Spot on. The thing we don't really know is to what extent our poor record in recent years of bringing academy players through is due to underinvestment, and/or not enough quality in the players themselves, and/or Agar's reluctance to give them any gametime unless absolutely forced by injuries. A combination of all three, certainly.

Quote tommyfromhull="tommyfromhull""We have new ideas, new faces and when you throw that into the melting pot [uhopefully we can come up with the recipe that will take us to the top of the table in the next few years."[/u Blimey, a few is after 3 and before a lot! Still, no pressure then. www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... story.html?'"

Quote tommyfromhull="tommyfromhull""We have new ideas, new faces and when you throw that into the melting pot [uhopefully we can come up with the recipe that will take us to the top of the table in the next few years."[/u Blimey, a few is after 3 and before a lot! Still, no pressure then. www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... story.html?'"

I agree mate, even when he has a quiet game there is something about his game and ability that stands out. I've absolutely no doubt he'll make the transition to SL. I did say that about Jack Briscoe, too, though. I think our youth system has failed him. He may get a shot under the new regime, but I think his development has stood still for the last 2 seasons.

The fact he kept getting moved from wing to full back killed his development.

Reece Lyne is heading the same way too by getting moved from wing to fullback and in some games even at centre, no continuity at all for him.

All clubs need to develop and giving youth which is ready and good enough an opportunity, no problem.

However our forum is littered with calls for the likes of Green, Nicklas, Crooks, J Briscoe etc to be chucked in. No so long ago it was Lyne, earlier than this I gave the examples of Lee and Washbrook. This increase in expectation is just heaping pressure on these kids before they have set foot inthe first team.

Lee was on a hiding to nothing by having to step in after the fallout from Judas jumping ship & Washy is a 13 but has rarely been played there.
Loose forward has been one of our more secure positions & so his chances have been rare there, otherwise I think he would have developed into a good 13.

You're absolving Last from any blame then?

I don't know much about him but if he's the cheap option that would be "underinvestment", wouldn't it? Seems to be well liked but so was Agar.

I don't know much about him either, apart from that he's local (which is mightily important, of course).

Much like Agar, Last is a symptom of "underinvestment" and not a victim of it. Only difference is that we've retained Last, which concerns me greatly as, despite the demotion, he's still in an incredibly important role.

If you don't know much about him (and by extension how good he is at his job), surely the fact that he is the only member of the coaching staff to be retained by those who presumably do should be a very reassuring sign?

Personally I find it difficult to believe that [ieveryone[/i involved in the club was/is not any good. It doesn't have to be everybody underperforming for the club to do so, which is what plenty on here seem to think. The broom has well and truly been swept, so I'm now willing to give the survivors the benefit of the doubt and a chance under the new regime.

Wasn't he in charge of the Reserves last year? Thought they finished about 3rd after Warrington and Wigan, but could well be wrong.

Demotion? Somebody better let Andy know it was a demotion because he hosted a family party a fortnight ago to celebrate his promotion!!!!!
Very highly regarded at the KC and rightly so.