In 2007 he was asked to be something he wasn't when Cooke left. When we got a 7 back he played well again.


Even those where Thorman hasn't played?

As much as I like R.Horne I would be looking for a more creative SO for next season. I know people say his running game will suit Long perfectly but why cant we have a running SO that can actually create as well? It would be gut wrenching to see him play for another team but unless his performances pick up next season I just dont see how we can justify paying him the amount of salary cap he takes up.

There aren't that many about, and none in the UK that would be available and better than Horne on top form IMO.


With his long service 'discount' Horne is actually pretty cap efficient. But he does need to recover his form for next season, no doubt.

I did think that after I posted it The main issue is that he is one of the top earners so its not easy to replace him or drop him etc. Nothing would please me more than to see him back to his best next season but I just have a niggling doubt about him ever recovering that form again.

Thing is, cap efficient is one thing, justifying one of the biggest salaries at the club is another. 50% or not he isnt worth the cash we are paying him currently.

Very few of our players are.

Horne is clearly not playing well at the moment (although I thought he was OK in the Derby) but there are several easily-identifiable possible reasons for that. I don't see why we should be writing him off just now.

Im trying not to write him off and i agree his form in the rovers game was better, but if his weight loss and illness doesnt improve and his form consistently cant improve then surely to keep him we need to re-negotiate his deal and keep his as cover only, bringing in a classy creative 6.

Why would Horne want to renegotiate his deal on the basis of one poor season? How many other players have ever done that at ANY club?

Particularly when two of the factors contributing to his poor form are beyond his control and won't be fixed until the off season.

I hope he manages to control it.

It wouldnt be a trick for the club to downgrade his contract or offload him if he cant though. If performance is impacted by an illness and isnt repairable any company can dismiss the individual and FC have the right to do what they want. He will have had his testimonial this year and the club is bigger than carrying one player should it come to that.

brett stewart is diabetic and i think danny sculthorpe is too. not sure about other RL players but it's obviously a managable obstacle

rich hasn't formed an effective partnership with chris thorman but he is a quality player and always will be hopefully