I never had a problem with Cooke actually going to Rovers. It was well known that they were his childhood club and no one can begrudge a player wanting to play for the club that they used to support. He could have put in a transfer request and explained his reasons and I think after the service he had given Hull, most would have accepted his decision.

His approach to Rovers was rightly punished, however if he hadn't signed the Hull contract, he should never have accepted his pay from Hull for that period and that was also wrong.

All I am saying, if he does come back to Hull (and how likely and ironic would that be in the week leading up to this weeks Derby), then he has a chance to make a gesture to correct some of his past actions.

Apologies if I've unfairly over generalised Schofield's previous comments about Hull.

I was just using him as an example of another ex-player who became unpopular following his departure, but because if his comments as opposed to Cookes actions, hadn't impacted the club financially.

I'd be happy with Cooke as an assistant...but not to Radford, he should be shown the door and not be given any position at the club, not even as a water carrier.
He's done untold damage to the club already through his selfish personal ambition and inability to accept his own limitations, to keep him on in any capacity would just add insult to injury.
As much as our great start was good the last two games (despite the win last night) show we really aren't going to do anything under Radford's stewardship.
The sooner Pearson realoses this the better.

Win against rovers and then we have wires at home .If we could squeeze out 2 wins then it may just turn our season round. Still on the fence regards radders but for me 2 big games coming up

I think we'll beat Rovers (although no guarantee) and with last night's result it will keep him safe for a further month.

Next up sees us play Warrington, Saints (a), Hudds, and Leeds (a). All very tough games and if all lost will probably force Pearson to call time on Radford. Otherwise, I can see his tenure plodding on throughout the season.

We should only make a change if we have an experienced coach lined up. We should be able to attract a better coach than Radford to the club. However, it wouldn't surprise me though if we started next season with McNamara in charge with Radford working as his No 2. If so, I'd be underwhelmed on both counts.

Was about to comment, then changed my mind

I honestly believe we would be better without Radford even if we had no coach to come straight in.
However Pearson himself cannot even accept his own failings never mind that of the coach so i doubt his judgement.
That Pearson thought employing an unsuitable, unqualified, unskilled, talentless no-mark was going to be good for the club I'll never know.
A win against a shambolic KR won't change my mind a jot. I outlined what should be our target and I just cannot see that happening despite the quality of the squad.

Not going to predict the outcome of the Rovers game as derbies are always unpredictable in my opinion.

Warrington on Easter Monday will be very tough as they have started strongly so we'll need to be at our very best for that one.

If we can come away from Easter with two points I'll be happy. Four points and I'll be ecstatic!

I normally share my views on Radford with you.

Unsuitable, unqualified I'll give you but unskilled talentless no mark is a bit harsh.

I sort of agree, but I still think there's a bigger picture to consider which is what Pearson's appetite/ambition is for the club after this season. Five years down the track and we're in roughly the same position as we were when he took over with Agar in charge and an underperforming side in the 6-9 bracket. Loads of cash wasted and potentially limited appetite to keep squad investment levels at this level with gates sub 10k. If he's a bit jaded with it all, thinking he'll not only keep Radford but add the incremental cost of McNamara might be stretching it.

Although I don't think he's always got it right I do think AP has put plenty of investment into the club in a bid to try and improve our position and crowd numbers. This year it was clearly about investing in the squad.

I may be mistaken but I also believe Pearson said before the season started that he's aware that the main way to get fans back through the gates is to win matches. I reckon he'll be keeping a close eye on the crowd numbers and if we continue our inconsistent form he'll call time on Radford in a bid to get more people back through the gates.

AP will have to decide in the near future regarding who's going to be the coach next year. I presume squad planning will already be under way, and who is the coach is integral to that.
I just think a change needs to be made. Whether that is the head coach or a new assistant, new impetus is needed.
Winning the odd derby and sneaking into the top eight is not good enough.
I suspect it won't be good enough for AP either.

Yes it will be interesting to see how Pearson views his time at the end of the season.

Obviously the season has to still run its course and hopefully we'll improve to justify his current strategy of Radford leading a Hull based strategy. An indifferent mid table or lower finish, may result into him considering his options.

Overall, I have always liked Pearson and admire his investment and backing of Hull. I think his Coaching decisions have restricted his ambition. I think he has always appointed upon his best instincts at the time and also supported his coaches despite fan opposition. In his defence, I'm sure he'd cite McDerrmott, Wane, Cunningham and Paul Anderson as former players turned coaches who have been successful. However,, I think not recruiting an experienced coach has been his biggest limiting factor. At some point this year he needs to address this and then he should see a better return on and off the pitch that his investment deserves.

I can see him move for McNamara on the belief he is more experienced, but retain Radford citing perhaps it was too early. I doubt Radford is on a high salary compared with other coaches, so may be accommodated still as a No 2. As I said, this is not a combination I would welcome, but can imagine that it is something that we could end up with, as opposed to going for a clean start with an experienced coach.

Yes!
Rule was a t0sser.

Paul Clarke's just tweeted : Check out the Hull Daily Mail tomorrow for some #hullfc internal recruitment news
Radford new deal a timely derby boost?

League Weekly says "New deal for Hull ace". Not sure who that is.

No doubt Friday's emphatic win against Wakefield and today's further climb to 5th will fully justify the 10 year extension to Radford's contract.



I hope at this stage of the season that it is not a contract extension, it's not like he's about to be headhunted by another club, so we can wait and see how the season unfolds.

Presumably, a change/addition to the coaching team......

Clarke's not referencing Radford anyway.

Ellis?

Radford

Curtis Naughton?

Yes - a new two year deal taking him to the end of 2018.

I'm a bit surprised to be honest, I thought he would have looked to move due to lack of opportunities, but shows there is a good atmosphere at the club and he is happy despite this (maybe DR and reserves help).

I think people forget he is still a young kid and only just turned 21, not the finished article but plenty of potential, looked a bit rusty on Friday, hopefully he will get another chance this weekend.

Hello Patton, nice to see you leaving Bumpy alone.

Pleased to see Naughton committing to the club .