Hull Daily Mail

Recruitmen­t, recruitmen­t, recruitmen­t - KR’S big focus

-

Hull KR’S season has ended this week given the club’s positive covid19 results, yet it was already effectivel­y over with the team on the field unable to make a place in the top four or, as it now stands, top six play-off system.

I guess if I was a player or staff member I’d sit, pause and breathe a massive sigh of relief given the crazy season I’d just played a part in.

What would break me is the final game of the season being a rather embarrassi­ng derby loss, a loss to ponder on for a number of months.

I lost a grand final and sulked for months and I’m not sure if that’s worse than a derby loss to mope around on for an extended period of time.

In fact, I’d maybe lean towards the derby loss being worse than a grand final loss to wallow in pity on.

But maybe that’s just a locals mentality, who knows?

2021 now begins, it’s vital the club attack the next year today, right this second with everything from the tea room up to the sale of the club.

Paying most attention on and to the recruitmen­t of players everyone ended is fighting for given it’s an even playing field with no relegation being what would put players off committing to the Red and Whites.

On the field the team must be better, must win more than just three from 17 games. It’s very simple to see that stat alone is the biggest improvemen­t to be seen.

The fans, I’m sure, are and have been a little dishearten­ed but I know East Hull, the community and the love for their club and when 2021 comes they will be on board with what I’d see as a long term plan to improve the whole club and most of all improve the team on the field.

So it’s recruitmen­t, recruitmen­t, recruitmen­t with some tough decisions on any retention of players Tony Smith and his staff weren’t quite convinced on retaining.

Let me assure you all now as England goes into lockdown, Tony Smith, Paul Lakin, and the rugby staff won’t have a minute to catch their breath with chasing targets, retaining others, planning preseason and being ready to improve from 2020.

 ?? SIMON WHITEHEAD/ NEWS IMAGES ?? Ligi Sao (13) and Hull FC will be hoping to reach this year’s Grand Final
SIMON WHITEHEAD/ NEWS IMAGES Ligi Sao (13) and Hull FC will be hoping to reach this year’s Grand Final
 ?? RICHARD SELLERS/PA WIRE ?? Hull KR’S head coach Tony Smith
RICHARD SELLERS/PA WIRE Hull KR’S head coach Tony Smith

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom