[R.B.A]

Re: Did someone hear a rumour? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:47 am  

knocker norton wrote:

Cover for 1 as well in Sammuts case not to be underestimated with Tanseys behaviour last season...

Its a sad state of affairs though if you have to compromise on your choice of half back so that you have cover in case your full-back goes off the rails again.

Re: Did someone hear a rumour? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:49 am  

R.B.A wrote:

I dont believe for one minute that Hetherington scoured the market for a half back, couldnt find one so said bugger it lets sign a backrower instead. That would indicate a lack of strategy, which for all her faults she cannot be accused of.

No it wouldnt. The strategy would clearly be demonstrated, the implementation of the strategy would be lacking but through no fault of the club. If the players just aren't out there there's nothing we can do about that. You seem intent from your arguement to aportion blame to our board/coach for not recruiting a half back. I'm disappointed that we haven't but logical thinking would lead me to a place whereby i have to beleive we tried. Logically we wouldnt to go without but then logically we wouldn't want to be held to ransom or sign the wrong player.

Re: Did someone hear a rumour? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:50 am  

Standee wrote:

It's possible, but likewise, would FC not want a boost in pass sales from signing a player?

In fact, maybe the Berrigan announcement wasn't so much short notice from him, as deliberate as it would have affected pass sales?

FC can and do rely on the blind loyalty of the 18th man.

Re: Did someone hear a rumour? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:51 am  

R.B.A wrote:

Its a sad state of affairs though if you have to compromise on your choice of half back so that you have cover in case your full-back goes off the rails again.

What's to say it's a compromise? Isn't it just an added bonus if our choice of halfback can play 1 if we need it?

Re: Did someone hear a rumour? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:52 am  

R.B.A wrote:

Its a sad state of affairs though if you have to compromise on your choice of half back so that you have cover in case your full-back goes off the rails again.

I wouldnt say it is a compromise because the attributes Sammut have I feel are what Hull need in the halves. If anything it is a bonus to have a talented player who can offer cover if needed in other positions.

Re: Did someone hear a rumour? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:54 am  

knocker norton wrote:

I wouldnt say it is a compromise because the attributes Sammut have I feel are what Hull need in the halves. If anything it is a bonus to have a talented player who can offer cover if needed in other positions.

completely agree.

[Chris71]

Re: Did someone hear a rumour? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:55 am  

Big Dave T wrote:

R.B.A wrote:

I dont believe for one minute that Hetherington scoured the market for a half back, couldnt find one so said bugger it lets sign a backrower instead. That would indicate a lack of strategy, which for all her faults she cannot be accused of.

No it wouldnt. The strategy would clearly be demonstrated, the implementation of the strategy would be lacking but through no fault of the club. If the players just aren't out there there's nothing we can do about that. You seem intent from your arguement to aportion blame to our board/coach for not recruiting a half back. I'm disappointed that we haven't but logical thinking would lead me to a place whereby i have to beleive we tried. Logically we wouldnt to go without but then logically we wouldn't want to be held to ransom or sign the wrong player.

I tend think after reading all the quotes and media bits that the signing of Westerman was something they had already planned for regardless of any signing or non signing of a halfback, so dont think his signing was a fall back signing.

Re: Did someone hear a rumour? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:58 am  

Chris71 wrote:

I tend think after reading all the quotes and media bits that the signing of Westerman was something they had already planned for regardless of any signing or non signing of a halfback, so dont think his signing was a fall back signing.

Have to agree, no way did we decide to shell out a fee on a fallback signing, I think we have looked and we just can't do the deal that all sides are happy with. I am quite happy with that, I wouldn't want to put the club at risk with a gung ho attitude to recruitment and finance like our friends over the river.

Re: Did someone hear a rumour? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:16 pm  

We've suffered badly from the results of poor recruitment in the past. The club appears to me to have learnt from those mistakes and are only interested in players that add quality to the squad in specific areas. If they can cover more than one position that's great but utility value is no longer compromising quality. Added to that would appear to be the importance of players having the right attitude (I agree Tansey is on the very edge of this envelope) and what seems to be a preferred longer term strategy of securing younger British players where possible, paying for the privilege where necessary. If we get the half back cover we crave before the season starts then great otherwise it'll be another struggle in that area this season. However we shouldn't compromise on quality and it should be at the right price. Chase or Sammut would be great otherwise see what Nicklas has got and make the big signing when the quality/price and availability is right.

Re: Did someone hear a rumour? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:34 pm  

Mild Rover wrote:

Reckon you might get someone from the fringes of an NRL team yet.

surely this is a better option then paying a big fee for either Sammut or Chase unless there willing to sign long deals.

every season someone falls out of favour in the NRL then come over here and do well. off the top of my head Lauatiti, Head, Bird, Sammut and Dobson have done it in recent years. so unless we can get a good deal on the two mentioned i'd be tempted to take the risk and wait and see who becomes available.