CULTURE?

Quote: Bomber's tash "Culture has been a buzz word around the club since Tony Smith took over. Yet there is little to no evidence of a culture change on the pitch.

You could've picked the best 17 amateur players in the city to pull on a jersey on Good Friday and they would have shown 100% more passion than that shower or a performance in the first 40.

Back in August 2023 Tony Smith was implying we were making progress
rlhttps://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/tony-smith-opens-up-culture-8699668rl

Tony is now coming out with statements like 'we need to be angry'

What next?
'We need to learn how to score more than the opposition'
'We need to stop letting tries in'
'We need to be fitter'

Culture at Hull FC has been questioned for many many years, even back in 2002 Shaun McCrae famously stated there was a 'CANCER' within the club, alluding to poor culture.

In the last 20+ years we have had some great squads, good squads and some average squads.

We have had good coaches and not so good coaches.

We have flirted with success via the challenge cup but never won a grand final.
One thing that has been pretty consistent is a sense of underachievement in the majority of those seasons I would suggest.

Clubs like Salford & Castleford, Hull KR & even Huddersfield have had seasons where they overachieve based on pre-season perceptions. I cannot recall Hull FC overachieving aside from maybe one season in the league.

Maybe 'culture change' should be changed to 'lose the ego' ??

The club in the last 20 years has had many false dawns, expectations raised by big name signings or changes of coaches.

The club needs to lose its ego and the internal perception that it is a 'big' club. Realistically on average over the last 20 years we are probably a 7th/8th/9th placed team. But supported relentlessly like a top 3 team.

Unfortunately Hull KR have utilised Hull FC's 'ego' to their advantage, relished the underdog tag, harnessed the fighting spirit & created a real desire to work hard for each other on the pitch. Even when FC were expected to beat KR, you knew they wouldn't be going down without a hell of a fight.

I just don't get the impression Tony Smith is suddenly going to turn Hull FC into a dogged determined to win outfit. Everything feels a bit wishy washy. Even when TS came in the first pre-season was lets take it easy to protect the players and allow us to peak at the right time. In stark contrast to other teams who were busting a gut to be ready for the season.

I'm not sure the club has the appetite to make the decisions needed to really shake things up.

Realistically this season is heading for a 9th placed finish at the very best. Only London will stop us finishing last.

What is the answer? Who knows but this ''culture' thing just ain't working. We are only playing so many youngsters because of a lack of 1st team availability. Lets not be conned into thinking this is part of the preconceived plan. A fully fit spine and Jack Charles doesn't get a look in this season, TS is only using him out of desperation. Jack has certainly took his chance however.

Recruitment & retention has been appalling for the last 4/5 years.

But we are where we are or 'it is what it is' as Tony would say.

I just keep thinking why does our culture change seem to be taking so long.

In my opinion we need someone to come in and really instill the work ethic required to win games. With our current squad who would win more games this season Tony Smith or Shaun Wane / Brian McDermott. I'd suggest the latter two would have better results & certainly reduce the number of blow outs suffered.

We need a shape up or ship out mentality rather than allowing players to hide behind a 'work in progress culture''"

Whilst the post could of been attached to the Smith out thread, there’s is no doubting it’s credibility, well written, thought provoking, and in my humble opinion, pretty much unraveled the masquerading of culture change, whilst the biggest elephant in the room is swept under the boardroom carpet, quality investment in the first team, you get what you pay for.

If AP has a plan to ride this season out while he replenishes his resources, then just come out and say it, I’ll take it on the chin and be back for more, a bit of openness and honesty works wonders.