Tansey must play 7 next week regardless of who plays 6. I'd have him and Horne together with Whiting at FB, Calderwood on the wing and Hall at centre.

I'm a huge fan of Horne, Paul, but ATM he clearly isn't fit. For that reason alone I believe it would be worth replacing him at least while Long is out. He's also lost weight and pace, and for someone who has always relied on his physical attributes and athleticism for the best parts of his game that's having a huge effect.

Not sure a complete new halfback pairing is the way to go unless Horne is not fit to play? If he isn't fit then try Turner/Tansey but that would be risky.

Could not be any worse than yesterday though could it?

Again can't blame the halves for it all, the forwards were not dominant and the other players were not offering themselves for the halves to utilise.

Looking at the strapping Horne was wearing yesterday and the way he was playing I'd say he's not fit to play now. Sure, he's not so crocked that we can't get him on the field, but there's little point in doing that if he's not going to be effective. It's unfair on him as much as the rest of the side and the fans - he can hardly show whether he's improved on last season when not 100%.

Back in my playing days, I fractured C6. After nearly a year out of the game, I started playing again. When I resumed, my ex-missus used to comment about the lumps & bumps on my face, something that I rarely suffered from before my injury. When I analysed it, I'd completely changed my playing style, I was tackling upstairs instead of round the legs, I also knew that I wasn't running with the ball at anything like my previous pace. Basically, I was subconsciously attempting to protect my neck and it was affecting the way I played the game. It took some time but in the end I knew that I wasn't putting enough in anymore and decided the time had come to hang up my boots.

I hate to say but I seriously think that Rich Horne is still carrying some baggage from what was a very serious injury.

My hubby (an ex-player), has been saying this for a while.

Something that's been at the back of my mind ever since he came back, especially when coupled with the onset of his diabetes. Looking at the way he's playing now I strongly suspect that you're bang on. Hence my comments earlier about him considering retirement.

I agree if he is not fit then he should not play, not fair to him or the team.

He,s lost his confident. and won't get it back

Interesting post that could well have some relevance.

It's chicken and egg IMO, hard to know for certain where that problem comes from. Horne was in the halves most of last season and we had no runners, Long comes in and for the first 2 games we have several straight away. So is it Horne having no options, or perhaps that he doesn't demand them like he should?

It's at least as much a coaching problem though.

Rich Horne has never been or will ever be a leader.

Rich is no doubt still carrying that injury "thought" in his head and his Medical condition is certainly not helping his overall fitness. Drop him is an option and one he maybe needs to help him, but you replace him with who exactly ?

We had the last two season as proof he is no No7 and yet despite that we play the same failed half back pairing of Washy and Horney. This season could well turn out like the last one or so easily, now was it a bad day at the office or are the wheels on the bus already loose ?

The prospect of Longy being missing for at least 50% of the games was always my view and there is no and never has been a back up plan to Longy apart from a return to the tried and failed 2009 gameplan. Longy being injured is not a reason for losing matches and we beware of people using it .

It's strange, but halfbacks normally mature into playmakers as they get older even if they were just known for thier running in earlier days.

Judas Schofield for example, Iestyn Harris, even Longy to some extent.

However it seems that Horney has lost his pace without acquiring any tactical nous at the same time. Every time you see that some old "shoulder drop and step" you just want to put your head in your hands.

I wish it was any other way but the star boy has become the average man.

Couldn't agree more !! That "shoulder drop and step" every time he gets the ball is just painful to watch.

Listen this comment is not a "Bash richard" comment but I have to say now that all the games he has played thus far he has been the odd one out, not doing anything unusual , BUT has stood out for his lack of pace again and now his tackling is well to be fair awful at best !
He was pushed off on so many ocassions yesterday I lost count and to say he wasnt supported by other players is silly , what point is there supporting a player that plainly is not going to make a break !!, the chap sat next to me ( Crusader fan) said he looked like he had never played professional rugby before and commented how at least two drives in every six they pinpointed Rich !!
why did they do that ?? because they know through Sharp that he cant tackle anymore and the old show and go is somewhat painful to watch these days as it fools no one anymore!!
I hate to say this and am most definately not blaming him for yesterday but its nearly time to go Rich , you are clearly not confident anymore!!

I'd disagree there Paul, personally thought our forwards laid down a great platform in the second half.

After the last two seasons, I was so pleased we signed a creative half in Sean Long after lacking in that department for so long.

As a number of other posters have written, this is no way a Horne bashing post. However. I was pleased as punch that Rich had a great testimonial as it was richly deserved and was glad to be a part of it. I did comment after the match that hopefully, we wouldn't see him in the 17 that much this season. My reasoning for this is that he just cannot cut it when required to be the creative player. This was highlighted yesterday I gather. He'll do ok when playing alongside Long but solo is a different matter.

I read with interest some of the other writers about post injury form and think all were valid points. Last season we had no option but to play who we had but this season is different. The longer we persevere with Long (and Washbrook in the halves for that matter, as all he has is the ball turned inside), the longer we will struggle. Horne is not going to get any better and he's a shadow of the player he was. Time to look at the longer term issue and see how some of the youngsters shape up.

Horne's injury and illness over the last two seasons have been a tragedy for him and for Hull, and I'm not sure we'll see the end to it

Me neither, partly because of the large contract he will be on !!

I really cant see us having a 100K+ player sitting in the stands and as I've said numerous times I dont think Agar has the bottle to make the really tough decisions. Horne will continue to play at SO for the forseeable future. Its hard to be so tough on Horne but he has never been able to pass a ball with any great degree of skill and his long distance kicking has always been poor. He made up for these deficiencies by having a devastating step a great fend and the ability to find a gap. Unfortunately all of his weapons have deserted him and we have been carrying him for the last couple of years. The really sad part is we will have to live with this situation at least until the end of NEXT season.

People keep saying this, but he was injured for the whole of 2008 bar one and a half games.

Pedantic, possibly, but true nonetheless.


I'm not so sure we will TBH. Agar can't afford Horne to be a passenger, and I don't think that situation will suit Rich either. I wouldn't be surprised to see him retire before the end of his contract, especially if a potential replacement can be found.

To a degree they did, once we got to their line everybody just stood there waiting for someone else to do something.

I think to continue to play horne in the key position of 6 is hindering the team. His lack of confidence lack of creativity and lack of energy is on show for us to see and now does nothing more than try and take the defensive line on. I do not dislike Horne and have grown up watching him and joined in with the HORNEY HORNEY HORNEY chants on occasion he has done something special, but sadly these times are to few and far between Maybe centre or utility man is now more suited. We need a dynamic 6 to take the creative lead when Longy is injured. washbrook has played in the position after numerous injuries to Horne and washy grows with confidence the more he plays the position with his short kick through on the angles or timely off the shoulder runs. Turner has been touted as a potential 6 with his speed and good hands could be greatly used in the stand off role (bit of a leon pryce).

I think Agar should maybe bite the bullet show he wants to play the strongest team and not let salaries dictate. Give washy or turner a run in the position it would be then theirs to lose!!