I'll also add, what normal company, sports or otherwise would let 12+ contractors and the contracts manager/project leader all come to the end of their contract at the same time when the project isn't finished yet.

Yes. my last paragraph is pure fantasy. But my other points are valid.
Fitzpatrick needs to go. And cullen I feel he will make a good CEO.
We haven't had a decent ceo since Andy gatliffe. Its fair to say that the decline started had been creeping in and getting worse since gatliffe left.

Based on the none delivery of a GF victory coupled with turgid performances on the pitch I'd agree that there has been some failure in employing the right none playing staff. As another poster remarked I'd like to know more about the set up behind the scenes what the CEO does and what each coach has responsibility for before casting judgement.

Regarding Abramovich I know I brought it up but I'm not sure it's a fair comparison. For a start he's an autocrat something I wouldn't want at our club. I like the fact that our board are fans I think it's a positive and of course he's fishing in a different pond a none salary capped sport with seemingly unlimited resources of coaches and players willing to take the plunge in the world's premier sports competition based in west London.

As far as listening to fans goes I think that they do but you've only got to look on here for an idea of what that could mean. I enjoy everyone's contributions even the ones I don't agree with but I wouldn't necessarily want to run the club by our committee week on week.

Correct about Gatcliffe. Not just the on the coaching/recruitment side but the whole business.

Bear in mind when he left we were sponsored by Fly Emirates, had just completed a successful marketing/media blitz by flying to Aus in pre-season which put us in good standing to get into the World Club competition and had a healthy crowd and season ticket base. Would routinely get event matches (cup semi finals, internationals). We were establishing ourselves as a premier club.

Now, realistically, we’re an ‘also ran’ team. I think realistically, the overriding emotion if we won the Grand Final would be shock, whereas in 2011 to 2013,14,15, 16 it was almost an expectation. What we were building under Gatcliffe and Smith has been washed away.

People will call me a hopeless romantic, but I would try and get the band back together. Bring Gatcliffe in, even in a non-executive role, to give the whole club some direction. Then try to lure Tony Smith in as a Director of Rugby. From there put all of our eggs in a young, promising head coach who has some affiliation and loyalty to the club (which realistically helps to get fans inside early doors in what would be a transitional period). I’d go Briers.

The marketing manager (sorry CEO) is the problem, he appears to be convincing the money men that high profile signings are the way forward at the expense of team balance.

The root of the troubles are in the board room, they should have a grip on KF.

Price isn't and never was the answer to our quest he was a make do appointment just like Latu was last season.

The club is once again a rudderless ship and until Moran and Middleton get a grip it will continue, Fitzpatrick was a totally inept appointment.

Just re the fly emirates sponsorship, yes it was prestigious but whilst the interim(uncle rog) let things slide, they were pulling back on sponsorship.

The flip side, we now have hoover, which financially is a bigger package than the fly emirates deal.

Dont forget gatcliffe's last sponsoship deal as he walked out the door and got the club a load of bad press.

EDIT he also made a packet for the club shop with the o'neills deal in the first year, the away shirt and the training rage and the leisure wear.

I honestly don't care about any of the sideshow stuff, social media etc. The best way to grow the brand is a successful team or a playing identity that people enjoy so they want to watch the team even if it's not their own and we don't have either of those things. A Facebook or twitter gimmick will not provide any long terms gains, it may tune a few in for a game but they will soon turn off with what they see on the pitch.

If KFP is serious about growing the brand then he needs a successful and entertaining team, none of the other stuff means a thing without that. His priorities seem to be about headline grabbing and its why it's not working IMO. Bring us Powell and Trueman, make a change at the top if we lose 2 of the next 3, remove the apathy about poor performances and maybe, just maybe they will become a thing of the past.

Anyone watching Melbourne this morning?

Who knew having a small, rapid, supporting fullback improves a team?

We'd have to break the line first though to enable Ashton to support. He'd be in for a long wait.

Ashton has not even made the squad, he’s either injured or Price ain’t a clue what he is doing !!

Perfect conditions, dry pitch yeah he's probably dropped him

5 props though, gung ho all out attack.

Granny has been down there all with the first team to make sure I don’t have to eat my words. She done good.

Cas looking good against Leeds so far. If Powell really does come I hope we can stump up some cash for Trueman.