Elima has got me all wet.

I think this year is about building a team. If Potter has got it right, I reckon we'll win more than we lose next year.. so that excites me more than any one individual.

that pretty much sums up what Im thinking on signings so far. Whilst theres a few that stand out like elima and diskin ( and I'd include royston in that who I'm tipping to really surprise a few people), whats more readily apparent is the general increase in quality across the squad combined with retaining the best of our youngsters that have come through. Instead of paying large amounts to a few individuals, and generating bad feeling in dressing room due to big differences in wages, we're putting together a TEAM that hopefully will pull together and be greater then the individuals in it.

Mick Potter

Never bought into that argument on the basis that god knows how many sports teams have illustrated that belief to be wrong over the decades.

Varying wages don't necessarily lead to resentment/discontent.

maybe I phrased that badly. for wages substitute reputation. You get a team of reasonable quality then stick a couple of 'superstars' into it. the team plays well and the 'superstars' get all the plaudits. The team plays poorly and the team as a whole gets criticised. whereas when you get a team thats closer balanced in terms of ability then they dont rely on the the 'superstar' to do something special and work better together as a team.

For me, every successful side has a stand-out/superstar in general. Conversely when said team performs below an expected level it is generally the star player who gets it in the neck first up.

I would still far rather have seen a high quality proven signing than a string of maybe's and other clubs squad players. But, little point in over analysing that, maybe they will rip it up and obviously let's hope they do. Royston for me, will be the surprise curve ball.

If we are talking about excitement surely Ainscough has that ability to unlock defences that we have lacked.
Dont get me wrong I am not saying he is the most solid signing we have made or that he will prove to be most consistent but for sheer excite this kid has all the skills in attack. I like Elima and I like Diskin, i think ah van could turn up very well but the one that makes me think the most was the one who i saw as man of the tournament at the nines!

Have to say, there isn't a single signing that's got me excited however as a group they're a lot more impressive than individually

The last time we signed a large group of players in the off season we got Sykes, Nero, Finnegan, Godwin, Evans, Tadulala, Jeffries and Feather IIRC.

Compared with Ainscough, Raynor, Ah Van, Walker, Royston, Elima, Hargreaves and Diskin I'd say the new bunch has more going for it.

However it will take some time for that lot to all get used to playing together, especially when you consider we'll most probably have two new half backs as well.

A whole new backline, dummy half and playmaker is unprecedented in terms of close season recruitment since 96.

Yes, but it is easy to say that with the benefit of hindsight. In fairness to McNamara, that first bunch of players all had the potential to be good signings, but it is also arguable that most gave better service to their previous clubs. It seems that he was the wrong coach to bring out that potential.

It remains to be seen if Potter can succeed where McNamara failed (after all with the exception of Elima none are currently form players in SL), although his experience with the Catalans does suggest he has been able to do it before (especially when you consider how Walters failed with a more star-studded playing roster).

Good points Exeter and one reason why I think the recruitment of Potter is the most important one for the club.

It was even more important for Saints!

Indeed.

In addition far too much emphasis is continually placed on the coach rather than players themselves reacting to opportunity. The "batch" mentioned above failed to reach their potential or deliver. Not always the fault of the coach, they simply didn't man up.

The poll has been started again with three options and both Mick Potter and Leon added to the poll.

Fire away chaps.

Mick, remove Leon. He hasn't signed for us.

Ok

Mick can you add Greg Inglis, Keith Mumby and Dame Edna Everidge to the poll?

The person I'm most excited about hasn't signed yet......................

Can't see William Hague signing.

yes he will have to Wham as sig tune "wham bam i am AH VAN", sorry!

Much rather, "Baby, I'm ah van"

Yes, got my coat haven't I.

No, sorry I'm lost with that one!!

Btw, re Billy Vague, am I the only one who can't get used to his conversion from comedian to politician? When he used to be famous before, he was constantly telling jokes, and at times was almost funny, but now he tries to be serious, and I'm still waiting for the punchline which never comes............

You said the person who gets you most excited. I guessed at Billy Fizz.
His voice hasn't broken since his speech at the Tory conference aged 15 months.

Errm, not exactly tt. The OP mentioned [isigning[/i so I restricted my answer to that. Anyway, you really don't want to know who [ireally[/i gets me most excited............but it's not the tonsorially challenged, smug, windbag

.