I think he was. Problem for Cooke was that he started to believe it.

Edited for a truer assessment.

I think some of the fans did too TBF.

You need a player to have confidence in their abilities , without being over confident.

I think Cooke knew he was not really at the standard he'd thought when he agreed the move, he was just offered more cash and he went for it.

I think there was a lttle more to it than just the money.

Boyhood Rovers fan.... and the money. That's about it.

and possibly the attitude of some of the management had to him ?

the attitude he brought upon himself for sheer arrogance?

probably

Easy excuse. Wait to see what he writes in his book.

You really don't want to believe anything that Cooke says about why and how he left FC.

You may well be right , but he may have perceived himself a victim.
As mentioned before it's a strange old world.

He's always the victim. His exit from craven park wasn't his fault. His complaining about media cover... in the media wasn't his fault. His bad behaviour was never his fault.

Maybe that's his biggest issue if he keeps thinking life is dealing him these hands.

his driving away from an accident was also down to little green men

What did Paul Cooke do when he was 21 though? He was a prospect, but he wasn't anywhere what Westerman is at now though. Cooke didn't really begin to take off until 2004 IMO. The key is for Westerman to keep developing so that when he reaches his mid-20s he's THE big thing, and not still the next big thing.

The problem Westerman has is that he's come to Hull, the move suited Castleford more than him as an individual IMHO.

Agreed.

Like I've mentioned in the past, how many players have actually developed at the club since the Hornes, Kings, Cookes, Yeamans? I thought we had a couple coming through in Washbrook and Wheeldon, but that seems to have done downhill. Only Houghton I can really think of, and he's been turned down by the Knights, and Briscoe (but we are well behind in the backs in this country).

Our record in promoting youth is exemplary. Our record of progressing them is shocking. Only Horne and Yeaman has made the GB/Eng team that is actually from Hull, and only Tom Briscoe with any consistency from our academy. We're supposed to be an A-License club.

As predicted, Cooke's comments in the HDM are quite entertaining. THis week, big praise for FC's organisation and attack, and gameplanning too:

He credits FC with a FC’s players stood up to be counted with an impressive victory over the Crusaders at the KC Stadium.

"I was particularly impressed with the performances of Richard Horne, Sam Obst and Joe Westerman. They each showed some great touches in attack, and made some smart decisions defensively. But for me it was the direction of the team which looked better as the game wore on, and this was down to the two half-backs. Agar’s game plan was based around attacking what are called ‘spot players’ in the game. These are the players identified as the opposition’s weaker defenders, and in Crusaders’ case, that was Michael Witt, Tony Martin and Jarrod Sammut and hooker Lincoln Withers down the middle.

"Looking at all of the FC tries in detail, they all came from attacking the players who will have been identified in the video sessions during the week. I especially liked the Kirk Yeaman try, which was a simple dive over in the end, but came about as the plays leading up to it were top drawer. The first run was at Sammutt, which set up play by the middle players at the posts.Then another run came at Witt on the other edge, making the Crusaders’ defence adjust to help the weaker players out. Then Yeaman smartly kept attacking the right edge for a dive over. This is what Agar talks about when he repeatedly refers to playing “smart” rugby in his interviews."


Whereas a huge dig at Rovers reliance on Dobson:

"Two games without Michael Dobson and two more defeats for Hull KR. As I said in last week’s column, the absence of the Robins’ star man is going to have a massive impact on Justin Morgan’s men."When you take any key player or players out of any Super League team, it’s difficult to keep performances to a high standard. But for KR, the ship looks extremely rudderless without the star Aussie. It is certainly going to be an intriguing situation to watch and see how KR cope over the next six or seven weeks. On the evidence of their last two displays and results, it looks one hell of an assignment and test for Morgan and his coaching staff. It is really difficult for them to try and find solutions, and ultimately it is up to the players who take to the field to step up to the mark.

In my opinion, this has always been a danger at KR as everything has gone through Dobson. They have probably been lucky in previous seasons that he has remained fit and played all games. When you put all responsibility on one player to run the team, there is going to be a significant transitional period within the organisation when he is missing. It will now take time for KR to get their combinations to work, not just in the halves but also between the half-backs and the hooker, second rowers props.

"Dobson was key for directing all of those players around the park, so it is clear to see why KR have not been getting to the end of their sets in the last fortnight. In my opinion, it takes around four to maybe six weeks for players to become accustomed to playing styles."

Miaow, Paul, entertaining read, mind.

He's finally realised what side his bread was buttered on as he watches it now, face down on the carpet.

Keep that dream alive, Crookie.

Ill maybe get slated but im finding cookes colulm decent read!!?

ur write.he knows more about the game then most.wud b outstanding as coach.

I think some are still obsessed with Cook and his ways,get over it...the point is westerman is not and won't be an international player for quite a while and he's nowhere near as good as cook it's just some don't like to admit it

You have to have the respect of the players to be a Coach.

Most players dont condone hitting women and acting like a tit either.

As usual like any other thread it goes off topic.