: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:39 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

2 points in the next game is always the front of mind target that hopefully by the end of the season will mean you hit your long term target. I agree that in the 3-5 year plan Craig Hall will figure, but if you put that long term cap on again why is it essential he fits into Hulls team now? You talk long term re our plan but then very short termist in regards to Hall!

It's not essential he's a regular, but if he isn't going to get a run out against the likely wooden-spooners, when is he? I'm talking mid- to long-term about Hall as well. He's not entirely ready yet, but is at the stage where he will learn no more without playing in the first team.

Big Dave T wrote:

As you, Hall could be the difference between winning and losing. He may have the effect on us that we lose as well as win.

I have serious doubts about that. Just how bad do you think his defence is to single-handedly cost us a game we should be looking to win relatively comfortably?

Big Dave T wrote:

I firmly believe Hall has a future, i also believe he is under enormous pressure from people saying he is the answer and needs to play. Im hoping Agar is going to hold him back for a limited number of games to allow him to break into the team without the pressure.

Hall probably does have a future in the game, but if he is left out for most of the season even against the weaker sides I doubt it will be at Hull. He needs to play IMO, but not because he's the answer, rather that he needs the experience to learn. Another season in the 21's will achieve nothing for either him or the club.

You say yourself he should be brought in with less pressure, surely next week should be one such game?

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:50 pm  

carl_spackler wrote:

You say yourself he should be brought in with less pressure, surely next week should be one such game?

Why will there be less pressure next week? Celtic are a good team and will do us if we arent up for it.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:58 pm  

carl_spackler wrote:

It's not essential he's a regular, but if he isn't going to get a run out against the likely wooden-spooners, when is he? I'm talking mid- to long-term about Hall as well. He's not entirely ready yet, but is at the stage where he will learn no more without playing in the first team.

I have serious doubts about that. Just how bad do you think his defence is to single-handedly cost us a game we should be looking to win relatively comfortably?

Hall probably does have a future in the game, but if he is left out for most of the season even against the weaker sides I doubt it will be at Hull. He needs to play IMO, but not because he's the answer, rather that he needs the experience to learn. Another season in the 21's will achieve nothing for either him or the club.

You say yourself he should be brought in with less pressure, surely next week should be one such game?

Agree 100%, all the pressure was put on him last season with PS giving him the # 4 shirt and declaring him to be a class act and he is the future, his defensive frailty increased that pressure from the fans perspective.

Who knows how his defence has developed during the close season, 'the proof of the pudding' so to speak can only be tested in games against the teams that we are expected to perform well against. The theory of leaving him out on last seasons performances is a totally blinkered one, give him a fair go, the lack of column inches and the understating from the club could possibly help him, I for one believe hi defence will have improved with the new coaching we have now as seen on Friday night.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:58 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

Why will there be less pressure next week? Celtic are a good team and will do us if we arent up for it.

Absolutely. The minute we start classing teams as 'lesser' then watch us fall flat on our faces!

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:01 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

Why will there be less pressure next week? Celtic are a good team and will do us if we arent up for it.

Firstly, because we have almost a full squad to choose from unlike last year. That includes a first choice halfback pairing. As a result we should be far less dependent on his creativity, which IMO attributed to a lot of his errors last year.

Secondly, it's a team who have managed only 4 tries in their opening 2 games, 3 of those against Salford. Our defence should be enough to cope with them with him playing his part. Their 3/4 quality is less than most SL sides IMO, and with a full pre-season with most players fit his understanding of his team-mates should also be better.

As long as all people want from him for now is for him to come in and look good enough rather than rip teams apart on his own, there should be less pressure.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:02 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

Why will there be less pressure next week? Celtic are a good team and will do us if we arent up for it.

So when in your opinion wil he be expected to get a game then?

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:05 pm  

me 'n' our kid wrote:

So when in your opinion wil he be expected to get a game then?

When G Horne slips up to allow him in.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:07 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

When G Horne slips up to allow him in.

This is where I disagree, personally.

That would mean that all Horne has to do is remain average all year and he's guaranteed a place. Sends out the wrong message IMO - 'so long as you don't stink, that's ok'.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:12 pm  

carl_spackler wrote:

This is where I disagree, personally.

That would mean that all Horne has to do is remain average all year and he's guaranteed a place. Sends out the wrong message IMO - 'so long as you don't stink, that's ok'.

Surely the answer to this is when Agar thinks a particular game plan will suit Hall more then Horne?

[Kosh]

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:16 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

When G Horne slips up to allow him in.

Congratulations - you have found the Middle Way in RL coaching. Prepare to spend the foreseeable future making up the numbers in the middle of the table.