I agree about what you say regarding league positions. However for me I would say that we MUST finish in the top 8. If we do then we have done well and if not then we have done poorly. No excuses top 8 is a MUST. The manner in which we get there will depend on whether or not I would like to see Agar remain in charge, That said if we were to finish top four then Agar would have every right to demand a new contract.

Gut feeling tells me around 5th/6th.

Yes, because I'd employ the right group of people, with complimentary skill sets and in a professional capacity.

It's called MANAGEMENT.

You just know we will start really well, BUT can we build on that start next year? I just can't see Longy & Fitzy sat in a losers changing room every week! We will make the play-offs and I'm fully expecting us to win the cup (at Wembley)

so when they walk in the room they'd all know each other and wouldn't waste time getting to know each other?

you might be able to find the right people but i dont think many players are psychic.

all coaches know it will take time to get the best out of any side and then within the side due to partnerships.

training and even pre season games dont have the same level of pressure so how can they know what their team mate would do?

Not quite the same in sports, though. A lot of what goes on is down to instinct as well as training, and the building of a working partnership between players. They have to know what each other will do in any given situation without thinking about it as there often isn't time.

A longer than usual pre-season should help a lot, and good coaching can certainly reduce any bedding-in time, but all teams face the same issue.

I see both yours and Standee's points. The team will need time as they can't just come out and play at their best immediatley. However the spirit of the side can be forged in preseason and if Agar can get this right and get everybody playing for each other and believing in each other then he has already done half the job.

Spot on Paul, the ethic and professionalism start on day one, it will take a little time to learn moves etc. (assuming we're bothering with any!).

Interesting to see there are already some excuses for Agar kicking about.

agar needs a good start to keep the fans on side, but we all know its how you finish the season that counts.

some coaches, like noble, always have there side ready for the right time and actually hold back on moves or positional changes till late on in the season so sides dont have time to work them out.

In fairness they are coming from fans and not Agar himself, he has always maintained that next season there are no excuses.

He has to GET us on side before he worries about keeping us!

And they're hardly excuses in any case.

There are too many forgiving people in Hull!

that was my point not about how professional they should be, that should be a given.

I haven't forgiven Agar for anything. I still don't think he's up to the job and I wish we had someone else in charge.

That doesn't mean that I'm going to ignore certain facts of life just to get some extra digs in though.

What Agar needs is his senior players to start getting the whole squad together as a team that wants to win and working for each other to the very best of their ability as though their lives depend on it. Agar has to have some input to this without doubt but players like Fitz, Long, O'Meley and Cusack need to cut right through the recent history of averageness displayed on and off the field and build a close knit team that want to succeed for each other and for Hull FC and its fans. Mediocre offerings from players and coaches alike need to be replaced with a new attitude. I'm hoping that these new players can stamp this authority in pre season. With a bit of confidence and the Tongan Mafia making a positive link with the fans the ball might start rolling in our favour. Everyone needs to work harder than ever to achieve it.

I will be very surprised if you guys finish outside the top 8 next season, cant see you making the top 4 though.

Top 2. Saw it here first.

bit harsh, we are talking of a man who coaches a rugby team whose skills so far have been questionable, it has been made clear he will coach next year, we have new players come in so the only way forward is to support the team and coach initially.
Hardly in the same league as judas, where forgivness would be an appropriate word to use.

A home tie for the play offs should not be out of reach and should be the aim.
Bring a young,hungry half back into the club from the national leagues or promote one (any candidates from the 21s or academy?) and we are all set.

Fully agree about bringing a young scrum half in or promoting them to full time training. Its the only position we have no cover in.

Lee Williams has a chance IMO.

has he signed for the u20's? Their signings dont seem to get announced anymore.

He still has another year in the under 18's he will only be 17/18.

But I would guess that he will play some games for the reserves this year.

Looks a great prospect, I have watched him for a few years now, if the coachs think he can make it I would have him training a couple of times a week with long.

I want to see some good, consistent, competitive rugby from Hull FC played with passion; I want to see some ideas from our halves in the last 20M as well as risk-taking with flair from further out; I want to see solid defence so that it's not as destructive if an audacious move doesn't come off; I want to see some good rugby games because I've seen a lot of dull ones over the last two years (that's not just aimed at FC); I want to see someone talking to the ref more so that we can get a few more calls going our way; I want to see no more threads on here about boozed-up players; I want to see players wearing their shirt with the same pride that the supporters do. With all that we might win more than we lose and we might have a chance of a top-four finish.

The thread said expectations not bl00dy miracles !!!