Very strange statement from Pearson in the HDM basically saying no matter what happens Radford stays, and bringing Radford Out banners etc makes no difference.

Anyone would think pre-season as poor and the club are already on the defensive! Not making the 8 in the new format would be a sackable offence for any FC coach in my opinion.

Also disagree with the HDM's comment that we got better at the end of 2014, we beat Rovers and Leeds in dead rubber fixtures when the pressure was off, yet to be convinced we can do it on the day when it matters.

Maybe he really is just acting on behalf of allam

I just read that and thought it was weird too, seems a bit out of touch with fans.

New season, new chance etc but why make that statement now, especially without a game being played in anger yet.

Strange thing to come out with, if he wants the fans back, then the results must come, if they don't he has to act, or the fans will stay away and he will lose fans and most importantly money. Iv'e always stuck up for AP and I still believe he is the right man for the job, but if results don't go well and we don't look like making the 8 and he doesn't act then I may well change my mind.

Back to the opening poster comments, I disagree about performances, we played well against Saints (who won the GF), Rovers (this wasn't a dead rubber as they still had the chance of making the top 8 ), Cas and much improved against Hudds away. So it was only Leeds that was a nothing game. Bradford was the only poor performance in the last few game and having gone to that game, had we held the ball we would have been 30 up at HT. It's up to us to carry on this form into 2015.

Lets hope we start well and this thread won't be coming back up again.

AP's statement is gonna go down well with our forums resident doomsayers.
Their knickers are really gonna get in a twist this cold winters morning.

Not really - the HDM are asking the questions, "no comment" would make even bigger headlines.
It's not as if AP has made a club statement, is a HDM article.

Bizarre comments from AP - IMO...

What happens IF we start losing games,and crowds dwindle??

Going into a season where relegation is a possibility, with a coaching team who possess no experience
at this level, also entrusting them with the development of the best crop of youngsters at this club for a long time is a huge gamble - IMO.

I don't think anyone in any profession should be untouchable "no matter what happens". Statement therefore is complete nonsense.

On balance a "we don't comment on bookies' odds" reply to the HDM question might have been better. However the positive concept that a Chairman is backing his Coach at the start of the season shouldn't really be cause for too much consternation should it ?

This statement is unfortunately a sign of what we've become as fans.
Some pant wetters are crying over some friendlies so the chairman has to field questions over his coach on the back of them. Embarrassing really.

I completely disagree with you.
I don't believe any of our fans wish to be so negative about our club intentionally but unfortunately it's been indicative of our style of play, results and obvious dislike of our coach in some quarters which has borne out this negativity.
Pearson knows that Lee is not a hugely popular choice right now and with a pre season that mirrors last some fans are sensing a case of de ja vu.
Pearson knows this and anticipates a potential fall in attendances if we don't start well and so with this statement his making his intent known that for this season at least we are stuck with Radford again despite any protests so support the team regardless.

Seems an odd one, but not exactly worrying. It's just Pearson's bullishness spouting off again, and does anyone really believe he will not act under any circumstances?

His 3 reasons are slightly flawed, too, really. Both the quality of recruitment and the team can only be proven in time. We've had several seasons of them looking good on paper, tripe on grass. And I'd fully expect players to be behind the coach before the season starts, it would be really worrying if they weren't.

So it's a nothing story, but does contain some more of the kind of Pearson comments where I find myself questioning him and whether or not he's just full of it.

New season, new start, I'm just gonna wait and see how he does this year before passing judgement, I will say I was a bit of a Radford cynic last year though but you know, prove me wrong is what I challenge him to do!

The story actually states that it was about the fact that Radford is the bookies' favourite for the chop. I don't think they'll have him down as that just on the strength of some fans moaning.

Yeah. But I think it's brought on by fans reactions to friendly games. He made reference to the fans reaction to the friendlies other day when talking about the pre season games.

I don't why the Radford hater's are getting so worked up. Usually in sport an endorsement from the owner/chairman means that coach is on his last legs.

Well I read it as Pearson having confidence in Radford, and the team,to make the eight. Therefore,'There's no way he'll be getting sacked.'
I'm also sure that, if that confidence is misplaced, and the results don't come, Pearson will act and Radford will go. Time will tell.

As a group of fans, we aren't half a bunch of fickle, whinging, negative so and so's.

I honestly don’t see the fuss?

Person has given Radford the full season to get the result he want’s from his investment.

It may be that Person is showing his (may or may not be misplaced) full confidence in Radford and the team. It may be that if we fail this season, Person will throw the towel in. $h!t or bust.

I personally think it's a very brave statement (some have said foolish) by the owner backing his coach come hell or high water this season, what ever happens. AP seems to have every faith in LR, praising him in every aspect in rebuilding the club from top to bottom. On a positive note (this could get me onto Mrs Barista's valentine list !?!) it will have saved a few fans a bit of cash at the bookies, no chance he will shown the door in 2015 never mind be the first coach to go.

It is a very odd choice of words, it shows he is under pressure, that he feels the need to re-iterate backing Radford to do the job when we already knew that (whatever Pearson may actually feel/think to himself).
He has to back his man, to waver now would make him look a bit of an idiot, it would also put more pressure on Radford that he doesn't need going into the start of the season.
That said the actual words used have backed Pearson into a corner which is a mistake. He could have said something like

'Lee is the man for the job to take us forward, it's why I chose him & gets our/my full backing to do his job.' Then use some nice words about his character, 'He is a well liked coach that gets on with everybody & training whilst intense & taxing which of course it should be Lee is able to bring some humour into the session which relaxes the players and they are able to perform better'..or something like that.

It says I'm backing him to the hilt, I like the way he does things & I like what is happening but doesn't commit to saying if we don't reach X position in the league or cup this will/won't happen.
There is backing your man to do the job & giving him all the resources but blindly saying this person will not be sacked no matter what happens could have more negative than positive ramifications.

from the reaction here it seems rather unsettling.

New season, new players, fresh start for me. Not a radders fan(as head coach) but as I say, new season, new players and all that jazz. i'll be there at hudds and there on supporting the lads.

150 years of HULL FC , Lets make this season a party, sing and dance the season through

I think it shows that Pearson believes that Radford is developing a long term plan that Pearson believes will bear fruit and is giving him every chance to prove it. In a way if the youngsters that are coming through are going to be that good then its only fair to let Radford develop them and see where the club can go rather than sacking him then someone else taking the credit. This only works if the club is successful though. If were poor then the youngsters get wasted and possibly ruined by the club and only time will tell on this

Crikey seb good post mate