Quote: tommyfromhull "This is the big question - what now? Indeed…
It’s frustratingly and extremely disappointingly true that we have gone backwards. We have undoubtedly signed (Sao, Satae, Swift, Reynolds, Mau, Jones, Fonua) and retained (Connor, Carlos, Griffin) quality players in the past few seasons, but for whatever reasons we still haven’t kicked on.
It is sadly true some of our key stalwarts are now showing real signs of being passed their best. It’s not their fault - all players drop in performance as they age - but it’s certainly not good enough for a club of our size and expectations. Big decisions have to be made for the Houghtons, Sneyds, Taylors etc if the club, who have lead the way to Wembley glory and are now leading us in the opposite direction.
I find it very hard to blame Hodgson, despite not always agreeing with his squad selection or sub rotations. But, it’s hard to spare him of at least some flack. He surely should have a big part to play in motivating his team and instilling confidence to execute effort and plays worked on in training. However, I’m happy to give him time - I just hope the club and fans have the same patience.
I feel anxious mostly about what it could mean more broadly for the club. If Pearson goes we really would be in poop street. He’s ploughed money into us since taking over and hasn’t seen any return in 4+ years. He surely can’t keep up losing money to a team getting worse, and who’s fans won’t turn up. It could mean real, real bad news. I hope I’m wrong and he’s committed to keep with us.
What now? Hopefully end the season with some sort of effort and roll on the pre season with a couple of half decent players going into next year.
Next year…'"
Its always next year Tommy
You make some good points but the key for next season will be whether we can offload some of the non performing players still under contract and that the club realise that several of our senior players are not good enough.
Its the only way the club can go forward.
Simply adding a wing and a new front row will not hide our inadequacies at half back or at nine.
We have seen the best of Taylor and i dont think he will ever get back to his form of two years ago but until we get some new blood with pace at half back and at nine this inability to convert possession in the opposition 20 into points will continue
to go into next season without these changes would be suicide in terms of season pass sales