It’s obvious you’ve never met, he’s not in your mummy’s basement too.

Hull FC needed to give their fans the good news about the Asiata signing.

It would have been bad business to delay the announcement.

It still doesn't look good when an incoming player feels the need to make a public apology about how his new club handled the announcement, regardless of what we think. When did that ever happen?

Optics are important. Sponsors and investors become cautious of negative press which can soon get out of hand. It's ok being hard faced about it but there's no point in creating unnecessary negativity.

If Asiata spends a significant time on the side lines in the next three years, the club will look foolish. The player himself has alluded to the fact that he's coming for one last big pay cheque. Be all about the business but be smart with it.

If he spends on the sideline the last thing people will ve moaning about will be how we announced the signing.

The press isn't that negative and neither should it be.

Think this is a big overreaction, we definitely could have handled it better so could Beaumont, but it isn't a big deal.

We have a lot bigger concerns than this.

Must be a slow news day for us FC fans if we are making a big deal about this.

My read of it is that the story got out in the press, forcing the club's hand so they had to announce it earlier than they wanted to. Let's be honest, there was no benefit to the club in announcing it when they did. I'm sure there are other done deals which we haven't announced.

We should have spoken to leigh and the player before the official release but it's hardly a major issue.

As for his statement, probably between a rock and a hard place with derek, his fellow players and the fans. What else is the guy supposed to do?