Quote: Uppo58 "I'm not an advocate of sacking Radford. I agree that for 2 seasons our performances have not been acceptable, with some massive defeats and a record equalling run of defeats. It doesn't read well.
However, Pearson has listened to Radfords plan, offloaded heavily and replaced with what looks like some great new recruits.
So having been given the baton, Radford has to be given the chance to run with it. The first game showed that this team can play, and yet despite a narrow win against a good Rovers, the few injuries that we've suffered seem to really rock us, which questions our strength in depth I suppose, particularly when key men are out.
The performance against Catalans is the worrying one for me, in that we had the game won with 20mins to go. So Radfords game plan can work and we were good for 60 mins and looked like we'd go on to score more points. The massive issue for me is more about the mental strength of the squad as a whole. Its an absolutely critical factor. Thinking a game is won before it actually is has become a habit at Hull FC. Whereas champion teams in that position squeeze the foot on the throat even harder.
But because teams know we are weak mentally, teams feel they are never beaten with Hull FC. They always feel they can come back at us. We give them that belief because ours is so weak, time after time. Its real and present. Its becoming our trademark.
So, because it is clearly a collective problem the responsibility ultimately is Radfords to eradicate this softness that is part of our team make-up. If he can instil a mental strength, where the team think and behave as one, often lead by a captains inspiration and his ability to demand bodies are on the line, then we can really do something. Because I do believe we have the talent to still have a great season.
But there has to be a huge mindset change, there has to be a change of captain, there has to be a feeling of oneness on the pitch and a willingness to defend every gain line with total controlled ferocity.
If we can do that, because Radfords is able to instil that missing, never-say-die killer instinct into his team then we can quickly recreate our early optimism. But if he can't I would give him 10 matches, and if he cant rectify our quite pathetic mental strength that incredibly just cannot last for 80 mins. he'll be gone.'"
It's a good post but I disagree with two of your conclusions.
1. Your argument about Radford assembling the squad meaning he has to be given more time. That argument works with signings of the type that Powell and Watson often make, misfits and rough diamonds that they polish up into something much better, a new coach might come in and see nothing in them at all. FC though have got a great squad that any good coach should be able to work with.
2. The expectation that Radford might somehow bring about a huge change in mindset and mental strength. The bloke has been there seven years and hasn't managed it yet. I don't see how there can be any reasonable expectation that he's going to do it now. In fact he's far more likely to be a cause of the mental fragility than a cure for it.
