Do London's problems start with David Hughes? : Sat May 25, 2013 7:20 pm  

O'Callaghan is not up to Super League standard, and not up to Championship standard either. He is at about the level of University of Gloucester.

Howell would never get a contract in the NRL again.

Sarginson lacks the basic rugby instincts necessary to play centre.

Dixon cannot tackle anyone, but could be carried for his attacking skill if the rest of the backline was more capable in defence and could cover for him. But they are incapable of doing so.

Yet all Tony Rea can say is "we need more self-belief." He is a prisoner of his New Age "philosophy" and lacks the ability to recognise the reality of rugby league talent or lack thereof in certain players. Moreover, he cannot inspire the team at half time, as we have seen in every second half collapse.

David Hughes was involved in hiring Tony Rea as coach back in late 2000.

Ian Lenagan fired Tony Rea as coach in July 2006.

David Hughes rehired Tony Rea as coach in 2012.

As we have seen with the tenures of Rob Powelll and Gus Mackay, David Hughes is not quick to act in response to a person's poor job performance.

Therein lies one major problem for London Broncos.

Of course London Bronocos would not exist without the financial generosity of David Hughes. But that should not stop us from pointing out his failings as the leader of the club.

Re: Do London's problems start with David Hughes? : Sat May 25, 2013 7:50 pm  

Yes since at the moment he is the person who ultimately has responsibility for hiring and paying for staff.

Re: Do London's problems start with David Hughes? : Sat May 25, 2013 9:25 pm  

It's evident that he has made bad decisions in appointments, but without him we wouldn't have a club.

Re: Do London's problems start with David Hughes? : Sat May 25, 2013 10:04 pm  

tim wrote:

It's evident that he has made bad decisions in appointments, but without him we wouldn't have a club.

I blame gus for most things, but then again,it's not Gus's fault that he was appointed to a role he is patently not up to....that lies with the owner.

Most people agree that the London club is deserving of "assistance" from the RFL in regards to marketing and a weighted cap, but Mr Hughes has single handedly destroyed the club in his blind desire to play chicken with the RFL...it's almost like he wants us to have no fans so he can be seen to "get one over" on them...it's insanity in my opinion.

He is the reason we have a club and he is a saint....JUST NOT A VERY CLEVER ONE.

Re: Do London's problems start with David Hughes? : Sat May 25, 2013 11:20 pm  

The simple fact is that if it wasn't for David Hughes we would have died when Virgin pulled out. Has he got everything right since then, clearly not. He has however all but single handedly funded superleague RL in London since Virgin tried to move us up north. Dan probably only had a pathway into pro RL thanks to David.

Having said all that I fully expect us to fold at the end of next season and David, whilst propping us up for years, hasn't always helped us by his 'I'll just pay the bill' approach, clearly fundamental weaknesses needed to be resolved instead.

Looks like I'll be watching Oxford every game in a couple of years. The money David has sunk in to junior development helped enable that. Some of his business decisions seem to have made it highly likely.

Re: Do London's problems start with David Hughes? : Sun May 26, 2013 2:45 am  

It's all DH's fault!

David Howell, that is.

Re: Do London's problems start with David Hughes? : Sun May 26, 2013 9:14 am  

Seem to remember that I was the first person on here to suggest that DH might be the problem some time back. Only wish that I could do a mea culpa and say that I was wrong, but unfortunately I can't

Re: Do London's problems start with David Hughes? : Sun May 26, 2013 9:46 am  

Seems to me that without DH we wouldn't have had a club but with DH we soon won't have a club.

Re: Do London's problems start with David Hughes? : Sun May 26, 2013 10:09 am  

There must be a problem with most owners of sports clubs, but without David Hughes there would be NO Super League Club in London! at present.

Re: Do London's problems start with David Hughes? : Sun May 26, 2013 11:37 pm  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

Yet all Tony Rea can say is "we need more self-belief." He is a prisoner of his New Age "philosophy" and lacks the ability to recognise the reality of rugby league talent or lack thereof in certain players.

I don't think many coaches have come out and said "Our players just aren't good enough". Rea has to work with the players that he has been given. Right now, it's difficult to attract decent Aussies to the UK and northerners are wary about moving to Broncos. That means working with lads that probably should have spent a couple more years in age group rugby.