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| The Dentists Diary - 156th |
The post match discussion last Friday, back at the Drum and Monkey, centred mostly on another frustrating performance at the KC!! During the deliberations, which featured the consumption of copious amounts of their excellent John Smiths bitter, some wag piped up and said, “Well at least we got two points”. That got a swift retort from the landlord Jeremy who made a very good point when he indicated that the thing is, when there is no relegation and we know that we ain’t gonna get anywhere near Old Trafford, it should all be about entertainment, performance and constant improvement. He had a point, because, for me, all these were sadly lacking again on Friday night!
There has to be a massive ‘well done’ to the 11,200 plus gate that attended. With that appallingly small amount of travelling support in the North Stand, it is just amazing how the Faithful are sticking by the team, and I only hope that the players come and see us when we are badly!!! Well done to James Rule too, for ringing up KCFM to thank the fans that attended, after the flack he has received of late, he didn’t have to do that! Perhaps instead of giving free flags away, in the future P&O should be awarding everyone who attends home games with a medal.
As for the game, well it was a little better at times, but certainly not a lot. But, the team spirit was back, and at times we tried to get a bit of ‘Fizz’ into the passing, although our approach work and timing close to their line was woeful. It was a win that will, for this week at least, paper over some of the cracks, but as I had walked to the Stadium expecting the worst, I would have settled for a win of any type, so a win was a win.
As for Salford well they were under the cosh for long periods, but defended well, although once again we were predictable and ponderous in our attacking structure. However when they got the ball they looked a lot slicker and seemed to have more ideas that us. That kick from Myler for their first try just showed what all the fuss he is generating, is all about!! However for this fan, it was another poor show!
In this weeks Diary, the last for a couple of weeks, I will look at that game, at letting the ball bounce and the performances of the team as I saw it. Then there is Bentham, the linesman and the Chelsea pensioners, (sounds like a potential porn film that), Then sun in our eyes, and Rich Whiting! Plus there’s a look at potential targets, Cusack signs on, which props will go, hookers a plenty, an Independent Supporters club, the Foundation up for an award and a take over at KCFM. Whilst in Codgers Corner we look back to the days when we had a great coach, a great captain and a great scrum half.
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| The Dentists Diary - 155th |
“…And a big welcome to all the Hull supporters on this balmy evening”, said the on field announcer, but on Saturday night, once again, it was not the so much the evening, but more the 2000 or so FC Faithful that made the trip that were ‘Barmy’. Back home on Sky, whilst we were bathed in sunshine and frustration at Wakey, Barrie McDermott was saying, " Hull are just so easy to defend against”.
This week, always eager to improve myself, I learnt a new word, Koroshi, in Japanese it means death by over working. It’s something that kills hundreds in Japan, but at last it seems we have found a complaint that our medical staff at the club will not have to worry about!!
What a poor performance that was in the first of two games that some of the players had cited as being part of a season defining week! Well for this supporter it is now defined, we ain’t going anywhere. I’ll be there next week, most of you reading this will be there next week, because that’s what we do, support our team. Yet who can blame those who are changing their financial prioritise? Again this week, I looked round at all those families and avid FC fanatics that made the trek to Wakey, saw the lack of effort from many of our players, and thought, “You lot really do not deserve fans like this!” And you know, they simply just don’t!!
The most worrying thing is that much as I hate to criticise our coach, he has to take some responsibility, because some of what went on has to fall at his door! There is a general malaise across the team, which manifests itself in the fact that it appears to us, the fans, that many of our players just “Can’t be A*sed”, because we know from what they have done in the past that they have the ability. It is not, in many cases, a lack of that which is the problem, but more a total lack of discipline, passion and spirit coupled with a general lack of pride in the shirt. That is all about motivation, preparation and mind set and we are lacking in all these departments!
I have, of course, seen a lot worse and in the end it is not the current efforts on the field that worry me that much. It is more to do with the sacrifices some folks are making to get to these games, and the lack of reward they get from the players on the field. That is what really rankles with me!!!
In this weeks diary we will look at that awful showing at player performances and just who is really to blame for the situation we find ourselves in. Then there is Calderwood’s injury, The Quins and Skolars bending the rules, Craig Hall, Injuries, the Foundations rugby gala, free tickets, Aussies who like beer, Brian Smith, Mike Burnett’s knees, Wakeys Carbon foot print and trips round the bay!! Plus in Codgers Corner another obit this time to my all time hero!!
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| Sean Long - A view from Merseyside. |
 Ski - Owner of www.theentertainers.tv (St Helens Subsite) has kindly put his thoughts of the capture of Hull's new signing Sean Long
Blow me. Sean Long won’t be at Saints next season. You have to understand for me this is very hard to take. In an article on The Entertainers, I likened the thought of seeing him in Black and White hoops to walking in and finding your missus being nailed by the Hamburgler. BUT, it is going to happen (Longy leaving, not my missus getting nailed by a fictional character).
**Click "Read More" for More**
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| The Dentists Diary - 154th |
Once again I sit here at the computer reflecting on a display that, despite showing a deal of heart and passion, was glaringly lacking in so many ways. It was better but not a lot really!!
The visit of the Saints is always a tough ask although we have, at times since our move to the KC, shown up well against them. However although we hung in there in the first half, we again shipped a very late try and quite frankly, although we were going flat out, the opposition looked like it had a couple more gears that it could engage if it needed to. On the positive side we showed some passion and a deal of effort but we are simply just not good enough. With just two pivots we were predictable and ineffective close to their line, whilst once again our side looked unbalanced, and at times in total disarray on the 4th and 5th tackle plays.
The coaching side of things continues to baffle me too. The use of the sub’s bench is just unfathomable, and although I know that troops are in short supply at present, why not play Sam Moa again. He could have done no worse, and would at least have given a bit of grunt to an attack that again struggled at times to get out of our own half! He was a bit special in the reserves again!
Special mention must go to Chris Thorman who for me really did prove a point on Friday night. He was quite rightly under pressure throughout the week, but displayed great character and not a deal of guts and determination, in a display that showed that he could be quite creative and a reasonable kicker too!
But once again it was poor fare and that after a week that included a couple of good signings and a bit of positivity, for a while at least!
After 154 editions of these ramblings I think this is the first time I have ever had to report on two signings from outside the club in the same week. Add to that a player going out on loan and a drubbing by the best team in the League and for this fan at least, it has been another week of ups and downs at the KC!!!
In this weeks Diary which reflects another week packed with incident we will look at that game, at player performances, Clare Balding, on the Reserves and the Academy and Richard Whiting! Then there is more fun in Australia, our next signing, future targets, RU players and the use of our bench players. Plus, I will have a look at Craig Hall, the Welsh experiment going sour, Motu Tony, Bradford’s new Stadium, and there is Jordan Tandey, Sean Long and Gordon Brown’ knowing how to pick em’ plus lots, lots more.
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| The Dentists Diary - 153rd |
What a titanic struggle we all witnessed on Saturday evening even I have to say that the contest had everything; passion, bad luck, quality performances and a surprising outcome at the end!! The proceedings were packed with incident, and even a pre determined winner that in the end came in second! There is no doubt that I will miss ‘Britains got Talent’!!!!
During the second World war our country, in an effort to save resources like petrol and diesel, adopted the slogan, “Is your journey really necessary?” and that sprang to mind as I made my way to Headingley last Tuesday expecting, I have to say, the outcome that we eventually got!!
However in retrospect, for this fan at least, it was necessary, because as I looked round the reasonably good turnout of fans I saw the usual suspects and realised that we are now down to the die hards, who like me “Go anyway”. The fact that many actually stayed and clapped the players at the end, showed just how loyal the FC Faithful are at times like this, because quite frankly it was a poor display from some of our team.
Things seem to go from bad to worse, and although I agreed with most things that Richard Agar said after the game, I have to take exception myself to our coach’s performance too! The use of the bench, our tactics and the general demeanour of some of the players smacks to me of the fact that these days all is not well in the dug out either. But more of that later.
The one thing that struck me as I trudged away from the game and back to the car was the fact that I seriously wonder whether the club deserves us lot!! At times the atmosphere on the terraces was good, in that the fans that are left travelling away have seen it all before, and on Tuesday often seemed to enjoy baiting the Leeds fans, and laughing at periods of our play, as much as they did the game itself. But that’s probably how we get through it these days!
Personally though I have never been more upset than I was at half time. The fact is that as the Leeds player was getting up to play the ball on the fifth tackle, I looked at the clock and there were with just 3 seconds to go. We were trailing by 16-10 and despite everything that had gone before, we were in with a chance. Then Ablett ‘walked in’, after the hooter, and all of a sudden we needed three scores to take the lead, and the game was gone!!!
But it wasn’t the late try that really got to me, but more the fact that our scrum half, obviously low in confidence, had flapped at Ablett, and in effect waived him through to the line. He just did not try to stop him, because for me if he was trying, he would have gone for his legs rather than swatting at his arm. That same player had also be responsible for missing tackles in the lead up to both the first two Leeds tries as well, and when I looked at the body language of our other players as they left the field, I knew they felt just the same as me! I hate it when for whatever reasons, anyone is not, or at least appears not, to be trying!!
In this weeks bumper diary we look at the worsening situation at our club, at that game at Leeds and player performances. Then there is an outbreak of swine flu at Caravan Park, Clive Sullivan, Brent Kite, Matt Orford and more revelations of the wrong kind from down under! Plus there’s an obituary to Bob Coverdale, James Smailes, running the hills on Beverley Westwood, a new shirt for Horney, Rovers players singing from the same hymn sheet, and much, much more!
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| The Dentists Diary - 152nd |
Well done to the Tigers, its great news for the City of Hull and in the end it does not matter how you stay up as long as you do!!! You all know how I like to see both of the cities professional clubs doing well! Perhaps some of the Tigers luck will rub off on us, oh hang a minute though, hasn’t Hame Lauaki just put his arm through a window!!!!
In this week’s Diary, without a game to report, there’s a chance to look at some of the action going on at our club away from the continuing catalogue of problems on the field of play. These include a few things that really disappointed me about the club I love and the supporters that follow it. I guess it’s really how I feel personally about the behaviour of one or two of our fans, and about the way that their unsportsman like behaviour, actions and frustrations are actually starting to effect some of the players.
It’s a funny and somewhat disappointing time for FC fans really, with no cup games to take part in, Leeds and Saints coming up next and long gaps between matches. A situation that is emphasised by the fact that some fans seem to be voting with their feet. Others however, seem to be resorting to less conventional methods to show their disappointment at our current plight. For me for several reasons, as I said last week, we can almost write off this season, and it is only the levelling off of the ‘playing field’ that is the Super League these days, that is keeping us in touch and in the top eight. I mean we went up a place yesterday without even playing a game.
I looked at the number of injuries we had at the mid point of last season and to the accompaniment of much wringing of hands and shroud waiving about the worst injury crisis in the clubs history, we had 9. This last week, although a few are on the way back, we did in effect have 11 players out and of those three are pretty long term (months rather than weeks) and one has already had his contract terminated.
Add to that the fact that Lauaki is still stuck in Australia and has now severed a tendon in his arm, and Crocker is not coming at all and I guess that our current demise is to be expected. But it’s not that is it? It’s all more to do with the style of rugby and lack of ideas we are currently displaying! That’s what is really cheesing off a lot of the fans, Oh and the Dobbins seem to be doing OK as well!
In this week’s Diary we will look at the attitude and actions of some of our so called fans, at the latest Lauaki set back, At Tom Briscoe, injuries, Brothels and attendance’s. Then there is why some players don’t like playing at the KC, Shadow boxing in Aus, some rumours of signings both here and down under and Clint Newton getting his foot stuck in his mouth! Plus there is Michael Crocker, feeder clubs, anti tampering embargoes and in Codgers Corner a look back at Cougarmania!
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| The Dentists Diary - 151st |
That was a really disappointing end to our TWO MATCH winning streak wasn’t it! Without doubt we had our weakest team of the season on show, but Warrington were there for the taking, until bruising props and a wily old half back made us pay for a lack of ideas and energy!
In a depressingly predictable outcome, we were out coached, out played and eventually out fought, by a Warrington side that changed their tactics at half time and who had in Briers the sort of scrum half we crave so much. We started brightly, held our own and were then eventually washed away by a wave of aggressive Warrington forward play, that left us all scratching our heads and wondering where do we go from here. You cannot fault our effort or our willingness to play for each other, but in that second half our kicking game was totally inept, our play one dimensional and our energy draining away by the minute. Yet it all started so well, when, with a severely weakened team we played a different more expansive game from the off, caught 12 man Warrington cold, and scored two great tries. But that was it, and by half time although you hoped we had enough points in the bag and could perhaps kick on, you could almost imagine Tony Smith plotting our downfall under the West Stand!
Good coaches change their game plans mid match to counteract the opposition’s strengths and play to their own. Good players can execute those plans to the letter and win games. We had neither and Warrington had both!
It’s hard to see where we go now really, with mounting injuries, (Yeamo, Washy and Cusack to be added to the list I believe) low confidence and poor options, it will be a long hard season. As for the fans, well they will, as the attendance indicated, be voting with their feet, and who, in this financial climate can blame them! I see nothing but another long hard season ahead, with the entire spotlight on East Hull and all the excuses and heartbreak in the West. Hard to swallow I know but nailed on for me!
In this week’s no holes barred Diary I will look at that game, at a tactic that I think would have won it for us, at our player performances and at the verdict of one true fan who has just had enough! There is Richard Whiting, our new signing from Aus. perhaps some more to follow, and Wakey about to let players go! Plus there is injuries, next season, Dick Tingle, our new media manager and in Codgers Corner a loose Forward who promised a lot but just in the end fell a bit short!!!!
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| Minutes from recent meeting with John Cooper |
 Minutes from 29/04/2009 - CONSULTATION WITH JOHN COOPER
Attendees - Pete Allen, Karen Wark, Chris Johnson, Lisa Jewitt, Steph
Miller, Jed Rust, Diana Elm
Apologies - Richard Kirk, Paul Johnson, Neil Ager
**Click Read more for the rest of the minutes**
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| 150th Dentists Diary !!!!!!!!!! |
Welcome to the 150th edition of the Dentists Diary, in a week when although we didn’t have a game, there was no shortage of controversy and there was chance to reflect on probably the greatest FC player we never had!
The news that broke about Michael Crocker on Wednesday, was disappointing, but expected, because he is one of the greatest forwards in the world, but it was, if we are honest, what we all knew would happen. Let’s face it we knew his visa would be refused, but I guess we could hope, and we did incessantly. I for one will find it strange not getting up at 6-00am every morning, to look at the Aussie press sites.
However we have to move on, but we do that with a top class player adrift, and a squad place empty, and we simply should not have to go through the rest of this season one player short. For me, Michael’s demise is a mixed blessing, he would have been a great player and leader both on and off the field, and I am bitterly disappointed, but do we really need any more second row forwards? We all know what we need, and I cannot believe that the Coach and Directors don’t know as well. First and foremost we need a number 7, who is a leader and a playmaker. They are hard to come by, and some would say impossible to find, but we may just have to waive a transfer fee at a club and see what comes out! Oh, and whilst we are at it, we could do with a centre as well!!! Ryan Atkins anyone?
But, it’s just another set back in a catalogue of them, and more anguish for the fans, some of whom are already doing what they do best, and looking for someone to blame. However on this occasion I honestly believe the club did what they could, but the lunacies, and inconsistancies of the immigration system have failed us!!
In this week’s 150th Edition we will look at the loss of Michael Crocker, at the current state of our squad and at just how much we have progressed since edition 1 of the Diary! Then there is Radio Humberside the ban is back, The reserves game last Friday, two referee’s, Training at the Boulevard, new signings, what I want to see our board do now, and an accident at the KC. Plus a bit about the Dobbins attendance’s, Lauaki’s visa, Clint Newton, Ryan Atkins and Salford’s new home.
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| The Dentists Diary - 149th |
Hi all to the fans of the Dentists Diary... As site admin i wish to apologise for the inconvenience of the website been down and hopefully it will not re-occur, here is the diary that was posted also on RLFANS.COM on Monday. Sorry for any inconvenience, Joe - Admin
It’s not right yet, it’s a bit boring to say the least, and we won again!
The more you keep winning the better you get, and although the first half was shocking at times, the last 20 minutes yesterday saw us out enthuse the Tigers and show more energy and determination than the opposition. True, we got the breaks, but who cares, plenty go against us! It was certainly not good, particularly the lack of ball retention in the first half, but again, as at Salford we stuck at it and it’s another two points. That will do for me! When you watch it back again in the cold light of day our passing and movement was crisper, and there was a deal of belief in the guys that even when we were behind we could hit back and win.
Those of you readers who have stuck with this drivel through almost a century and a half of editions of the Diary will know that I just don’t agree with these ‘Magic’ events. I still feel that they are purely a media circus, which doesn’t have any real ‘missionary’ worth and which, in the end, just rip off the fans, who are already expected to travel to London, Wales and France to support their teams. Therefore yesterday, I stayed at home, ‘rode the red button’ and watched the game on Sky.
After the high drama, board bashing, banner waiving and sack everyone in sight, shinanikins of last week, its been a very quiet 7 days at Hull FC. There has no doubt been a deal of ‘Licking of Wounds’ at the club, and the fact that Humberside has been banned again for amongst other things their comments on domestic abuse, has left us a bit short of news, if not short of hot air from their sports editor!
In this weeks Diary we look at that game, Mike Burnett, Richard Whiting, Rob Chadwick, DDD and a new player coming in on trial. Then there’s sheep shearers, village cricketers, Willie Manu, visa’s, Crocker and the poor gates at Caravan Park. Plus there is Tommy Lee, Danny Houghton, injuries, a potential signing, a chat I had with James Rule, and in Codgers Corner the first Judas raises his duck like head!
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| The Dentists Diary - 148th |
Well we got two points; things were better, marginally, and for this supporter at least I would have taken that result before I set off for Salford.
It was certainly not pretty, many of the problems remain, and most other teams would have beaten us, but we desperately needed two points and we got them! We will certainly have to improve before we go to Edinburgh next week, but there were a few positives, Horney at Full back, Tommy Lee, Calderwood and our completion rate in the second half being amongst them. I was in Leeds till late on Saturday afternoon and would usually have come home to watch on the TV, but I felt that after the week we had experienced I should go and try and get behind the team, and I was glad I did!
You don’t have to like what I have to say this week, or even read it, but this supporter feels betrayed, a bit by the club, a little by a few of our supporters, and a lot by some of the local media. That is just how it feels for me personally. If you have read some of the message boards this week you will probably not be reading this anyway, simply because, by now, you will have probably committed ‘Harri Carri’.
I am not saying everything is rosy, or that we have not once again made a monumental mess of things off the field and on it, but I have seen a lot worse in the past and will no doubt see a lot worse in the future. Unless of course the ‘Sack the Board’ brigade gets their way, then we won’t have a club to worry about anyway and perhaps some folks will then be happy! So please let’s try to be constructive with our criticism and not call for everyone to be sacked without thinking about the ramifications of that action.
In this weeks Diary we will look at the Salford game, at player performances (and none performances) and at the attitude of some of the fans and the media to our current demise. There will be a bit about Mr Calderwood who seems to have gone from zero to (almost) hero with some fans in just three weeks, The academy, and reserves, Pickering School, James Rule, Stuart Reardon and in Codgers Corner a look at an exile from RU that became a real fans favourite back in the days when you could go out and buy a team!
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Team |
Pts |
+/- |
| 1 |
St. Helens |
30 |
275 |
| 2 |
Leeds |
26 |
197 |
| 3 |
Hull KR |
23 |
81 |
| 4 |
Huddersfield |
22 |
130 |
| 5 |
Harlequins |
20 |
84 |
| 6 |
Wakefield |
20 |
20 |
| 7 |
Warrington |
18 |
-34 |
| 8 |
Wigan |
16 |
55 |
| 9 |
Hull FC |
16 |
-65 |
| 10 |
Castleford |
16 |
-71 |
| 11 |
Catalans |
14 |
-76 |
| 12 |
Bradford |
13 |
-88 |
| 13 |
Salford |
10 |
-207 |
| 14 |
Celtic |
4 |
-301 |
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