Quote: Tarquin Fuego "World class coach need apply or we poach Morgan'"
Richard Agar was a very clever player who you might have thought would make a good coach.
To me the main problem is poor recruitment and I wonder if the blame for that lies with Agar or the boardroom.
Most of Hull's team tonight were players signed from other clubs or overseas. Presumably each and every one of those players were considered good enough to improve the squad. So with a full salary cap available year on year plus the rare ability to pay transfer fees, you would think Hull should have a top, top team.
Maybe some think Hull do have a top team and somehow Richard Agar makes them rubbish. But IMO although Hull obviously do have some good players they have just as many who don't really cut it. And they keep signing those of the latter category.
Then there's the problem of the Sean Long/Joe Westerman type signing. Headline grabbing for sure which is good but you need to be sure they can match hype with deeds. Long cannot simply because the human body cannot perform as it approaches middle age like it does in youth. I will not criticise Sean Long because back when he was at an age where it is possible to play good rugby, he was one of the best. Westerman joins Hull after a very disappointing 2010 with Cas. the warning signs were there for everyone to see but seemingly not to Hull FC.
One thing I have observed many times is that when a player comes on the scene, burns brightly but then fades is that they NEVER ever get back to where they were. It's probably a confidence thing but when it goes it stays gone. These players develop an instinctive self preservational ability to stay just a fraction away from the places where you get hurt. I introduce to you Joe Westerman. Must admit I would too if I was a RL player, it is such a tough game.! I couldn't come close to matching a middle aged Long or a tentative Westerman but then again Hull FC are not paying me top dollar like those two.
PLayers like Moa and Lauaki should not be wearing Hull FC shirts. If they were English then OK they can take their place as squad members but taking precious overseas trained spots? No way.
Now you have Sam Obst on good money for 2 years taking up a quota spot and all because you had a problem and he was available. He's a good little player nothing special but he won't let you down. Quota spot for a Grade A club? No way. You have the injury prone Phelps taking another overseas slot for the main reason that he was available.
Long term planning? Vision? Or desperate firefighting?
You may deride Rovers for their 9 foreign born players (10 when/if Mason arrives) but you have 7 now and do they add the same kind of value as Newton, Galea, Dobson, Clinton & co? Be honest now. Cos those Rovers players undoubtedly are better than what Rovers could get from the British market therefore they are all good signings. Moa? Phelps? Obst?
I've always thought that the best coaches are the ones who have the best players. It's never the other way round.
Give Richard Agar the current Australian first XIII and hey presto he becomes a good coach. He'll beat Rovers every time. You'd love him.
Sport is about players. Other clubs like Rovers sign better players than you do. That's your problem. Just IMO of course.
