If we consider that this was Smith's 1st side (even accepting a number of signings were made before he joined us) what would you like to see in the 2nd side?

For me, one big improvement we could make is pace. We do not have one player who could run 70 yards to score in a break.

For this, and the defensive defects, I would like to see us replace Riley with an out and out world class winger. I don't believe Riley offers enough to a GF winning aspirant side.

Currie in the pack gives us some pace there and Atkins is no slouch.

What are other people's thoughts?

All fair points. We are bringing significant pace in with Penny and presumably Evans more regularly - remember he was in the 17 at the beginning of the season. However, is it something we miss? We are at the top of the scoring charts - we beat Huddersfield 4 times (and they ARE fast), we beat Leeds twice and they have the best back line in the league. It wasn't pace that lost us the game on Saturday nor in the cup (I'd say a wonderful Wigan effort over 80 minutes - well, 70 - on Saturday and a kicking tour de force from Holdsworth in the cup).

the man the myth PENNY

I too did worry about our lack of pace compared to other sides this season, especially when Atkins was out injured. I suppose this is when we rely on Briers kicking game more often. So once he's presumably gone after the end of next season, more pace is definitely required in the backs.....along with a half-back with a decent kicking game.

As i said on another thread, i'd like to see atkins go out to the wing and two quality centres coming in.

that'll not happen with a fb/winger already on the way in.

Does anyone think that GOB will be given a run next year and by run I mean a fair crack of the whip where he plays in games with our 'first' team set up, rather than in a fully rotated version prior to a perceived 'bigger game'?

I hope so, so that we can fully assess whether he can make the grade

the odds are more likely as briers starts taking longer to recover from knocks

who?

He means Ben Jones-Bishop from Leeds...although (obviously) nothing has been announced by the club.

Then, if these forums are to be believed we have also signed James Graham, Sam Tomkins, QLT, Benji Marshall and the list goes on.....

Let's just wait and see

I don't think we have signed anyone at all.

Currie is a cracking player and should be in your 17 week in and week out. You have recruited Penny to give you some pace, I suspect though that the jury is out on him.

NOOO we need to get all this sorted NOW because don’t forget the "ive seen our new kit and its purple and green" rubbish will be starting soon don’t you just love the off season

we have mark.
you could have seen one of them himself training with the team for the last 4 or 5 months!

Jesus not again, will you either put up or shut up.your so full of contradiction its funny, one minute you say we have four new signings then you start a rumor thread, make your mind up which it is.

Can't wait for start of 2014 season ! Then by April rumours will be starting about who we've signed for 2015 cos this lot are a load of carp .

Im not Jesus, I'm a very naughty boy!

I am discounting England. Although I think he still has to prove fitness first.

2 months of rehab on a shoulder reconstruction!

Morley effectively replaced by Asotasi, Williams by Penny, and let's say Cooper by England. I'd say that's a fair renewal of those spots in the squad.
Which leaves Carvell, McCarthy and Hodgson of the departures to be replaced. I'd be hopeful that some of the younger forwards can make the step up to fill the gaps left by Carvell and McCarthy, but it looks like a full-back is needed to me.

The above mentioned players who are leaving do obviously take a deal of experience with them, but we're hardly a bunch of ingenues with the likes of Briers, Westwood, the Monaghans, Higham, Waterhouse and Wood still on the books. Clearly, Saturday was the last hurrah for that squad as it stood, and unfortunately, it ended in defeat. However, I think we may have a better blend of youth and experience next season, and see no reason why we shouldn't be in the mix for trophies again.

Pace didn't lose us the game, but with pace you stand a far greater chance of winning those kinds of games than losing them. With pace you can score from anywhere on the field, a simply intercept can result in six points. An intercept for us results in 20 yards and a fresh set. The game at the HJ against Leeds was a great example of what can be done with speed, a Burrow burst, a Watkins break, it all came from relatively little pressure on the defence. Obviously, it isn't just pace, you need brains, footwork and so on, but the ability to strike from distance, or 'counter strike', really is our biggest weakness for me.

Well we've been linked with Ben Jones-Bishop all season. Not seen anything concrete (not looked to be honest), he'd provide far greater competition for the wing/full back spots. As good as Ratch has been at full back, we may see him pop up at centre on the odd occasion next year, Bridge still doesn't look like the player of old to me.

"Ladies and gentlemen please be upstanding for our latest signing Kevin Penny" this will be a reason he's come back. To provide us some go forward in broken play.

Of course Kev helps, but Kev hasn't proven anything yet so you're running the risk if this is the solution. Let's be honest, if he comes back and picks up where he left off then he isn't going to play very much.

Atkins is as fast as any player in SL isn't he?