[quote="BOSS HOG":v88gfhaj]Cade has played for Wigan and Salford in Super League and is fully developed. He is unlikely to get any better. Leyland had 1 year in Super League is only 23 and will probably improve as he plays in a more professional environment.[/quote:v88gfhaj] There’s a lot of scope for Leyland to improve, but let’s not forget that it was basically a free shot for London last year, they threw the ball about a lot with no pressure or expectation. When it went well for them they got the plaudits but when they played poorly there was no criticism or analysis it was just expected. Playing as a halfback for Warrington or Hull underachievers with huge expectations is a different kettle of fish, it will be interesting to see how he goes. He’d have been a handy squad player instead of signing Abdull in hindsight for Hull. But we’d have still needed to sign a couple of more experienced/proven halfbacks. It’s a big if, but if Cust gets a good injury free run there’s no reason why he can’t do better than what he showed at Wigan or Salford especially. He’s still only 26, I’m sure Cartwright has signed him on the back of his Manly potential. He certainly wasn’t our first choice though there’s no denying that it is what it is hopefully he might surprise a few people with a bit of injury luck.

Cust also played well in a top side and did well in the NRL, still pretty young too, injuries have caused a loss of form. If he is over those injuries and get back to his first season at Wigan form, then we have a very good player. I'm not convinced that will happen though.

Cust making quite a few of you look silly. Only one game but positive signs

[quote="Hullrealist":3s8eq4qf]Cust making quite a few of you look silly. Only one game but positive signs[/quote:3s8eq4qf] Not really he scored two good tries and played well, but when he was going to be back up to abdull/sezer/amir people were reasonably questioning him as a quota signing as a back up.

[quote="Cuddleclub":3v6563c0]Not really he scored two good tries and played well, but when he was going to be back up to abdull/sezer/amir people were reasonably questioning him as a quota signing as a back up.[/quote:3v6563c0] FWIW I’m not so sure Cartwright really ever had him as back up to JA, it was reported early doors that he was training at 6 with Sezer. Like you say it’s strange use of a valuable quota spot if that was the plan but I’m not sure Cartwright was ever sold on JA, hence two quota HB’s brought in. Let’s not get carried away with Cust, he really needs a good string of games, but for context he played 27 first grade games for Manly (Cartwright was assistant) and scored 9 try’s before he moved to SL at 22. Manly only let him join Wigan if they could have first option if he returned to the NRL. Again in context he’s younger then Tristan Sailor and played more first grade then he did in 3 less seasons. He also looked decent in a Wigan side that won the cup then the league in his 2 years. He got a bad injury which made them move French to 6 and lost his place to possibly the best ever SL import. Still a risky signing for me, but he’s hardly the mug some people made out. Same applies to Sezer and Hardaker. Not perfect signings with age etc but absolute proven quality. Sezer coached by Carty previously and both played with Myler. Never my first choice of signings but obviously highly thought of by both the rugby blokes making the decisions. Think sometimes we let rival fans/trolls on here and social media get into our heads. Injury concerns are valid and time will tell on that, but there’s still some absolute quality and match winning experience in this side if we get a bit of luck.

Can't get carried away, there will be tougher games. I've been suprised at at the negativity to us signing Sezer, if you watched him last season he played very well in a poor side and Wests only won when he played. Think he will be a good signing and really help out two halfs. Love how vocal and competitive he is, perfect captain. Top goal kicker too.

I think the main criticism of the cust and sezer signings was their fitness records and age in sezers case. If we get plenty of games out of both they will prove good signings. Sezer was good at hudds but seemed to be constantly injured at Leeds. Cust injured regularly since he got that bad injury at wigan and doesn’t seem to have strung many games together since. It's worrying that cartwright picked up another injury last night as he seems to be another one who can't stay fit and the squad just isn't big enough to cope with many injuries and be competitive, especially in the forwards

Think we have capacity to bring in at least 3 players, so hopefully we can keep a eye on the market and strengthen as we do. Agree on Cartwright, really shame as he looks a really classy backrower and the type we haven't had for a few years.

[quote="Jake the Peg":2pg6w37i]I think the main criticism of the cust and sezer signings was their fitness records and age in sezers case. If we get plenty of games out of both they will prove good signings. Sezer was good at hudds but seemed to be constantly injured at Leeds. Cust injured regularly since he got that bad injury at wigan and doesn’t seem to have strung many games together since. It's worrying that cartwright picked up another injury last night as he seems to be another one who can't stay fit and the squad just isn't big enough to cope with many injuries and be competitive, especially in the forwards[/quote:2pg6w37i] Don’t think anybody would disagree with that. I think sometimes people do try and read too much into injury records though when it can just be luck. It’s a tough sport, there’s no guarantee though with any player at any age. Look at Trueman at Hull, came back from an ACL. Had he kept injuring his knee in training or coming off in games you’d point to a persistent problem, but he strung a load of games together looking stronger each week then ruptured his achilles in a game. That’s just horrendous luck not necessarily injury prone. For any side to have a good season you have to get lucky with injuries somewhat.

More reports from the NRL that Hastings & Pryce could be out at Newcastle Knights , Hastings is supposed to be training with the Knights reserve side . I wonder if we have enough Cap space to tempt Pryce back to England .

[quote="B0NES":31ykmoke]More reports from the NRL that Hastings & Pryce could be out at Newcastle Knights , Hastings is supposed to be training with the Knights reserve side . I wonder if we have enough Cap space to tempt Pryce back to England .[/quote:31ykmoke] Myler has stated that we have room on the cap and are actively looking to recruit if the right player comes available. Pryce would be a very good signing and will give us more options at FB and SO.

[quote="Marcus's Bicycle":1x6moyez][quote="B0NES":1x6moyez]More reports from the NRL that Hastings & Pryce could be out at Newcastle Knights , Hastings is supposed to be training with the Knights reserve side . I wonder if we have enough Cap space to tempt Pryce back to England .[/quote:1x6moyez] Myler has stated that we have room on the cap and are actively looking to recruit if the right player comes available. Pryce would be a very good signing and will give us more options at FB and SO.[/quote:1x6moyez] If that’s the case and Pryce has no suitors in the NRL then I’d hope we’d at least make a play for him as a replacement for Abdul. He’d certainly be a great signing and added bonus being non quota.

[quote="B0NES":mnsugat4]More reports from the NRL that Hastings & Pryce could be out at Newcastle Knights , Hastings is supposed to be training with the Knights reserve side . I wonder if we have enough Cap space to tempt Pryce back to England .[/quote:mnsugat4] If we wanted Pryce and he moves mid season don’t see why we wouldn’t be in a strong position for him, Leigh might be in for both though. From what I’ve read Pryce has looked lively when he’s played but struggled defensively at that level, don’t know if that would be factor with Cartwright.

[quote="DSJ1983":6wouh5e5]If we wanted Pryce and he moves mid season don’t see why we wouldn’t be in a strong position for him, Leigh might be in for both though. From what I’ve read Pryce has looked lively when he’s played but struggled defensively at that level, don’t know if that would be factor with Cartwright.[/quote:6wouh5e5] We should be having a word with Magic Mikey, he looked very upset on his Sky interview, he’s one of our own

[quote="Jake the Peg":yk267uaj]I think the main criticism of the cust and sezer signings was their fitness records and age in sezers case. If we get plenty of games out of both they will prove good signings. Sezer was good at hudds but seemed to be constantly injured at Leeds. Cust injured regularly since he got that bad injury at wigan and doesn’t seem to have strung many games together since. It's worrying that cartwright picked up another injury last night as he seems to be another one who can't stay fit and the squad just isn't big enough to cope with many injuries and be competitive, especially in the forwards[/quote:yk267uaj] Think we are screwed in the second row.Lane played well defensively last night but offers no real threat going forward I cant see Holmes stringing a number of games together and the other option Chamberlain is the same but he is only Championship level We also need a centre so if Richie Rich is to bring some players in mid season it has to be a second row and a centre. Would rather see Westerman given a run than Briscoe

[quote="bonaire":2a498p4j]Think we are screwed in the second row.Lane played well defensively last night but offers no real threat going forward I cant see Holmes stringing a number of games together and the other option Chamberlain is the same but he is only Championship level We also need a centre so if Richie Rich is to bring some players in mid season it has to be a second row and a centre. Would rather see Westerman given a run than Briscoe[/quote:2a498p4j] Positive as always, if we won the World Club Challenge down under you'd find something to drone on about

After last night anyone who can't see what Myler was trying to do coming in late inheriting some of our previous players and someone else's ideas of what we needed, as he entered a market that was well and truly devoid of talent, needs to go to Caravan Park and consult their sponsors. But for me, as a start, it's a good one, small steps and all that. The wheel might come off as we move forward for this is Hull FC after all, but we at least have a base of talent and experience to build on and I really can't see how anyone can complain thus far (although I see they are!!!). Even our coach admitted we did better than he thought we would. Next Fridays another thing altogether, but for now we've made a start and I'm having a beer on it!

[color=#FF0000:1glu0amh]Comment removed as goes against the AUP and posting rules [/color:1glu0amh]

Very random and rude post. If i were you I'd find another hobby, even HullFC becoming rich and winning away for the first time in 18months is still making you miserable.

Ah yes like your debates such as using childish nicknames and using "ladies" as an insult. Feel free to withdraw fron the site if you don't like it.

[color=#FF0000:3vj0agwr]Please can users of this board try to refrain from being personal with comments and also stop goading each other[/color:3vj0agwr] Quite frankly I have better things to do with my time than sort through the board due to what I can only describe as petty school yard squabbles. I had hoped the win would at least see a temporary halt to it but guess not!!!! Everyone is entitled to an opinion be they a ‘happy’ clapper, ‘sad’ clapper or just a middle of road ‘cant be that d clapper’ but no one is entitled to goad, pick on or abuse others.

[quote="bonaire":gbdtuzb3] Would rather see Westerman given a run than Briscoe[/quote:gbdtuzb3] I’d like to see Westerman get a bit of game time at some point but what’s wrong with Briscoe at centre? I remember watching him years ago in the academy and he was predominantly a centre so knows the position. He’s 34 but still got freakish upper body strength, gets through a load of work and still looks pretty quick for that position. On Friday it also looked like he was using his experience to good effect helping out the much younger Martin, seems a great fit to me.

[quote="DSJ1983":2w2bqt8m]I’d like to see Westerman get a bit of game time at some point but what’s wrong with Briscoe at centre? I remember watching him years ago in the academy and he was predominantly a centre so knows the position. He’s 34 but still got freakish upper body strength, gets through a load of work and still looks pretty quick for that position. On Friday it also looked like he was using his experience to good effect helping out the much younger Martin, seems a great fit to me.[/quote:2w2bqt8m] Briscoe was probably selected at centre for the same reason Rapana was at 1. Catalans are a physical team and we needed all the help from back field as possible. Westermans time will come, but away at Catalans round 1 probably wasn't it

[quote="mwindass":2z0j7wxj]Briscoe was probably selected at centre for the same reason Rapana was at 1. Catalans are a physical team and we needed all the help from back field as possible. Westermans time will come, but away at Catalans round 1 probably wasn't it[/quote:2z0j7wxj] Yeah I said earlier on in the week on the Catalans thread that I’d play that exact backline for that reason, didn’t think it was a game for Moy either TBH and the meters the back 5 got through justifies that. Regardless of opposition though think Briscoe is a good option in the centres in any circumstance, was just intrigued as to why Bonaire would rather see a young lad who still qualifies for the academy flogged needlessly when we have a good option there.

[quote="DSJ1983":bpicdksm]I’d like to see Westerman get a bit of game time at some point but what’s wrong with Briscoe at centre? I remember watching him years ago in the academy and he was predominantly a centre so knows the position. He’s 34 but still got freakish upper body strength, gets through a load of work and still looks pretty quick for that position. On Friday it also looked like he was using his experience to good effect helping out the much younger Martin, seems a great fit to me.[/quote:bpicdksm] Yes, agree with this. We are in the first year of trying to rebuild not only the team but almost the entire club out of the rubble of the past few years. Clearly we have only taken the first couple of steps on the road back and we are nowhere near where we would like to be as a club and a playing roster. Obviously, the likes of Briscoe, Hardaker, Rapana have more rugby behind them than they have in front of them, but as Friday night showed this core of experienced players can help the club stop the rot and turn us back in the right direction, and one of the key aspects of this is the fact that we can use any of the younger players more sparingly through the year, drip feeding them into the starting line-up rather than flogging them game after game. One of the reasons why Wigan, Saints, Leeds have been so good at bringing young players through is because they do so without heavy responsibility being placed on their shoulders almost from the moment they walk into the first-team dressing room and I think we are aiming for a similar set-up here. Briscoe can do a valuable job for the team throughout the coming months, be it at centre or on the wing, his experience at the high level of the sport will be immeasurable in helping the young players develop their game at a steady rate hopefully without pressure being piled on them to deliver week after week. Think most fans on here understand where the club are trying to move to, but this will take time, we all know it is not going to be an instant overnight fix, but for the first time in quite a while there appears to be a degree of joined up thinking within the club which is one of the key attributes most of us on here have being looking for during these dark days in the recent past. We're on step one of the climb back, that's all so far. Keep watching this space, it won't be dull, it never is with our club!!!