So Dobbo reckons Bomber's role is pointless. As far as I am aware, he is there to act as both a spokesperson for the club and to source new players and negotiate the best deal.
Certainly at the beginning of the season PG was very uncomfortable dealing with the press, although perhaps he's getting used to it now. AP, for all his dealings in soccer, does not have that experience or in depth knowledge of rugby league. I suspect those are some of the reasons for Bomber being in-situ. In due course, maybe his role will become defunct, but to blame Bomber for the fact we are playing poor is ridiculous.

I think the only player who might take a bit of offence is Horne as the club have been vocal about getting a new halfback. He may not be the player he was but I have seen no drop in his attitude or work ethic on the pitch recently.

I think we started to sort out the team/players futures too early, and this has led to a disjointed season. However I feel this is a problem that is affecting RL generally not just HullFC. Each week you are distracted from the rugby by rumours and gossip of who is going where, and therefore the mentality is always 'wait til next year'

As for McRae, he was brought in because Pearson knows little about RL, and Gentle isn't the most outgoing with the press. I feel he does a good job for the club and don't understand the constant sniping at him from the fans...to me he has always treated the Hull fans with respect. I do however think his role will become redundant over time, but we are at least a good year or two away from that point.

I agree that Horne has continued his good work-rate and effort despite the club constantly saying they want a new half-back and/or full-back, which effectively puts him out of the first-team and reduces his role to a squad player.

It is a credit to him that he just ignores all this and gets on with his job, some of the other players seem to forget that they are paid very well to play RL and pay too much attention to gossip and speculation.

Strange how some were agreeing with this point of view when it was brought up a while back, nothing to do with who the OP is, I'm sure.

With regard to Mr McRae, what is his role at the club?

Director Of Rugby, so handles the players contracts and negotiates the transfers/contracts of new players (players are identified by Gentle, who has the final say in who we sign) McRae also looks after the off-field contracts such as the non-playing staff, the choice of training ground etc and also does a lot of the clubs media work (you can't get him away from the SKY cameras!)

That was going to be my point , In addition to being involved the Exiles, his priorities seem to be elsewhere.

That and the fact we have no props at the moment, our backs are playing behind a beaten pack every week.

Talking. A lot

"Talking. A lot"

To be fair to him I've heard he has a problem whereby once he pops he can't apparently stop

Injuries and too much uncertainty with players futures IMO. And the fact we got rid of the best coach of all time, Mr Agar!

Stop fishing

I still think that the speculation about whether or not McRae is needed is pointless, as it's one of the subjects that we fans are most ill-informed about. There are far too many ifs to know whether or not McRae still suits the club, such as whether or not Gentle likes the current structure so that he doesn't have to get bogged down in contract negotiations, or whether Pearson wants enough of a hands on role to make McRae obsolete.

Either way, I don't think McRae is the key influence on our on-field problems, or at least not the way he's gone about it. I think there could be something in the theory that those who are leaving have let their performances slide, but as I have said previously on this board, that's just further evidence that losing them is in our best interests IMO.

Maybe so,but at least he is articulate doing it,not like some I could mention.
I really can`t understand why some people have a down on Bomber,everyone to their own.

I think a lot of this comes down to fans expectations. At the beginning of the season we all seemed to accept it is going to be a year of fact finding and change, top 8 we'd be happy with.

Then we start really well, go top briefly and are always around the top 4. Expectations raised significantly.

We are now back to the level where realistically we should be but it's hard for us sometimes to accept this. Injuries havent helped because I'm sure the likes of Turner would have been on his way weeks ago if we had any cover. If we'd been running around 7/8th all season there wouldn't be the same doom and gloom.

I have seen improvements in our pack this year, we have physically been able to cope with the likes of Leeds for example, which under Agar we couldnt. The lack of class and ultimate difference is in the pivots, still not enough ball handlers and leadership. Again, Leeds away as a perfect example. Salford away ditto. Put Sinfield and Holdsworth in our side, not theirs and we win. Probably next week v rovers (Dobson) same again. This is the big challenge facing AP and PG - they gotta get this right. Personally i'm not convinced Chase is the man for us.

Well said,given the choice I would sooner have Brough back.

I wonder if we manage to pull off the Rangi Chase signing people will be so quick to slag off Bomber.

Don't you realise? If we get Chase it will be down Pearson's investment and vision, and Gentle's eye for players (incidentally, was Gentle at Wests when Chase was?). McRae is entirely responsible for the sh*t ones, and for those alone.

I agree

Thought you might, and you won't be alone.

Actually, I heard mcrae was instrumental in bringing chase to Hull - apparently he talked to him for 3 days solid and rangi gave up and signed the contract

Sleep deprivation, makes you delirious. Thought we hadn't seen McRae on TV for a few days, that must be where he's been.

Wouldn't be surprised if mcrae talks in his sleep