Is Gene any good? I've always felt he's just there because he's a club legend. What's he done as a coach?

Smith will want people in he can trust.

Rovers had a reshuffle too when Peters got announced. McGuire and Deleney are their assistants. Gene is working with the academy.

Smith’s time as head coach at Rovers, I find really hard to judge. For the men in charge before him, bearing in mind the situation they walked into, I can quite easily give them a score out 10 to reflect how I view their performance.

Sandercock - 5… and a quarter
Chester - 5
Peacock - 2… largely for appointing…
Sheens - 8

For Smith though it is anywhere from 4 to 7 depending which way I turn it and how the light catches it. There’s certainly some things he said and did at Rovers that I hope he carries into the role at Hull, if he is offered it, and I’ll resent it a bit if he doesn’t. On the other hand, through a combination of circumstance and judgement he did (eventually) improve us and lay some foundations. It is so nice when we concede one try to have some hope that we won’t quickly concede another. He did fix some of the mental issues that had plagued us.

It might not be exactly the same TS that was at the Dobbins. Every club has a different dynamic and different approaches are needed.

At least he’s experienced enough to be able to handle it.

People also say he might clash with AP, but I reckon AP will be pleased to have someone in charge who can handle the personalities and problems.

It's a NO for Tony Smith from me- Des Hasler may well be available. Shane Flanagan isn't coaching.

We had to do something and I am very skeptical with regards to Smith. Hes always good at starting a project but very rarely sees it through. I remember when he played Senior injured in the 2005 final and wouldnt admit he was wrong to do so.

I think the success he had at KR is always blown out of proportion, he did ok but spent alot of time near the bottom. I think alot of people think his appointment will change our placing in the table immediatley and I am not so sure it will. I certainley wouldnt have us down as certs for the play off with him in charge next season. Hes never really had an immediate impact anywhere, it will take him two seasons at least IMO which is why I dont think its viable as a short term option. You cant brimg a head coach in to sing somebody elses tune.

I dont know why but cant help but think his appointment will blow up in our face.

Thats exactly as i see it, - fans always seem to overhype our `young guns.'
The only ones i've been impressed with are Balmforth & Litten (although tbf i haven't seen enough of some of the others)
Over the last 3 or 4 years, S.L players we've produced are 3 small forwards (Brown Fash & Lane), Scott, Wynne, & Jez Litten, - hardly inspiring!
Is there a Murphy, Pryce or Wellsby coming through? - Doubt it.
Shenton seems to be doing a great job but I suspect the Academy is a well coached, well drilled unit,with plenty of good players, but no real stars.
& you're dead right about about Longstaff, needs to be signed if possible.

Take your black and white specs off for a moment. I know it’s difficult to acknowledge that a player you let go might be a success. More independent observers obviously see things in him you apparently don’t. That is of course supposing you actually see enough of him to form a reasoned opinion.

It saddens me to see that the mighty Hull FC are reduced to signing players as a stop gap. I remember when they had a plan for the future and signed players who were expected to help move that plan forward. How the mighty seem to have fallen if your assessment of Dwyer is correct.

They is no black and white specs here, I call it as I see it and have no interest in if he played for us or not. He may be a good player at some point in his career but to even think he can reach the heights of Hodgson is beyond rose tinted.

We never let him go either he decided to leave which again bears no reflection on ourselves. Id also love to go to this fantasy time where we signed players for the future we sign past it players all the time.

I mean the only person being bitter here is yourself who seems to be taking a shine to a topic about our now ex coach and potential new one.

Michael McGuire - move for him ASAP

So you have hardly seen these youngsters play but they are overhyped. I'd say there are a few potential stars in the academy, the ones that stand out for me are Balmforth, Staverly, Martin, Medforth, Laidlaw, Armstrong and Severs. I few others could also make good SL players like Moy and Jebson.

Add in to this Hookem, Litten and Barron, I think we are in good position, to start bringing through 2 or 3 players a year.

For me if Balmforth can get fit, he has potential to be the best player at his age.

Doesn't finish off a project? He was at Leeds 4 years and won 2 grand finals, including their first in SL history. Leeds also won the next two grand finals after he left

He then spent about 8 years at Warrington, winning 3 challenge cups, 2 LL shields abd making a few grand finals.

His time at Rovers was hit and miss, but still made the play offs for the first time in over 10 years.

There are a few things you can doubt Smith about, but you can't say he doesn't finish jobs and he has improved every club he has been at.

If he starts to improve us particularly discipline, mentally and picks players on form rather than reputation then he has done a good job.

Litten is a very good SL player and we (radford) made the mistake of not playing him more meaning he rightly wanted to leave.

I don't see Dwyer as a stop gap, more playing it safe and giving out long contracts (I'm sure Rovers sometimes give out one year deals or at least wish they had at times).

You would honestly think Rovers have had an amazing season and have recruited a world class coach and signings for next year based on some Rovers fans criticism of our club.

There isn't much between the clubs, if Smith comes in and we sign a couple more I think we will challenge the play offs next season.

The recruitment of Hoy, Sutcliffe, Trueman and Dwyer vastly improves out 17, with no real losses except Mau, add to this the young players a year older, more experienced and bigger I'm feeling alot confident with impending coaching changes.