Hull KR CEO Paul Lakin sets out his action plan for kick-starting Rovers

He officially started work on Monday and has already been involved in crucial Super League meetings plus witnessing the Robins’ season end prematurely and the squad suffer more positive Covid tests.

“I suppose you could say I was thrown in at the deep end,” said Lakin, who has worked at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City since leaving his first spell with Rovers in 2008.

“It’s been quite a first week, that’s for sure. But I’ve really enjoyed it.

“Whilst clearly the issue around Covid and the Super League meetings played a prominent place, it’s a club I know so in terms of the surroundings it was easy to slot back in.

“It’s been full on but I don’t expect that to change.”

Obviously, Rovers have suffered another difficult year on the pitch having finished bottom of Super League and Lakin - who has been put in full control by departing chairman Neil Hudgell - has, among other things, been tasked with ensuring they no longer endure an annual battle to avoid relegation.

Asked what his main priority is, he said: “Recruitment. It’s obviously November, a key time.

“We are not looking to recruit seven, eight, nine players like, historically, perhaps the club has done over the past few years.

“We are going to concentrate on the money we do have to spend and the qualities we need.

“I am a huge believer that we can spend a lot of money on a lot of initiatives, earmark tens of thousands on a marketing campaign, but there is nothing more important than the squad and getting that right.

“Ultimately that’s what supporters want to see; first and foremost we’re a rugby league club so it is naive and somewhat stupid, in my view, not to concentrate on investinig in the squad and that’s what we will do.

“We’re not budgeted for the full salary cap. The intention though is to recruit wisely, a philosophy we’ve put in place and we’re looking to bring academy kids through.

“But what we do need to do now is add some quality. We are looking to recruit overseas and in the next few weeks.

“We’re looking for players at the right age.

“Ideally want to bring in players that have played NRL but maybe more squad players but with upside because of their age.

What we’re not looking to do, with all due respect, is bring in players in the last two years of their career.”

Meanwhile, Rovers have also made it clear that they are looking for potential new owners as long-time benefactor Hudgell eventually looks to scale back his involvement.

On the club’s current state, Lakin said: “It’s in an immediate stable position.

“It’s precarious in the world we live in at the moment and we’ll all hope for a better 2021 for everybody.

“We’re a little bit concerned in terms of the environment we’re living in with Covid but we absolutely have stability.

“As everyone knows we are looking for investment but we’re looking for it in the right way.

“We aren’t just going around asking general people for investment. “We’ve gone through a private equity company that is doing all the work for us.

“That’s a long process but it’s a company I’ve worked with before in football and one I know well. That’s a process that will run parallel with our day-to-day work.

“Neil will continue to support the club financially, which we’re really grateful for. We’re looking forward to next year.”

Asked if there had been any interest in the club, Lakin replied: “Only two weeks ago the process was completed in terms of due diligence that we needed to create internally to be able to put the package together.

“The truthful answer is no but would I expect anything at this stage? No.

“That question will perhaps be more relevant towards the beginning of the new year.

“The process in terms of courting potential investors has only just begun."

He is relishing the chance to make his mark.

Lakin said: "The reason I’ve come back is I genuinely believe there’s potential.

"I know the city, I know the fans and I know the club.

"As a chief exec and in leadership, you look at a puzzle and the puzzle pieces and I think they’re all there.

"They just need joining together with a little bit of structure and leadership, and better comms.

"If you look at the on-field management team in Tony Smith, Danny McGuire and John Bastian, you’ve got one of the most respected names in the academy game alongside one of the greatest players of the Super League era and a vastly experienced coach.

"I’m already enjoying working with those three guys. A lot of it is just a little bit more joined-up thinking, a structure and a philosophy. I see a lot of potential."