Aint it strange we have had our best start to a season for years (For whatever reason !) yet we come to our first derby and fear we are in the worst state possible !

I really dont think there will be many changes at all from Sundays Masterclass (Heard it all before Agar !) but even if he made big changes I still cant see anything positive coming out of the weekends rugby !


Agar wants us to play down the middle with no flair so why does it matter which personel he picks to do this !!

I dont think the players have looked lazy and shown the wrong attitude. I new attacking structure that takes 2 drives and then ships left and comes back right is all im asking for. Watch the season review 2004. We had a back line of Briscoe, Best, Whiting/Barnett, Yeamo, R Barnett/Raynor and they looked devastating as they actually saw the ball other than scooting away from our own line. Its no coincidence we finished 3rd!!

Didn't you go on Sunday?

I'm certain that they have.

Nothing gives away a poor attitude more than defensive line speed and collision. Unlike the first few games we recently have been hanging around the referee's 10m mark waiting for the opposition to reach us letting them run at pace and bust through the collision. In attack we're too busy marshalling the next play to be d to support up through the runner who himself fails consistently to show intensity in trying to regain his feet at the play-the-ball. On 4th and 5th plays we're not creating any options for Thorman and Horne by off ball running. I'm with the previous poster. At Bradford we did all these things and at times were a real joy to watch. I refuse to believe that the coaches have put a stop to it. Instead I think the intensity has gone from individuals' performances and we are taking the easy option.

Sure Agar has cocked up the interchanges and possibly selection and deserves the criticism for that but some (most) of the professionals out there wearing the Hull shirt have stopped putting it in. In particular we are being owned by the opposition pack of forwards because we are out enthused and lack intensity. That is the realm of the players out on the pitch not the coaches.

I just think something has gone on with Either Agar or Sharp and the players.

There seems to be 'trouble at mill' !

Sugar Mill????

Yup

We are shattered, that has the biggest impact on things like line speed. As a result of that fatigue we are probably told to conserve some energy where possible. I dont blame the players for them being shattered, i blame our coaching and conditioning.

Ah, you must be talking about the Salford players then?

If thats the case cant someone keep Agar up to date with how many interchanges he has used and how many he has left then !

Maybe James Rule should go sit next to him and count them. Maybe give him some advise on tactics for attacking play too.

We only decided to perform with any intensity around about the 70th minute on Sunday. Unless we get less tired as the game progresses, which seems unlikely, I would say that the players are choosing when to play at the required level instead of putting it in from minute 1.

Agree, I think Agar is out of his league but you cant simply blame him. The players were awful apart from a couple of minutes around the 70 minute mark when we showed how easy it is to beat Salford. Its just a shame we couldnt put it to bed and allowed them in to win the game !