Re: Realistic targets for 2025 : Mon Sep 16, 2024 7:24 am  

The Dentist Wilf wrote:

answer to the title is simple for me; Survival with our super league position intact! Perhaps some wanting amongst the group some passion for the cause and some accountability from the players towards the fans.All of which would be completely new innovations after this season.

Disappointed with the shortness of this post DW.

Re: Realistic targets for 2025 : Mon Sep 16, 2024 7:27 am  

I would like to see improvements in fitness, attitude, discipline on a week by week basis. I'm hoping we see a big step change in work ethic and organization. I'm hoping that when each weekend game comes around the players look as if they have been working during the week to improve their game both collectively and individually. Rather than, as has been the case this year, looking as if they have never met each other before and have no idea what the objective of rugby is!

In short, whether we win or lose, I want to see us being a competitive side once more. Stop these towel-throwing hammerings which have become the norm over recent years (this year especially). At least do themselves justice.

I do think our recruitment for next year has been largely dictated by our situation, attracting decent quality to the club was probably very difficult in recent months. Anyone half-decent and in their prime years will most likely be looking for some signs that, as a club, we have turned the corner before committing themselves to us. As such, we've had no choice but to sign up 'experienced' players and some with scratchy injury records. But if Cartwright can instil a far better work ethic through the squad then we should hopefully start to see some improvements on the first steps back on what is likely to take some time to redress the many errors committed in the club's name since 2016/17.

If we can win 9 games next year (1 win 3 basically) then I would view that as a decent par given where we are at right now. Anything above that, admittedly slightly low threshold, would be positive. Anything below will constitute another year's hard viewing. We clearly are not going to bound into the top three in one solitary leap, and I think we need to be realistic about what the next couple of years may hold for us. And I think most fans are aware it's a long road back and we are going to have to be patient, yet again!!

Re: Realistic targets for 2025 : Mon Sep 16, 2024 7:32 am  

On top of everything already said so far, would really like to see continued improvement from some of the promising youngsters we've seen this year, and hopefully a couple more to debut next year and show the same type of enthusiasm and potential.
It's about time some of this potential was turned into genuine quality SL players, and I do believe in this current group we have certainly 2 or 3 that could hold down starting positions for the next decade if they work hard and continue to improve; Martin, Balmforth, Staveley certainly. And then Barron, Moy, Charles not far behind.

Re: Realistic targets for 2025 : Mon Sep 16, 2024 7:39 am  

BP1 wrote:

I would like to see improvements in fitness, attitude, discipline on a week by week basis. I'm hoping we see a big step change in work ethic and organization. I'm hoping that when each weekend game comes around the players look as if they have been working during the week to improve their game both collectively and individually. Rather than, as has been the case this year, looking as if they have never met each other before and have no idea what the objective of rugby is!

In short, whether we win or lose, I want to see us being a competitive side once more. Stop these towel-throwing hammerings which have become the norm over recent years (this year especially). At least do themselves justice.

I do think our recruitment for next year has been largely dictated by our situation, attracting decent quality to the club was probably very difficult in recent months. Anyone half-decent and in their prime years will most likely be looking for some signs that, as a club, we have turned the corner before committing themselves to us. As such, we've had no choice but to sign up 'experienced' players and some with scratchy injury records. But if Cartwright can instil a far better work ethic through the squad then we should hopefully start to see some improvements on the first steps back on what is likely to take some time to redress the many errors committed in the club's name since 2016/17.

If we can win 9 games next year (1 win 3 basically) then I would view that as a decent par given where we are at right now. Anything above that, admittedly slightly low threshold, would be positive. Anything below will constitute another year's hard viewing. We clearly are not going to bound into the top three in one solitary leap, and I think we need to be realistic about what the next couple of years may hold for us. And I think most fans are aware it's a long road back and we are going to have to be patient, yet again!!

That's the thing, don't mind losing, there has been a few games this year that I enjoyed despite us getting beat (Leeds H, Warrington H and Salford A, spring to mind)

Re: Realistic targets for 2025 : Mon Sep 16, 2024 7:49 am  

I just want to see a team that is competitive, fit and motivated, this will be determined by the success of preseason.
That should be a given, if Cartwright is given the necessary support and resources.
As for the youngsters, I hope they receive more specialist strength training & continue to improve.

Re: Realistic targets for 2025 : Mon Sep 16, 2024 8:41 am  

Is it just me or is this post too soon ?
How long will it take for fans to get over 2024 before they even begin to think of
2025 ?
I’ve been a Cleveland Browns fan since 1989 and we barely even think about ‘next season’.
The Draft is our Super Bowl !
Well it was until we hired Deshawn Watson and gave 3 first round draft picks away for him.
Only in Cleveland - that may soon become
Only in Hull

Re: Realistic targets for 2025 : Mon Sep 16, 2024 8:45 am  

Tarquin Fuego wrote:

Is it just me or is this post too soon ?
How long will it take for fans to get over 2024 before they even begin to think of
2025 ?
I’ve been a Cleveland Browns fan since 1989 and we barely even think about ‘next season’.
The Draft is our Super Bowl !
Well it was until we hired Deshawn Watson and gave 3 first round draft picks away for him.
Only in Cleveland - that may soon become
Only in Hull

Judging my the amount of people posting it's just you.

Re: Realistic targets for 2025 : Mon Sep 16, 2024 8:55 am  

sorting fitness, attitude and defence are the basics which should be achievable. The club also need to get ruthless with any who don't toe the line. It's the only way we'll improve relatively quickly. How can a group of player who outscored salford away in terms of tries scored then roll over at home against them?

I've heard some stories about a drinking culture at the club this season with some of the new recruits being major protagonists - they've pretty much gone now so hopefully less of an issue. But we need a culture where players want to be the best they can and we haven't had that for some time.

Attitude and culture go a long way in this game where margins are slim between good and bad. I don't expect` us to be great but if we don't see major improvements in the basics we'll slip into the abyss as fans have had enough

Re: Realistic targets for 2025 : Mon Sep 16, 2024 9:50 am  

Not going to make any position targets because right now I can only see me setting myself up for disappointment.

For me, I want to see us getting our fitness and conditioning sorted. We have not looked right since game one this season and it's just gotten worse for the most part. In Cartwright we seem to have gotten a coach that really wants to put emphasis on this area and it sounds like we are getting a backroom team in place that will aid him. Should also get the injury list down too.

I want to see an improvement in attitude/culture/whatever you want to call it. It won't matter how fit or conditioned the team is if they don't have the right mentality. You can tell most games within the first minute or so if Hull have some fight in them and the answer is that they don't. Let's get competing again and make sure our opponents know they're in for a game whenever they play against us. Whilst I am not exactly excited about our signings for next year, I do believe that they will bring a sense of professionalism to the club that has been lacking for some time and that should translate to better performances on the pitch. I just want to know that win or lose, we gave it our all every game instead of folding like a pack of cards in most games.

Finally, keep giving the youngsters opportunities but balancing that out better than this year where they have been flogged to death. I am incredibly proud of the likes of Moy, Martin, Charles etc this year but they need taking out of the firing line and protecting to aid their development.

Re: Realistic targets for 2025 : Mon Sep 16, 2024 10:57 am  

Improving to 8th-10th but I'm going to say this for about the 10th year in a row...winning games in August and September.

Had we started this season badly but then won a game or two the last few weeks we'd still be down but there would be a feeling things are getting better. Instead every year without fail we fall apart over the summer.

The next thing is the squad management, I'd hope we've seen the end of paying off players early and are instead evolving the squad at the end of contracts like sensible clubs do.

The other thing that can cheer us up is a cup run, even a day out at a Semi would feel like the promised land right now.