Re: Gentle going. : Sun Sep 22, 2013 5:53 pm  

Hawk wrote:

It's interesting and not unsurprising that there are so many mixed opinions about this departure. Gentle was very good with the media, had a very 'laid back' style and was clearly a very knowledgable person in relation to the game and a good supporter of young talent.

Hull played some of their best rugby in years under Gentle and during the few games that this happened, there were occasional glimmers of what could potentially be. He made some positive changes at the club and was generally considered a 'nice guy.'

None of this makes him a leader of men, who would have the consistent respect of his coaching colleagues, staff and players. He had a health pedigree as an assistant in Australia, but that's all. If rumours are to be believed, there has been unrest among the ranks for some time. If left unaddressed, that is unsustainable. The inconsistency the team has shown this year is unacceptable, by anyone's standards.

On occasion, the performances against the better teams have been admirable, but the performances against the lower half of the league and also the two worst games at Wembley and then at Huddersfield would demand intervention by ANY club. That's just a fact, with little to argue against.

There is a strong argument to suggest that some of the players need holding to account. The coach doesn't take to the field, etc. This is true. The coach is responsible for the discipline, consistency and ultimately the results, none of which have been regularly apparent this year.

In my opinion, if the club is going to move forward it needs a local focus, built upon passion and pride in the shirt and the club. Just look at the player of the year awards. It was littered with examples of players who were Hull born or who had come though the academy structures.

Radford is untested as SL Coach yes, but he is no novice to coaching or the game. He is a local product, who had won more silverware than many in the game as a player and been among some great talent, including great coaches. He is respected by the fans, players and broader game. Andy Last is a workhorse, totally committed to Hull FC, with a strong track record of producing and supporting real talent. If rumours are true and Paul Cooke is coming in to support the half back school and maintain links with youth via the dual registration at Doncaster - what better? Richard Horne as Head of Youth would be the icing on the cake. It would instil pride, passion and be built upon the clear evidence based of the academy products developments. It's not a knee jerk reaction. It's a professional, well thought through, commercially astute response to rebuilding Hull FC.

I for one, on one level, am sad to see Gentle go, as professionally he was much better than we have had in a long time and on a personal level it must be tough for him and I appreciate that it would be hard for him and all involved to leave mid-way through am expected tenure. However, as a Hull FC fan and long term season pass holder, I believe honestly that these moves are in the best interest of the club and the long term success of Hull FC.

Come on You Hull!

Good post, I also quite the idea of having Radford, Last, Horne and Cooke as our coaching staff. Cooke coaching Miller could be a master stroke.

Only part I would disagree with the bit about playing our best rugby for years under PG. I don't recall that, our attack is abysmal.

Re: Gentle going. : Sun Sep 22, 2013 5:56 pm  

jacko1 wrote:

If after what I've heard he does get appointed as head coach I'm sorry but the club has lost my support.

Been told that after the challenge cup AP asked Radford to takeover until the end of the season as coach to give him chance to find a fulltime replacement for Gentle, Radford refused but asked to be considered as Gentle's replacement.

Now considering Radford's friendship with our senior players I actually question Radford in how the players have being playing since the challenge cup..

Why would Radford need the players to perform badly if he already knew Gentle was going? I don't understand this.

I can understand why he wouldn't want to take over for the last part of the season, maybe he didn't want to be a stop gap and maybe he felt he was on a hiding to nothing?

Re: Gentle going. : Sun Sep 22, 2013 6:08 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

Good post, I also quite the idea of having Radford, Last, Horne and Cooke as our coaching staff. Cooke coaching Miller could be a master stroke.

Only part I would disagree with the bit about playing our best rugby for years under PG. I don't recall that, our attack is abysmal.

Cheers. Re the 'best rugby' I did say glimpses and only a few games. Totally agree re the attack. The 'lighter pack' hasn't worked and losing Manu has been a real blow. Very much looking forward to next season now though.

Re: Gentle going. : Sun Sep 22, 2013 6:19 pm  

I agree about the 'Club Hull' in the future - but not at this moment in time.

Firstly,we need to hire a proven coach to implement structures, this will lay the foundations for decades to come.

But we never do, we seem to go into a vicious circle of employing an unproven Head Coach, unfortunately ending in failure.

Why dont we get a proven coach,is beyond me.

Re: Gentle going. : Sun Sep 22, 2013 6:59 pm  

Hawk wrote:

It's interesting and not unsurprising that there are so many mixed opinions about this departure. Gentle was very good with the media, had a very 'laid back' style and was clearly a very knowledgable person in relation to the game and a good supporter of young talent.

Hull played some of their best rugby in years under Gentle and during the few games that this happened, there were occasional glimmers of what could potentially be. He made some positive changes at the club and was generally considered a 'nice guy.'

None of this makes him a leader of men, who would have the consistent respect of his coaching colleagues, staff and players. He had a healthy pedigree as an assistant in Australia, but that's all. If rumours are to be believed, there has been unrest among the ranks for some time. If left unaddressed, that is unsustainable. The inconsistency the team has shown this year is unacceptable, by anyone's standards.

On occasion, the performances against the better teams have been admirable, but the performances against the lower half of the league and also the two worst games at Wembley and then at Huddersfield would demand intervention by ANY club. That's just a fact, with little to argue against.

There is a strong argument to suggest that some of the players need holding to account. The coach doesn't take to the field, etc. This is true. The coach is responsible for the discipline, consistency and ultimately the results, none of which have been regularly apparent this year.

In my opinion, if the club is going to move forward it needs a local focus, built upon passion and pride in the shirt and the club. Just look at the player of the year awards. It was littered with examples of players who were Hull born or who had come though the academy structures.

Radford is untested as SL Coach yes, but he is no novice to coaching or the game. He is a local product, who has won more silverware than many in the game as a player and been among some great talent, including great coaches. He is respected by the fans, players and broader game. Andy Last is a workhorse, totally committed to Hull FC, with a strong track record of producing and supporting real talent. If rumours are true and Paul Cooke is coming in to support the half back school and maintain links with youth via the dual registration at Doncaster - what better? Richard Horne as Head of Youth would be the icing on the cake. It would instil pride, passion and be built upon the clear evidence base of the academy products and related developments. It's not a knee jerk reaction. It's a professional, well thought through, commercially astute response to rebuilding Hull FC.

I for one, on one level, am sad to see Gentle go, as professionally he was much better than we have had in a long time and on a personal level it must be tough for him and I appreciate that it would be hard for him and all involved to leave mid-way through am expected tenure. However, as a Hull FC fan and long term season pass holder, I believe honestly that these moves are in the best interest of the club and the long term success of Hull FC.

Come on You Hull!

Evening Adam

Re: Gentle going. : Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:00 pm  

Hawk wrote:

It's interesting and not unsurprising that there are so many mixed opinions about this departure. Gentle was very good with the media, had a very 'laid back' style and was clearly a very knowledgable person in relation to the game and a good supporter of young talent.

Hull played some of their best rugby in years under Gentle and during the few games that this happened, there were occasional glimmers of what could potentially be. He made some positive changes at the club and was generally considered a 'nice guy.'

None of this makes him a leader of men, who would have the consistent respect of his coaching colleagues, staff and players. He had a healthy pedigree as an assistant in Australia, but that's all. If rumours are to be believed, there has been unrest among the ranks for some time. If left unaddressed, that is unsustainable. The inconsistency the team has shown this year is unacceptable, by anyone's standards.

On occasion, the performances against the better teams have been admirable, but the performances against the lower half of the league and also the two worst games at Wembley and then at Huddersfield would demand intervention by ANY club. That's just a fact, with little to argue against.

There is a strong argument to suggest that some of the players need holding to account. The coach doesn't take to the field, etc. This is true. The coach is responsible for the discipline, consistency and ultimately the results, none of which have been regularly apparent this year.

In my opinion, if the club is going to move forward it needs a local focus, built upon passion and pride in the shirt and the club. Just look at the player of the year awards. It was littered with examples of players who were Hull born or who had come though the academy structures.

Radford is untested as SL Coach yes, but he is no novice to coaching or the game. He is a local product, who has won more silverware than many in the game as a player and been among some great talent, including great coaches. He is respected by the fans, players and broader game. Andy Last is a workhorse, totally committed to Hull FC, with a strong track record of producing and supporting real talent. If rumours are true and Paul Cooke is coming in to support the half back school and maintain links with youth via the dual registration at Doncaster - what better? Richard Horne as Head of Youth would be the icing on the cake. It would instil pride, passion and be built upon the clear evidence base of the academy products and related developments. It's not a knee jerk reaction. It's a professional, well thought through, commercially astute response to rebuilding Hull FC.

I for one, on one level, am sad to see Gentle go, as professionally he was much better than we have had in a long time and on a personal level it must be tough for him and I appreciate that it would be hard for him and all involved to leave mid-way through am expected tenure. However, as a Hull FC fan and long term season pass holder, I believe honestly that these moves are in the best interest of the club and the long term success of Hull FC.

Come on You Hull!

Evening Adam

Re: Gentle going. : Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:10 pm  

Basher wrote:

Evening Adam

Re: Gentle going. : Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:13 pm  

Radford out drinking with Ogre, tickle, DJ and miller this afternoon in Nu Bar - if there was any truth in him taking over do you think he would be starting to build the barrier between mate and boss?

Re: Gentle going. : Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:20 pm  

Wilde 3 wrote:

Radford out drinking with Ogre, tickle, DJ and miller this afternoon in Nu Bar - if there was any truth in him taking over do you think he would be starting to build the barrier between mate and boss?

Not in Blackpool?

Re: Gentle going. : Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:23 pm  

Wilde 3 wrote:

Radford out drinking with Ogre, tickle, DJ and miller this afternoon in Nu Bar - if there was any truth in him taking over do you think he would be starting to build the barrier between mate and boss?

I just don't get this "us and them", "up the workers" approach, I'm afraid.