[Chris71]

Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR : Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:01 am  

What really stood out last night is that after struggling for so many years in the halves then finally getting Sneyd & Kelly and then Trueman & Clifford, going back to the square pegs in round holes just doesn't & won't work. We had two hookers and then a hooker and a FB and it showed, as we saw with Clifford last season there is simply no substitute for an out & out 7 especially when we have no other form of leadership or direction out there. I know we had some adversity with players missing but the reality is we had 3 FB's and 3 Hookers on the field all at the same time.

Even knowing from the off that there was a high probability that Clifford could well go back to the NRL after one season it would appear despite what has been said the club/Coach simply hasn't made any real priority or contingency to deal with such a loss adequately.

Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR : Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:06 am  

The kicking game last night as well was appalling. Rovers didn't really march us downfield, but they were starting sets on their 20/30, and then being helped with massive indiscipline. I thought Smith was starting in the halves to provide a kicking game, turn Rovers around, but it didn't happen. Instead, we had him kicking out of acting half which no player expected hence a shocking chase, we had Ashworth kicking (although that was a very late hand in the air by Liam Moore), and kicking out on the full.

We all bemoaned Clifford at times, but his kick offs and bombs were used as an attacking option, last night was back to standard kick offs and woeful last tackle options

Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR : Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:31 am  

That was pathetic from start to finish last night and has been for the majority of Smith's time in charge. What on earth have they been doing pre-season?!!

It's folly to read too much into the first match but you expect some improvements from the previous season and signs of a game structure. We had neither last night.

We were lucky Rovers weren't up to speed otherwise it would have been even messier.

If I'm Pearson I tell Tony he has got 5 games to sort it.

Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR : Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:34 am  

aldojh wrote:

That was pathetic from start to finish last night and has been for the majority of Smith's time in charge. What on earth have they been doing pre-season?!!

It's folly to read too much into the first match but you expect some improvements from the previous season and signs of a game structure. We had neither last night.

We were lucky Rovers weren't up to speed otherwise it would have been even messier.

If I'm Pearson I tell Tony he has got 5 games to sort it.

And you know where the 5th game is...Craven Park!

Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR : Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:36 am  

Pele banned until the Good Friday derby do we think?

Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR : Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:41 am  

Sao should get sending off sufficient as that was a joke. Parcell should get plenty as that was a neck-breaker/gouging!!

Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR : Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:09 am  

Think we’ll see big bans given it’s the start of new season and they’re trying to stamp out any and all head contact. Will be interesting how much we see from the fight after the Pele hit as there were several punches thrown on both sides it seems.

Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR : Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:14 am  

Probably a knee jerk reaction, but I'm wondering if the only coach that can truly sort us out is Shaun Wane. Hodgson & Smith seem to have had their ideas on cultures that they wanted to bring in to the club, but I feel we're in too much of a mess / the players don't have the intelligence/willing to buy into them. Someone like Wane with an absolute no nonsense approach who the players would run through brick walls for is what we need. (Obviously aware this won't happen due to cost and do hope Smith does get things right eventually)

Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR : Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:16 am  

Wane won't leave England/Wigan, he can't lose there. FC too much of a challenge.

Re: So it all starts. Next Up HULL KR : Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:23 am  

aldojh wrote:

That was pathetic from start to finish last night and has been for the majority of Smith's time in charge. What on earth have they been doing pre-season?!!

It's folly to read too much into the first match but you expect some improvements from the previous season and signs of a game structure. We had neither last night.

We were lucky Rovers weren't up to speed otherwise it would have been even messier.

If I'm Pearson I tell Tony he has got 5 games to sort it.

I agree with all of this apart from replacing Smith. He's a proven first team coach who has improved every team he's been in charge of. We've been crying out for someone like him for years.

It's his team now and he needs to be given time to sort out the mess we've had to endure for years. Even in the unlikely event he is sacked I cannot think of anyone else to replace him so early in the season.

The biggest problem for me is the quality of the squad. Without doubt it's the weakest we have for years. Just about all of the new signings are cast offs. Yes, you can say Smith is partly responsible for recruitment but his hands are tied behind his back due to financial constraints.

All I'm asking for is a steady improvement but if Smith cannot achieve that then yes he has to go but only at the end of the season. God knows who will replace him.