new coach to be named this week.
big rumours lee radford taking over. massive backwards step for me

Apparently the main reason Radford is tipped for the job is 2 fold:

1 - local lad, get Hull back to basics etc
2 - he has improved their defence this season.....just don't watch their last game...

I wonder what mediocre coaching appointment hull will make next?

Radford would be a mistake. He's not had any time away from the setup since he was a player.

Right decision, they've made no progress this season. They've finished no higher in the table and had a shambolic exit at the same stage as last year in far worse circumstances against arguably a worse team. The CC?

Wigan made, and won the final without playing a single top 5 team. Considering the variables in the draw each year I don't think that can be used as any accurate barometer of progress.

Seems a bit knee jerk to me. Even with Pearson willing to spend, the salary cap dictates that you can't spend your way out of trouble any more. The squad is not anything to write home about, and I think 6th place wasn't a bad return. The 5 aove them all look better sides on paper, and proved to be so on grass too. Ellis didn't prove a great signing IMO. Had a couple of injury problems and when fit hasn't impressed me. Wouldn't be in my England squad if I were picking. Which I'm not. Obvs.

The Cup Final was a limp display, but they punched above their weight in the semis to get there. Thursday night was a total shambles and there was a real lack of effort and concentration. I wonder if this was in the pipeline and it was an unhappy camp?

Hard to know. But after several years of doing nothing of note in terms of young talent, the emergence of Crooks, Lineham and Jamie Shawl could be his biggest legacy.

Seriously doubt that they'll find anyone beter to bring in.

Gutted to be honest. Think it is pretty obvious that there are some players there who dont have the mental toughness or attitude to want to be a top rugby league player. To go from outstanding defence for 80% of this season, to that on Thursday - from the same group of players........Gentle looked let down on Thursday and Pearson has gone for it. Thing is, were taking another backward step - Lee Radford, Andy Last and Paul Cooke 'Dream Team' - oh dear is all I will say

Radford IMO is way too green to take on a head coaches role - as others have said, it's a step backward.

I really don't know what Gentle was supposed to do with a mid table team - getting to the CC final was far better than anyone would have expected and exiting the play-offs when they did was just about par.

This makes me think that there is more to his demise than simply these results. If I were a Hull fan I'd be reasonably happy with what they achieved this year.

We finished 6th based on our defence. Our attack was appalling, the timing of runs, the timing of the pass, our lack of running options was terrible to watch. If we had imporved this, then we would have been higher than 6th.

They're just going to copy the Huddersfield model: English, ex-player coach and - judging by recent evidence - no fans.

Do not go Gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go Gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go Gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go Gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

I suppose the difference with Paul Anderson is that he served a very long apprenticship under John Sharp and Nathan Brown. Lee Radford has had two seasons alongside Peter Gentle.

Like others, I really don't see what Hull were expected to achieve above and beyond their sixth place finish. They're far from 'big four' material and they failed to overcome the worst St Helens team in the Super League era. They punched above their weight to get to Wembley but clearly couldn't / wouldn't perform on the big occasions beyond that.

Gentle going at the end of the season was a strong rumour in the weeks building up to the Challenge Cup final so probably shouldn't really come as too much of a surprise now. Difficult for any coach to survive such a surrender as was witnessed at Huddersfield last Thursday.

Hull have now been on the receiving end of the two biggest scores against and the two widest margin drubbings in the Play-Offs during the SL Era and both have come in seasons when they also reached the Challenge Cup final. On the previous occasion - while they didn't change coach immediately, he (Kear) was gone by the end of March - Agar taking over as caretaker before Peter Sharp arrived and they went on to make the Grand Final that year.

Brian Smith as Director of Rugby with Radford as coach?

Surely the incumbent England coach will be a potential candidate. A Hull lad, and more coaching experience than Radford.

This "massive investment" from Pearson. Who have Hull signed to bolster their 2012 squad?

Holdsworth and Ellis were both good signings, but struggled with injuries. Brett Seymour had a breakdown, and was replaced in a panic by Jacob Miller (Hull's equivalent of Leeds signing Vickery).
Ben Galea came in to add numbers to the squad and hardly played.

It's not like Pearson "did a Koukash" and let Gentle go play fantasy rugby with an open chequebook.

Two poor performances in their highest profile games of the season have done for him IMO.

Haven't they signed Paleaaesina for next year? I'll be interested to see whether Radford's coaching can bring the best out of him.

The Radford is the biggest Hull KR fan in East Side.

And there is talk of the Paul Cooke returning in some role.

The red and white sarde is taking over.

Be interesting to see if there's a pair of shorts big enough to take the job on.

Maybe not, he's back to his NRL playing weight and fitness levels. Could be bad news though as could lower his 'impact' ability

That is exactly what happened with him at Salford.He lost over 2 stone in weight,worked hard in pre season and came in looking in great shape.Soon became obvious that he had lost the punch in his game.Dont ask me why but getting in great shape just didnt work for him.So 2 years later i cant see it working out any differently.Hope i am wrong because a Feka at his best is a real asset and i would genuinely like to see him make a successful return to SL

Did I hear on last week's NRL coverage that George Rose doesn't have a club for next season yet? He'd be a massive boost to the flagging fortunes of SL - well he'd certainly be massive.

According to the always excellent Backchat prog on Sky last night Matty Bowen (Wigan's replacement for the departing Sam) is being reported in Australia as entering retirement. Ouch.

I think he did announce that he was retiring then signed for wigan

[urlhttp://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/matt-bowen-announces-retirement-20130830-2suu5.html[/url

Its been confirmed on the BBC website

He has signed for Melbourne.

Interview with Pearson on sky website where he states Hull must be top 4 and reach Wembley under Radford. He then says Wigan and saints are the blueprint for successful youth development, no mention of SL most successful team though. His dislike of Leeds still too raw maybe.

'must be Top 4'



Can't see the Top 4 changing next year, so he can Koukash will be disappointed. Saints probably have the best chance to squeeze in it.

Hull are way off the pace.

As for youth devlopment ask our home growns to show off all their rings. Running out of fingers.