I am not that bothered about getting 'grubs' like those guys. When we had guys like Morley, Carvell, Hill, Wood they weren't doing grubby underhand stuff or winding up the opposition but they were guys nobody took liberties with. It's the same with Leeds when they had Leuluai, Peacock, JJB. They imposed themselves on the game without being little poops.

But we’re talking about those players relative to their counterparts at our nearest rivals. How did Austin, Sezer, Smith, Cust, Connor, Gale, Walker et al get on last season? We finished clear in 3rd and 3 points off 1st didn’t we? So we can’t be that bad. We just need to improve in attack and not get rattled in important matches.

Quote ="easyWire"We finished clear in 3rd and 3 points off 1st didn’t we? So we can’t be that bad. We just need to improve in attack and not get rattled in important matches.'" I think we were 7 points off 1st although Cats played 2 more games, 1 point behind Saints. https://www.rugby-league.com/match-centre Although it felt like more we only lost 5 league games Castleford (a) Hudds (h) Leeds (h) Wakefield (a) Saints (h) We beat Catalans home and away, Wigan home and away, Saints away, Leeds away, The rest of the league below us lost 10 or more games.

Quote ="easyWire"We finished clear in 3rd and 3 points off 1st didn’t we? So we can’t be that bad. We just need to improve in attack and not get rattled in important matches.'" I think we were 7 points off 1st although Cats played 2 more games, 1 point behind Saints. https://www.rugby-league.com/match-centre Although it felt like more we only lost 5 league games Castleford (a) Hudds (h) Leeds (h) Wakefield (a) Saints (h) We beat Catalans home and away, Wigan home and away, Saints away, Leeds away, The rest of the league below us lost 10 or more games.

I completely forgot that Ratchford was a Harry Sunderland trophy winner in 2018.

Spot on Sal, they left that to Ablett and Bailey.

A signing I try to forget

I think that we were duped with Roy (the warning signs were a bit late when he went MIA for Samoa) but yes despite his 'GF rings' Bailey was a low ebb for sure as far as our recruitment is concerned.

A TS charity case.

They've signed Pearce though who is better than Maloney.

More about bedding in, and team dynamics. Hence the uncertainty.

Better individually, but will Pearce have the effect that Maloney seemed to have on Cats? It was like he was a catalyst. I guess we'll know soon enough.

Also, Maloney managed to get a few games for the national team as well as SOO didn't he?

Definitely.

Smith awarded Bailey a contract at Warrington because he felt sorry for him.

Pearce and Maloney have similar histories in NRL in terms of appearances and SOO appearances for NSW. Maloney did play for Australia 3 times as well. There isn't much in it and I haven't seen enough of them to say if Pearce is better or worse. However Maloney fully bought in to the Catalans and became a key player who was probably their most important player, there is no guarantee that Pearce will even settle in the Northern hemisphere, nevermind be successful and become as important to Catalans as Maloney. There is a very good chance he does the same but only time will tell.

Catalans have made 3 great signings for next season in
Pearce, Dylan Napa and now Tyrone May. A proper statement of intent. It’s up there with Matt King, Mike Monaghan and Chris Hicks. We can only hope they too don’t gel in their first season. The squad is up there with Saints and again will be the teams to beat.

Pearce is not a patch on maloney. Massive loss for catalans.

In his prime Maloney was the better player but right now Pearce is better. He will be a fantastic signing.

Tomkins, May, Pearce is looking like a dangerous spine. Drinkwater was one of their best last season, interesting to see what happens with him.

I would hope that we'd hold our own in the early rounds. I'd be surprised if we hit the ground running, as we've a number of players that are missing the pre-season. If were top six after 8 rounds, I'd happily take it now, as I'd hope for better things to come as the season unwinds.

I think the players missing are mainly backup options though aren’t they? I think Holmes is supposed to be fit by the start of the season (obviously will take a short while to get up to speed). Our main threats will still be available though won’t they?

EDIT: forgot Clark. When is he fixed? Happy enough with the surprisingly good Walker as backup for the first few weeks.

Yes, this is a great opportunity for Danny Walker to fill his boots and those of DC.