..somewhere between 5th and 7th. A fair reflection of our position in the competition and absolutely miles off the top 2 and Leeds, miles off.

I've posted a few times on it the last week, but my opinion is that Warrington and Wigan's current dominance is a combination of 2 factors:
1) Money Talks. I knew about Moran's wealth, but wasn't aware of Lenegan's until I googled him. Blimey. Sounds like the guy just bought Orrell's old stadium as a training facility on there. Plus he owns Harlequins and a football team.
2) These teams with the 2 richest backers now have top class coaches who are recruiting very well, and playing slick, well-organised rugby. At Wigan, the fitness and professional attitude appears top notch too and they seem to target a minimum of 40 points a game. It doesn't matter to them or Leeds if they have players out, they have a structure, shape and gameplan and play to it. It works.

There have been a few false dawns in the SL, but I wouldn't be surprised if we're not on the cusp of a period of Wigan dominance, particularly given their recruitment for next year and the fact they have excellent attendances.

So in this context, what are our realistic ambitions now as a club? Play-offs and a lucky cup run? Whilst fully recognising the fantastic off the pitch work our club has done to have the most robust and self-sustaining economic model in the comp (thanks in no small part to us customers), I don't get the impression that our board has vision and ambition on the playing front and that they are entirely satisfied with the current "in the pack" position that's not costing them anything. This last bit isn't supposed to sound ungrateful as their cash saved the club and there's no one else wanting to buy it, but I don't get the impression they'll be [udemanding[/u success on the pitch and making the tough calls to get there in the way that Lenegan has done at Wigan.

I don't think we have any real ambitions except making a profit.

We don't need to feel 'grateful' either. They didn't invest in the club out of love for the fans - they did it to make a profit.



Sadly, I think you might be correct.

I think that's a fair assessment Mrs B. I agree that we are looking at a period of serious Wigan dominance. We're a long way off considering ourselves to be a top 4 club. I hope that we're going in the right direction though. We're certainly better this season that we were the last two but it's succession planning that concerns me. We're told the future is bright but there's little to back that up with at the moment.

It would appear that our ambition lies off the field rather than on it.

Cannot argue, the board have no ambitions beyone the balance sheet, and they are happy with that balance sheet because of the fanatic fan base Hull FC enjoy.

Please get a grip.Wigan beat us with an almost full strength team we had 6 of our MAIN PLAYERS OUT do you think Wigan would have won last night without Leului Tominkins etc answer is no.

The salary cap retricts all clubs on their spend so having money does not mean you can but success. The issue for us for the last few seasons has been poor buys and poor coaching. Look how Hudds have come on with a decent coach.

You are right we are currently a mid table team our skill levels are poor. You as a fan have a choice to go or not to go this will make the board react .

For me I still do not think Wigan will win anything major if Leeds get their players back they will be in their and for US if we beat Harliguins and Crusaders then we are back on track .

Show me where anyone - anyone at all - is saying we should have won last night.

I think the reason why there'll be some discussion about Mrs B's post is that some of us are glass half full and some who are glass half empty



Personally, as far as Hull FC goes, I'm a half empty man !

Mines more than half empty

Correct. Last night was a damage limitation exercise. I said to my mate before the game we would do well to stay within 20 points of Wigan. Unfortunately, that limitation exercise was limited in it's efficacy !!!

Hard to disagree with any of that. As I said last night there are 2 teams way out and above the rest on the field. Off the field from a license perspective we are self sustaining and that should be applauded. To match them on the field would require a seed change in the way we operate the team. More than anything we need this next crop of youngsters to shine. That's the biggest test of all for the coaches IMO - fail to bring 3 or 4 of these through to top level and we'll be struggling to get anywhere near.