I don't get your "[iso and so will be better for the game time going forward[/i". Surly Crooks will benefit more from more exposure to first team duty than languishing in the u20's . I agree the team should be picked on form but there's games now where crooks should be picked ahead of Turner now .

Crooks should play every game in front of Turner IMO. Manu should keep his place as he is a great player. Turner has done well, but drop him. PLay our future in that position

From what I've seen of Ben Crooks so far, I would say he's more talented than Kirk Yeamen. I think next season Crooks will be first choice left centre and Yeamen will be fighting it out with Turner's replacement for right centre.

Not dissapointed at all to see Turner go, nor Manu for that matter. I have more faith in Gentle then any other coach I can remember, it's brilliant to see him have faith in our youth and long may it continue. There will be casualties on the way and Manu will be a big loss, but with Ellis coming and Gentle's willingness to give youth a chance, I've never felt this positive about Hull FC for years.

The team should be picked on form, 100% agree. But this shouldnt mean that Crooks should be picked ahead of Turner just because Turner is leaving. Its only if he would have played in that particular game anyway under the Coach's long term plan.

There are a lot of our fans who seem only interested in future youth development.

FWIW, I'd play Crooks ahead of Yeaman, a player who have never really realised his potential.

Fans are only interested in youths playing if they start off amazing. Reece Lyne could turn out to be a very good player given time for all we know, but I doubt anyone will be suggesting putting him in at FB for the test of the year for experience. No-one wants to drop Moa for Bowden.
What if Crooks had a one-off against Leeds and falls to pieces in the next few games? We'll see how quickly the fans turn on him then.

Some people are such hypocrites!

Crooks debut wasn't amazing but he did put a solid performance in against L**ds , The kid has potential and we should be giving him the experience he needs especially as Turner's loyalties lay elsewhere. Bowden will play more games then Crooks this season and it only seems to be you having the hissy fit over the other departing players .

Would like to have kept Manu & Turner, but it's not as though we are breaking up a champion team. Players come & go. In AP & PG we trust!.

I am not sure if you are agreeing with me or having a pop?

I disagree with your opening point. The clammer from some on here to get Washbrook and Lee in the halves was overwhelming. It boarded on abuse that was given to Kear at the time.

The point isn't about Crooks, it's about some wanting to drop Turner, who has been our standout 3/4 this season. As you put it, no one is wanting others to be dropped. I'd imagine there are no West Tigers fans saying that Ellis shouldnt get his place back when he is fit.

Absolutely right. Turner has been a revelation this season and whilst he's ours he has to play. Young Crooks will get his opportunities (PG will make sure of that) but we must choose our proven strongest team so that we finish in as high a position as possible. This will have more attraction for players we are trying to bring to the club.

I'm agreeing with you in regards to dropping Turner because he's leaving not being a good decision.

I'm disagreeing with your point about some fans being only interested in youth development. They only are when the player slipping in is playing well very quickly (and if the team are doing well). As soon as the player messes up/has a poor game/the team lose, many of these same fans will be the first to say "he'll never make it" etc. the hypocrit comment was pointed at them, not you. I think we've basically had the same opinion re: dropping Turner.

I'm not having a "hissy fit" over ANY departing players. Players come and go, and that's sport.

What I am taking exception to is fans having differing opinions about the same situation as its hypocritical.

You think we should drop Turner for Crooks as Turner is leaving and Crooks has potential.
Do you think that Moa should be dropped for Bowden? Exactly the same situation.
Same for Manu and Kent.
Same for Russell and Lyne.
And if Briscoe decides to leave, should he be dropped as well?

Don't talk sense, Wellsy! Doesn't go down well on here!

People are seriously over stating Turners form.

Out of all the centres at the club, he's been in the best form.

How many games have the others played?

What has Turner done to change so many people's opinions in such a short space of time?

Play better



He's been FAR more effective with ball in hand. He's been more elusive, better footwork, faster and runs harder. He's using his winger well. Hes cut out a lot of his errors. And he's been consistent.

Has looked a completely different player under half a year of Gentle Touch to the one last year under Agar suppression. Starting to show the promise demonstrated when he played for Salford. I now have trust in him on the field instead of hoping for the best.

Thought that was stating the bleeding obvious, tbh.

Personally, I've backed him from the off and always said he has the ability to be a good centre. He has definitely improved this season, seems faster, stronger and full of confidence.

No different this season to the back end of last IMO. Strange what a hat-trick against Rovers can do.

Disagree there mate, he finished last season well but has definatley improved this season and showed some good performances before Rovers game.

Are you suggesting people weren't saying he was playing better before the Rovers game?

He only came into the team a few weeks before.

I think the main point is that he was never as bad as some made out before, but he's in a better structured defensive unit so will look better in that department, exactly the same scenario as Sharp.
He's not on my list of must keeps from the Agar regime. But not many are.

The whole team was, due to better structures in place, the same as Sharp.

Let's not forget that he was nowhere near the team until injuries hit.