Gavin Miller - Legend wrote:At the end of the day his perfomances in 2007 contributed fully to Rovers survival and securing of a franchise.
His loss to Hull has been monumental and seen them elbowed into 2nd place in the City in a remarklaby short space of time.
That will be enough in itself for some Rovers supporters im sure.
2008 was hit and miss confounded by his off the field misdomeaners but i thought he was pretty consistant last year and he proved the difference in 2 Derbie wins.
Not only that it blew away the myth that Rovers could not attract big name players to Craven Park as Hull fans always seemed to state on here that nobody would ever leave a supposedly bigger club for us.
Our want to play at a less modern stadium.
His crossing made it easier to sign Briscoe and Wheeldon im sure.
So when the dust settles and people look back even if his contract isnt renewed at the end of next season it will be remembered as the right signing IMO.
He hasnt played as poorly as some Hull FC fans would like to believe.
His role now means he has had to change some aspects of his game and as said he isnt the main go to man.
At the end of another day, he hasn't been a patch on the player he was at Hull. I personally think you would of survived in 2007 without Paul Cooke. The big name players you have signed have all been players that have not had their contracts renewed elsewere ie. Briscoe, wheeldon even Newton! Nobody has deliberately let their contracts run out so they could leave for Rovers as you seem to be implying.
Let's not forget also that Cooke is a player that can win you challenge cup finals and be instrumental in getting a team to a GF. He will probably leave at the end of 2010, and then what for him? He goes to a wakey or cas or even Celtic! When he looks back on his career in 10 years time he will realize that the grass isn't greener on the other side. He could of been a legend at Hull but was blinded by your chairmans clear goal of just getting one over on FC. Yes he was a massive loss for us, but it wasn't "instrumental" in us taking as many backward steps as we have, that has been down to poor recruitment and retention by P. Sharpe. We have now adressed this and will get back on the wagon I'm sure, as for Cooke? Well, maybe rovers should see what he gave up in switching teams and show some loyalty towards him.