I have been shouting for long enough that our so called great youth policy is not working and the sacrifice of Tommy Lee will be up there with some of the greeat cocks ups. Shaun Briscoe




Too much talent is walking away from not only the club but the game and that is criminal.

careful Ian.....you'll be accused of being a red and white

Hull have introduced many local youngsters to the top level of the game in recent years. There is a school of thought that dares to suggest maybe too many at the expense of quality particularly when coupled with poor external recruitment. The plethora of injuries has probably also meant that those young players have had to play too many games, sometimes out of position, to cover. Could it be that this is a major contributor to the club's on-field performance 'nose diving' and not a result of it ?

That said I look around and see the likes of James Graham, Joel Tomkins, Sam Burgess and past greats like Shaun Edwards, Alex Murphy and others. I think if you are really good enough you naturally shine regardless. Cream rises to the top. I have no doubt that good coaching is a contributor but if you're really good then you prove it with performance. Just because you were OK at 16/17 means nothing. There must be 1000s of players across the world who promised at 16 but failed to make the top grade. It's not just about coaching it's about how much raw talent is really there plus the mental strength and single mindedness needed to be a winner. Those things are the responsibility of the individual IMHO.

Tell that to his face if you have the bottle! I bet a lot of people who are dishing out the dirt like this have never played rugby in their lives.

What a load of garbage.

I've never been Prime Minister but I know Gordon Brown is gash!

I agree you dont have to have played at a high level to know if someone is a good player or not but he isnt crap !

Whilst I dont agree with Standee regards Tommy Lee he still has the right to his opinion of him as a player. The ability/willingness to say it to his face or otherwise should have nothing to do with it. Easy to say I know but Tommy shouldn't take it personally (and probably doesn't) if someone on a message board thinks he is "crap". Plenty of people think he has something to offer, myself included, and hope that he achieves some success. Thackray moving on may make it easier for him to do that here but if not a move away could be the best thing for him.

Or even a family member

For crap, read "not at the standard I wish we could attract to FC", of which, most of the squad falls short this season.

You said you supported both teams, or do you just pick your seasons depending who has the better season

Indeed. I've always maintained, however, that he is good enough to be useful squad member and with time may grow into a starting player. He still has plenty of improvement left in him IMO.

Thats the point isnt it, the majority of our players are of the same ilk but with some having a hugely lower work rate.

Nope, it depends who is playing for said team

Exactly, as well as a hugely higher salary.

In the olden days, players hit their potential a lot earlier as the difference maybe from colts to first team wasnt as immense as it is now - players are still developing at 24/25 years old now so therefore plenty of time for tommy to realise his potential

Yes, depends whose proping the team up



Fickle fans eh

Not at all.

Its the players interests that bother me more than anything.

Whatever

Oh dear.

Why do i spend all my time defending the Hall's, the Lee's and the Radford's of the world then??

Everyone needs a hobby.

Indeed.

Alas it may be elsewhere which is shame

FWIW I can see both sides of the argument with Lee. There's no doubting that he's had a torrid time due to events beyond his control, but then again rumours persist that he doesn't exactly help himself with his attitude and social life.

I'd like to think that he's shown enough on the pitch this season to be kept on at least as a squad player and given a chance to develop further. That said, if we're in the same boat again next season he'd be better served being somewhere else TBH.