Regarding Bradford and the 'thesis'

, the thesis is applicable to clubs that can afford to be at full cap isn't it, as we're talking about getting the most value from it in order to compete for trophies. Bradford I'm assuming haven't been at full cap for a while now and have undergone a series of financial problems recently, therefore keeping hold of these players was always going to be tough and it earnt them a bit of much needed money too.

I'd [iguess[/i that both Hull squads are at, or very close to, full cap for 2015. The same as Wigan, Saints, Leeds, etc, but what sets them apart is for our two is that they have better squads for around about the same money spent, built on the back of youth investment and carefully picked signings to plug the gaps.

I find this whole our youths are better than yours thing very tedious, Like this whole we've been in more finals than you (the wording is due to the fact they fall at the final hurdle),
The truth of the matter is you can keep pointing to the numbers of youths that have broken into the first team, but what does it mean? will it guarantee success on the pitch? No.
Anyone can promote as many local kids as they want it proves nothing, to make a difference they need to be in the top 20% across the whole of Super League ability wise, it comes down to a big fish in a small barrel (your own team) or are they a small fish in a big barrel (Super League) the fact is that over the last 10yrs with 1 or 2 notable exceptions, you have to ask yourself have either us or FC produced anyone that would have Leeds Saints Warrington or Wigan banging the door down, It has to be about quality not numbers.

I guess you haven't read Adam Pearsons statement.

ADAM Pearson admits fans must come back to the KC Stadium in =#FF0000big numbers – or Hull FC will find it increasingly difficult to compete at the top of Super League.

The decreasing number of fans at the Black and Whites in recent years is making it almost impossible for Pearson to justify his current investment levels in the team.

With last season's average gate of 9,662 over 4,000 down on four years ago, current pass sale levels suggest another significant drop is on the cards ahead of the new-look Super League structure coming in.

There is no future for the club as a genuine trophy contender on those type of gates.

"The club is getting smaller, we are all worried about the dwindling gates and the financial viability to keep the KC viable and open.

"We have one of the biggest wage bills in Super League, but that's not sustainable on these gates.

"Lapsed and current pass holders need to decide that either they will come and support the club or settle for the club shrinking if they don't.

"The club needs all those people saying we aren't renewing to think again and back their club, because if they stop now then the future really is bleak.

The decreasing number of fans at the Black and Whites in recent years is making it almost impossible for Pearson to justify his current investment levels in the team.

My point about Bradford was more that there's more to think about than just this one issue, so I don't think such an intense focus is justified. There was also an implied point that some Hull FC fans tend to focus on Rovers' failings that they perceive at the time to be in contrast to their own club's success. During what Hull fans now regard as a period of underinvestment at their club, it was profitability. So yeah, we tune it out a bit. One day they'll be right about something, in a stopped clock stylee.

Spending to the cap, is not necessarily the same as spending the same as Leeds and Wigan. What sets the richest clubs apart is money, much more so than strategy. One of the several failings of licensing was its one size fits all prescription for success. Different clubs take different approaches because they're different. Rovers would benefit from producing more homegrown players, but by itself it's certainly not a silver bullet.

IMO - In most team sports, (with youth structures in place) the best way to succeed is to play the same way through every age group and promote groups of players at a similar time (clearly they need to be of the requisite ability)
You get this right, and (can hang onto them) then it forms a bedrock, and IMO provides additional loyalty, team spirit etc.

I read that Chris Chester is wanting each age group to play to the same systems so hopefully this will be the start of our progression in producing our own talent.

It's the only way I reckon, not sure if FC do it or not in truth.

After last season, I'd hope not



I agree with you though, it certainly should be an important part of the youth policy. The seemless way the Wigan yougsters step up into the first team is a credit to their coaches and structures.

Regardless of who plays next year we both could have bum squeak times if we don't turn up on match days