merciful end. As has been said on social media, without Clifford (and Swift) we'd be right in the relegation dogfight.

With gates miraculously holding up and a massive imbalance in both quality and quantity of players going out vs coming in we need some sort of communication from the club. If we're skint and will need to rely on the academy for a few years then it is what it is but let's be transparent please. We're miles off being a play-off side realistically so let's have the club hierarchy stating and facing the truth.

Re: State of the Nation : Sat Sep 02, 2023 5:31 pm  

A return to the fans forums would be a good start.

Re: State of the Nation : Sat Sep 02, 2023 5:36 pm  

Its all depressingly familiar, the season starts with some optimism, we pull off a few results and we start to think about 6th then the team gives up with a month or two go. The club badly needs a new script writer.

And crowds are holding up for now (nowhere near actually 11k in the ground tho, many passholders not there today) but there will come a point where a few drift away. Being honest id rather have gone somewhere else today and enjoyed the weather than sit through a pedestrian game.

Still have faith in Smith and appreciate it will take time, but the club needs to make a strong start to 2024 or questions will start to be asked.

Re: State of the Nation : Sat Sep 02, 2023 5:42 pm  

RockNRolla wrote:

A return to the fans forums would be a good start.

What do they acheive though?

A couple of awkward questions batted away by Clark/Pearson, then boring questions to an overseas player about whats the difference between playing in Aus and over here and then a chorus of Old Faithful.

Re: State of the Nation : Sat Sep 02, 2023 6:33 pm  

ComeOnYouUll wrote:

What do they acheive though?

A couple of awkward questions batted away by Clark/Pearson, then boring questions to an overseas player about whats the difference between playing in Aus and over here and then a chorus of Old Faithful.

Agree, and a lot of clubs use these sessions to discuss the stadium, like the fans will ask for different food options etc but we of course dont control the stadium.

I do think Pearson needs to give some updates though, even if it is just a 'give us some time' he's been quiet this season

Re: State of the Nation : Sat Sep 02, 2023 6:37 pm  

UllFC wrote:

Agree, and a lot of clubs use these sessions to discuss the stadium, like the fans will ask for different food options etc but we of course dont control the stadium.

I do think Pearson needs to give some updates though, even if it is just a 'give us some time' he's been quiet this season

i think his team has made him speechless

Re: State of the Nation : Sat Sep 02, 2023 6:42 pm  

ComeOnYouUll wrote:

What do they acheive though?

A couple of awkward questions batted away by Clark/Pearson, then boring questions to an overseas player about whats the difference between playing in Aus and over here and then a chorus of Old Faithful.

....and hosted by that doyen of sports broadcasting Gwilym Lloyd.

Re: State of the Nation : Sat Sep 02, 2023 10:38 pm  

No chairman of any club will ever really tell the fans the truth, they'll always spout positive messages and spin excitment because they need to sell as many passes as possible dont they???
How many fickle fans wouldnt renew if the chairman came out and said that the clubs skint and well have to do things on the cheap for the foreseable???

Re: State of the Nation : Sun Sep 03, 2023 5:50 am  

I was really hoping the end to the season would be different, but unfortunately injuries and leaving players not putting the effort in have seen us go down the same path.

Don't see us much better next season unless Smith pulls off some miracles domestically. We look to be running a smaller squad and only seem stronger at prop.

Re: State of the Nation : Sun Sep 03, 2023 6:03 am  

Think next year is all about cutting the wage bill by all means necessary, and hope income exceeds wages to try to cut the crippling debt.

Tony’s going nowhere and will have to manage the budget team the best he can.

Long term, the sky money is down, the covid loans need repaying, and the clock is ticking on the stadium lease deal.

Even if a new stadium deal is reached, it will align with the true loss of running the stadium, so will be a big increase at best, and without the mystery 1500 tickets bought by the SMC per match which artificially inflates your attendances. Maybe only 2 stands will be opened per match is a real possibility. There is no way Hull City will continue to generously subside your tenancy.

In turn, I can’t see any upturn in player quality for some significant time, unless Adam moves on and new investment is found, which won’t happen without a new stadium lease in place.

It’s a doom and gloom scenario, but prove me wrong !