I don't dispute that but that isnt a reason to keep Matt Cook

The reason is, you really shouldn't release players that are better than the ones that you keep as opposed to keeping poorer players over the ones you decide to let go.

Just on SSN he's signed for HKR on a 2 year deal

Are you BSC in disguise?

So that's another player leaving...our squad is looking prety thin next year. Im looking forward to some signing news soon.
Surely....

Jeez, some of you obviously don't know the talent Matt Cook possesses. Don't worry, he'll show at Odsal next year.

Cheers for a future England International.

So he gets through more defence but he averages more missed tackles?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Worrincy is a world beater but he does average slightly better stats than Cook and has scored a few tries.

However when you compare either to better quality second rows it's apparent that neither of them are that great and we need some quality in the squad, we've too many average performers.

If allowing Cook to leave gives us space to sign some quality I'm all for it. I just hope we don't simply bring in another average player.

He's a busted flush IMO.

That said, he may become another of those Odsal ghosts...

Very obviously.

I hope he fills his potential at Rovers, because he's been held back by Macca over the past 3 and half years.

Tis why I emphasised 'some', that doesn't include you, who obviously recognises talent when they see it.

That James Donaldson looks a very good prospect too.

Yeah, those who have watched him every single game for the last few years clearly have a poor impression compared to yourself, who has seen him when he's played against HKR or on Sky.

I don't see it as clear cut as you.

The kid had potential but never kicked on. Whether that was due to a lack of first team games I dunno but he wasn't tearing it up in the reserves either so it's not like he was kept out when he was playing really well.

He's average IMO. If Morgan gets more out of him then good for Cook and it'll raise more questions about McNamara.

Until that happens I'll not lose much sleep over him going.

He's been wasted at Bradford. Much like Tommy Lee has at Hull.

It's the poor coaching methods, as shown with Liam Colbon and Scott Wheeldon at Wigan and Hull respectively. Those two have had great seasons at HKR.

Would you say HKR are a top 3 side on paper? Probably not, hence why signings like Matt Cook will prove valuable on what I guess isn't a hefty chunk of salary cap, besides isn't what the Franchise is all about? Making young English talent into very handy players rather than letting them stagnate.

Good luck if you've got youngsters coming through to fill Cook's place, the more the merrier I say.

Sorry but he's no future England star in my opinion. He'll do a good job off the bench though for most super league sides. I think we have given him enough time to make an impression and he just hasn't quite cut it. I think the likes of Donaldson/Whitehead/Tate are the future for us.

Same here.

Totally agree.

As much as I want to see some of the good youngsters coming through we must surely have to strengthen substantially now with in all likelyhood the following leaving:

Solomona
Cook
Morrison
Newton
BJ

We've strengthened the back row in wonder man Hall.

as you got the first wrong i wont hold my breath on the other 2

Morrison and Newton's replacements have already been announced in Hall & L'Estrange.

As far as Solomona & Cook go, I would expect we're going to be using Olbison, Whitehead and Donaldson more to compensate for those players leaving. A starting back row of Menzies, Hall & Langley, with those youngsters as backup isn't too bad (if we deliberately ignore Worrincy).

You would hope there is a replacement for BJ coming in though, although I suspect it may end up being a centre and Sykes going to 6.

interesting choice of phrasing on the official bulls txt about matt cook joining hull kr. specifically the bit about kr having made one more signing. Wouldnt be surprised if they have got semi as well. Although it'll be interesting to see what length of deal theyve had to give him. If its more than a year then I could see why we've let him go as a longer deal at his age would be a bit of a gamble imo.

I'm sorry, but if we signed Semi Tadulala i'd be very dissappointed. We won't be anyway.

Wouldn't want Tadulala but think Cook is a future england star. You ever watched Bradford play?

think thats the key thing. if we'd retained matt cook and given worrincy's already under contract for next year, then we'd be accused of blocking progress of whitehead,olbison and donaldson, who from the brief amount of gametime they've had so far give every sign of having much more potential than cookie.
If it had been a straight choice between cook and worrincy then we might have gone the other way and kept cook, but worrincy is already under contract so it wasnt a straight choice. Matt's had several years to break through to first team and plenty of opportunity but has never really lived up to the hype. best of luck for the future but can't say Im too bothered hes gone.

Official Confirmation now... hullkr.co.uk/article.php?id=446

Official Confirmation now... hullkr.co.uk/article.php?id=446