: Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:47 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

You have to appreciate something with Sean Long. What you see is what you get. He's an individual, a 'character' of the sport. He's flamboyant and an egotist and audacious and as such he can be both brilliant and a pain in the Rse. His kicking this season has been dire, yes, but then there was the match at Catalans for us when we were losing and he kicked I think it was three from the touchline on his 'wrong' foot. That helped us win the match, along with Wheeler and his brilliant final try.

My bet is that no-one could tell you whether Longy is bothered or not about leaving Saints. He may be as gutted as he recently claimed he would be if he had to leave or he may not. He is too much of an individual to let anyone but those closest to him know such stuff. But if he is at peace with his decision then you will get a very hardworking player in Long and a still gifted one, both with his boot and in his ability to organise round the park. Sure, we have had the best of him (though his kicking has never been reliable, even at his peak) but he still has at least one good year left in him.

Taking on any new player is a risk but at least with Longy everyone has seen what he is capable of, both negative and positive, so Hull have done this with their eyes open. If your coach has given Long fairly free reign when it comes to organising your team around the park then my guess is Longy will go well for you.

Best post i've read, well done and thank you.

This Hull FC fan has been craving that personality since Chico Jackson finished.

I have a feeling Long will be something special, and could end up coaching here. I have said for a while we need a born winner and have spoke about Hanley and Farrell and Cunningham. Long fits in alongside them, he wont chuck in a towel when 3 tries down and half hour left.

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:51 pm  

Think its a decent signing if we put another quality running half back with him. Playing Horney or even worse Thorman (God please no!!) then its not the signing we need. We need a half back we can sart to build a team around not a stop gap year after year. Saints, Leeds and Bradford all have their years of success built around a steady backs combination.

I truly hope Long and Fitzgibbon arent our 'Marque' signings for next year. If so I dread for season ticket sales!!

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:01 pm  

errrrrm sean long great number 7 not the best in SL but he aint the worst but will he perform for hull fc...we shall see

[Kosh]

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:02 pm  

Hull Kingston Convicts wrote:

So TKOAH and Wilf know nowt

To be fair, I'm not sure what part of buying a house in Hull is incompatible with what TKOAH was saying. He might keep his existing property and live there three days a week.

[Kosh]

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:04 pm  

Rock God X wrote:

Quite. But halfback is the pivotal position - more so than any other in the team.

I look at it like this:

He's been at Saints for many years and has been a bloody good player for them. They have built their team around him. If they thought he had another two years in him - and bear in mind they know a lot more about the sort of shape his body is in - then they would have given him a two year deal.

According to various Saints fans, the primary reason for not offering Long a 2 year deal was to allow them to bring their younger players through. That seems plausible at least.

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:09 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Or Saints have better players coming through who are younger and on less money (Steve Prescott springs to mind with Wellens coming through), that doesnt mean he is a bad signing for Hull.

As said before it seems like the Tony Smith signing to me, he did a great job for Hull in his time here, and wasnt wanted by wigan at the time.

We do have likes of wheeler and eastmond coming thru but both untried at 7 at super league level.

I think he do ok for you if he stays clear of injurys. Don't let him kick goals tho!!!

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:26 pm  

Been reading what the Saints fans have been saying about Long on their board. Interesting comparing it with what the Giants fans said about Thorman when he signed for us!

I'm sure he will do a good job for us for two years, but we need to start looking for a long term replacement sooner rather than later.

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:35 pm  

Nobeerineasthull wrote:

Been reading what the Saints fans have been saying about Long on their board. Interesting comparing it with what the Giants fans said about Thorman when he signed for us!

I'm sure he will do a good job for us for two years, but we need to start looking for a long term replacement sooner rather than later.

completely agree; for me this is a perfect signing for 2 years but we cannot be in the same desperate position this time in 2 years

we have to start planning now for when Long leaves

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:40 pm  

Kosh wrote:

According to various Saints fans, the primary reason for not offering Long a 2 year deal was to allow them to bring their younger players through. That seems plausible at least.

The reason is the long term plan. We recruited Potter to integrate the younger local talent since he had done well in that regard in France. We have had a number of players all approaching the latter end of their careers and/or contracts at a similar time. Last year Talau wanted a two year contract and he was offered one; he went to Salford. We didn't renew Scully, due to the enormous cost of his injuries I should imagine. Long was offered one year as well, just as Cunningham has been (again). Cunningham has taken these extensions up to now, Long did not want to. I don't think it was about talent but ultimately about flexibility for the club which has to rebuild itself given the number of players coming to the end of their careers and/or contracts. This season alone sees Long, Cunningham, Cayless, Gidley and Gilmour all out of contract.

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:47 pm  

Bransholme Red wrote:

To be fair there is a bit of a difference between a 32 year old scrum half and a 32 year old prop.


.

Yeah, the scrum half played a lot more games last season