Dear Mr Agar ...

Quote: Staffs FC "A second successive season ends with us nowhere near the playoffs. For a club of Hull FC's stature and standing, with its huge, passionate and loyal fan base that most other clubs undoubtedly look at with envy, that is a disastrous calamity. Make no mistake about it the fayre served up by the team, particularly but certainly not exclusively at home, for the last two years has been nothing short of dire. Week after week the same story has unfolded. Patches of decent play interspersed with amateurish, shambolic rubbish. At times as the captain recently pointed out we have been downright cr@p. A good 10 minute spell here and there and plenty of huff and puff isn't enough in Super League. The last two years is testament to that.

So why has it been so bad ? There have been many mitigating circumstances working against the club. From administrative failures to broken bones, off field scuffles to immigration debacles. There's no doubt about it if the club was depicted by a boxer in a boxing match the referee would have jumped in and stopped the fight last May. Injuries have had a massive negative effect for sure. That would likely extend to affecting training in a big way and reducing the scope for working on structure and organisation. HOWEVER ......

What concerns many supporters, this one included, is that many fundamentals about our play remain of such a low standard. Week upon week, month upon month we have seen fast defensive line speed that is fast for the first 10 minutes then slow for the remaining 70. We have seen the opposition attack our line and gradually wear us down and push us back by ‘winning the floor’ using superior technique. With ball in hand we have had a smattering of individual brilliance to enjoy. The likes of Manu, Hall and Briscoe showing the kind of talent that frankly should be the standard not the exception. Unfortunately we have consistently looked anything but ‘a team’. Without direction and organisation it is going to be a struggle to score tries and the 86 or so we have managed in 28 games is nothing other than embarrassing. Why can our players not pass the ball with speed and accuracy ? Why are there far too many occasions where the wrong player gets the ball from acting half, or it is blatantly clear to the thousands looking on that not one player in the team knows what the current play is supposed to be or what their role in it might be ? Why is it that when a full or half line break is made the chances are there will be no supporting player within cooey of the action ?

These are fundamentals. Basics. Things that should be worked on, practised, worked on again and honed in training. Not just in the senior squad but all squads at the club. Are we working hard enough ? Not it seems on the evidence of the last two seasons.

So to 2010. There are many supporters who think the club should already have replaced you. They have an entirely valid point of view. I would say that in my opinion you are lucky to have been backed by the Board and luckier still that as a result of the fantastic support the club you coach attracts you have been able to make such improvements to next year’s roster. Sure we will be better next year. If we have 50% of the injuries we had this year the improved player quality will be enough to make the 8 I am sure. But that isn’t enough. This is Hull FC not, with all due respect Salford or Celtic. This is a big club with a still recent history of major finals and going back further a proud record. So we can’t just rely on hiring better players and hoping for the best. We need effective, recognisable attacking and defensive structures. We need players who can demonstrate the skills required in attack and defence to a high level; that is passing, catching, supporting, working off the ball, tackling and floor work. We need players with the ability to concentrate for all of their time on the field. All of these things are slap bang in the middle of your court Mr Agar. I would suggest that you make the most of your somewhat fortunate position as current head coach and start today looking at how you might improve these fundamentals.

There have been a number of illustrious former players and coaches who at one time or another have spoken up for your abilities in the last few months. Arthur Bunting Johnny Whiteley and DDD have forgotten far more than I’ll ever know about coaching a top RL team, and they have all said at one time or another that they have watched you coach and believe you to be well worthy of the position. That is good testimony to have. I like many other fans just have what I see on the pitch to go by, together with the list of results that my team has returned this season and last. Things have to be right from day one of next season. A poor start will not be masked by needing ‘time to gel’ or ‘letting things bed in’. Your second full season needs to start with a bang and get better thereafter. No more time for failure Mr Agar. Good luck with it.

yours,

A Loyal Hull FC fan'"