You would think a man of Smiths experience and standing in the game would take a step back and recognise it’s time to do the decent thing if he’s having pops at the fans in the local rag. Beggars belief really.

We have won 2 of our last 14 competitive matches, which were Wakefield and London at home.

We haven't won a game outside of Hull since June 2023 (which if you're going to be picky was a neutral venue).

Conceded an average of 35 points a match so far this season, scoring an average of just 10 points a game in the process (almost half of which came in one game vs London)

We haven't even scored the first try in a match since Huddersfield at home in August 2023.

And yet he even dares to question to Loyalty of supporters? Any ounce of respect I had for the bloke has been lost in that ridiculous comment.

As time passes by and when I look back to 2016/17, particularly the cup wins, the more I am of the opinion that the real architect of the Wembley triumphs (and our generally high standard of play at that time) was Gareth Ellis. His mere presence and stature on the field took an, admittedly good side, up to a different level, a level where we looked like winners and not merely wanna-be's.

Quite obviously we have no-one of that stature right now, but I remember the difference between our performance level from when Ellis was on the field and when he wasn't. It is a very rare commodity in team sports today where one man can galvanise those around him to raise their game an extra ten percent.

The lack of a Gareth Ellis, however, still doesn't excuse all of the shortcomings surrounding the club that we are witnessing today.

The fans are the main constant of any club.

Players, Coaches and Owners come and go, but it’s normally just the fans (quite often a family heredity thing too) who remain when all the above move on.

Quote HU8HFC="HU8HFC"As touched on in another thread… It sounds as if the current coaching methods at this club is a shambles. I suppose it may be his style, but it appears that Tony is incredibly laid back in his approach to training, to the extent where we go into games without even having a game plan (kicking early in sets, targeting a teams weaknesses,etc). Told on good authority that a player who I won’t name had gone a couple weeks without even having a conversation with Tony, how are players supposed to improve and “right their wrongs” as we have been told they are trying to when the coach doesn’t even go out their way to speak to a regular first team player? I didn’t get the impression that the player’s particularly get on well with the coaching staff either, with one of the coaches been branded ‘a weirdo’. I was delighted we got him at the time, but it just feels like Tony is too passive, Rovers players are genuinely scared on Willie Peters, they rarely go out on the lash because of how strict they know he can be, call it tough but that’s how it should be and I can’t help but think we would be at least making a better fist of it if we had a coach with that type of mindset.'" I guess he must b1e spending all his time talking to the Kids "Playing the final game last year has helped me out confidence-wise, but I don't want to let it get on top of me," Jebson added. "I don't want to get too confident. I know there's improvement in me; nobody is perfect. "Tony has been great with us young players. He's always talking to us, and he's always pushing us, telling us it doesn't matter how old we are, but if we're training and playing our best, then we'll be in the team. For me, I just need to get to the standard I know I can get to, keep improving, and kick on. on another topic perhaps its not always a good thing when clubs communicate with their fans https://www.giantsrl.com/article/8775/g ... ter-finals

Quote HU8HFC="HU8HFC"As touched on in another thread… It sounds as if the current coaching methods at this club is a shambles. I suppose it may be his style, but it appears that Tony is incredibly laid back in his approach to training, to the extent where we go into games without even having a game plan (kicking early in sets, targeting a teams weaknesses,etc). Told on good authority that a player who I won’t name had gone a couple weeks without even having a conversation with Tony, how are players supposed to improve and “right their wrongs” as we have been told they are trying to when the coach doesn’t even go out their way to speak to a regular first team player? I didn’t get the impression that the player’s particularly get on well with the coaching staff either, with one of the coaches been branded ‘a weirdo’. I was delighted we got him at the time, but it just feels like Tony is too passive, Rovers players are genuinely scared on Willie Peters, they rarely go out on the lash because of how strict they know he can be, call it tough but that’s how it should be and I can’t help but think we would be at least making a better fist of it if we had a coach with that type of mindset.'" I guess he must b1e spending all his time talking to the Kids "Playing the final game last year has helped me out confidence-wise, but I don't want to let it get on top of me," Jebson added. "I don't want to get too confident. I know there's improvement in me; nobody is perfect. "Tony has been great with us young players. He's always talking to us, and he's always pushing us, telling us it doesn't matter how old we are, but if we're training and playing our best, then we'll be in the team. For me, I just need to get to the standard I know I can get to, keep improving, and kick on. on another topic perhaps its not always a good thing when clubs communicate with their fans https://www.giantsrl.com/article/8775/g ... ter-finals

remind Smith of that when he leaves Charles out of the team on Friday

[urlhttps://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/reason-hull-fcs-big-defeats-9188096[/url

Don't worry everyone, Bamber's cracked it!

Pretty certain by the end there he's getting his words of wisdom from The A-Team!

If, as expected, we take another hammering on Friday (especially if we are REALLY hammered) and Smith is still in the hot-seat for the Huddersfield game next week, then we will have to assume that he really is going nowhere and will remain in charge until the end of the year, at the very least.

If he isn't removed from post after three consecutive fifty-plus point defeats, then it's difficult to see what would make Pearson pull the plug. If he's not going to get rid of him this weekend, then why next? What difference would another catastrophic loss make to the overall balance sheet.

Don't forget Pearson stood by Radford even on the back of a 11/12 game losing streak.

Is this perhaps the possible situation
1. Smith is the last coach Pearson will appoint
2. Playing budget rumoured to be at CAP meaning the current squad are the only players willing to sign
3. Pearson taking a big wage out of the club from ticket and merchandise sales as his only source of income
4. Smith on huge wage and impossible to pay him off.
5. The lack of interest from Pearson to attract investors means he has something to hide?
6. Finally could Smith and Pearson walk and leave the club stranded without any leadership, meaning a temporary end of Hull FC?

Adam is networking massively to try and pull in Investors

Smith should fall on his sword and if it’s
4-50 on Friday then he cannot possibly stay
It’s an impossibility

As for the match
Dobbins scum were evens money at
Minus 20 points
That’s free money

Pele isn’t match fit or match sharp

I think we’re just not up to the intensity of a Derby

If we concede 50+ then Smith has to resign if he has any decency in him

Agree, if he gets past this week he's here for the season and wll be trusted with next years recruitment.

And as depressing as that scenario is, it probably doesnt dent Pearson's finances that much, we don't sell loads of match tickets the money is already in the bank from the pass sales. Whether they can inspire enough to renew next year with new signings would be the next challenge for the club.