Have to agree, but I dont think Agar is the coach for us to challenge the top 4.



I would give him 4 games at the start of the season, I am not talking about winiing or losing, I would also look at performances and style of rugby. Then if it isnt working make the chance quick before it's too late.

4 Games? That sounds fair. Do we count pre season as well? They'll be loads of good coaches available at that time. Its not like our new players in key positions will need to get used to each other.

Well we definatley should...

i dont have any. So long as the team puts in 100% effort and play some good rugby Im happy.

Been involved in the play offs and seeing the team enter the field with the right mentality and commitment levels on a regular basis is the minimum for me.



That been said, whilst making the play off’s would be an improvement on the past two seasons, just scraping in by finishing 7th or 8th would slightly disappoint me. We should be aiming to bounce back with a vengeance next year, and apart from Leeds I don’t really see any other dominant force. Even though the Giants finished 3rd, they are still a team I regard as one we should be beating twice a season. I don’t mean to disrespect them, but it’s not like it was few years ago when Leeds, Saints, Bradford and Wigan seemed unbeatable to all other teams. If we apply ourselves in the right manner next year, then we should be more than a match for most teams and be capable of finishing 3rd or 4th imo.



Obviously things need to improve dramatically off the field for these improvements to become reality on it. With the signings we have made, the players we have released and issues within the coaching team seemingly resolved, my glass is starting to fill up again. It’s not quite full yet, but I think Agar has made some positive decisions and seems to be making the right noises since the season finished, and this fills me with renewed optimism for the new season.

This "needing time to gel" is a load of rubbish, the players coming in are well paid professionals, it always amazes me how sports fans are expected to tolerate something that no other customer would be expected to.



Nothing short of hard work, professionalism and determination will do for me next season, I'm sick and tired of make do and mend rugby league.

Top 8, I think we will have a much stronger pack but we will still struggle in the final third in my opinion, we have strike players in the backs but im still not sure if we have the pivots capable of using them properly there is unbelievable pressure on Long similar to Dykes a couple of years ago, add that to Agars negative approach in general I still think people will be disappointed.

Totally agree, training sessions should be more than adequate for players to gel and recognise how best to utilise their individual skills

I agree to a certain extent.



This year the aussies are arriving early November which unlike previous years gives them 3 months to get to know their team mates, drills etc. I think that should make a difference.

I expect wolfie to have been adopted by Agar

Of course pre season doesnt count, we usually look quite good in pre season.



I personally think he has had plenty of time to make some kind of impact already and hasnt.



If we leave it too late like this season then it will be too late to recover the season.



4 games is enough IMO.



I would however expect the board to keep him until the end of the season no matter what happens to save a bit of money.



I really hope Agar proves me wrong though.

so if you employed a team of people you'd expect them to be as effective on their first day as they would be in 5 years time?



any groups of people need time to get to know how to get the best out of each other.

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.