He also built the crow's nest at the Boulevard which he's never had enough credit for.

Personally I had what I thought were pretty low expectations. Murdoch, however, thinks we all expected a 4th placed finish (seriously - that's from his tweets) and only considers this season 'disappointing' when compared to that. Apparently languishing just above two basket-case clubs shouldn't be considered a poor perfromance if we had 'realistic' expectations.

murdoch is running around trying to be everyone's mate to further his fledgling sports management business

For me, overall Pearson has done a good job. He got rid of Rule who was often accused of being a club apologist under Auntie Kath's reign. I realise that the Gleeson thing probably had more to do with him leaving but the point is that Pearson got rid. He also got rid of Agar and I don't think many people at the time were disappointed with that decision. His investments into the facilities at the club have been brilliant and something that was long overdue.

I think his lack of rugby knowledge has cost him at times. The Mcrae appointment, in hindsight, was a mistake but it was an understandable appointment given that he needed a rugby man in place to help run things. My verdict is still out on Motu Tony.

I think his impatience has let him down too. The appointment of Gentle was generally well received at the time and he did well enough that first year to earn a contract extension only to find himself sacked a year later. I think that was a big mistake on Pearson's part. He was doing a better job than Radford and was doing so from day one.

I'd also say his ambition has let him down. He's hyped up the club and our chances a lot and ultimately we've failed to deliver. He's certainly been more quiet on that front this year but looking back on last year in particular and the whole Bel13ve campaign and I find it somewhat cringeworthy now.

Finally I'd say his naivety has cost him a bit too. Things like the promise of two world class half back signings two years ago was poor. But I have no doubt that he genuinely thought it would be easy to get them.

So in summary, for me he's done some good things and he's done some bad things. I'd rather have AP than still be lumbered with Auntie Kath.

+1

Good post

I expected 6th-4th which was clearly well out. Biggest disappointment for me this year overall has been the pack who I thought would be fairly dominant but have held their own at best. Feka, Westy and Ellis apart I've been disappointed with them in general. Early-mid season we did get in field position to score points but I probably didn't factor in a complete shortage of skill behind the forwards - you can't expect to play SL with an abject kicking game and no tactical leader on the field.

I was slightly more optimistic and had us down between 6th and 9th. Even with the squad we have that should have been achievable IMO.

Agreed. I know we lost some players in the off season but I thought that for the most part we had signed decent enough replacements that should have been able to keep us around the level we had previously been at.

My only gripe with Pearson, is that the limited coaching staff employed for the First team.

Regarding Motu Tony, he was in situ before Gentle departed, i.e probably installed on Radford's recommendation.

Comments regarding Brian Smith, I agree.

Smith has the ability to mould a group of players into a team,and improve basic core skills ,
at this moment in time, He is the type of technical coach we need. -IMO

I spoke to a kid I know playing in oz at feeder club level, he spoke about the speed of the game & the core skill level over there, he said they teach it from a very early age, the importance of core skills is massive, when Aussie players & coaches come over here they can't believe how poor ours are, I know this is something PG always commented on getting into our youth structure as early as we can, as he said it is hard to coach the older the player becomes, I believe Brian smith & co can do a lot better job in there own back yard, but wanting Aussie coaches to come here is not always the answer, IMHO it has to be a very good structure from academy to hitting the first team, Leeds & Wigan are coping just fine without an Aussie coach, they are slinging there young kids in who are doing just fine because they are been nurtured right.

It's catching on.

great post.

When Maguire & Brown took over Wigan & Huddersfield respectively, this was the first issue they addressed
- basic core skills.

Wane & Anderson are showing continuity in their methods/structures left from their predecessors

This is our failing - IMO.

Good post. Agree with a lot of what you just said there. However, whilst I agree that Leeds and Wigan are doing just fine at present, I would point out that both clubs have had Aussie coaches in the not too distant past. Just wonder if that has had any bearing on how well Wane and McDermott are currently doing? Are they reaping the benefits of their predecessors work? Would they be doing as well if they were at Hull?

Ultimately we need to get the right structure in place if we are going to achieve producing youngsters. I believe we have the facilities in place from top to bottom but I am unsure about whether we have the quality or quantity of coaching staff necessary to achieve this aim. According to the website we have seven first team members of our coaching staff (one of which is a video analyst). Is that enough and are they the right personnel? Same question for the academy sides. I can't see anyone listed there on the official website so I have no idea who is involved in those areas.