One of those where I’m more than happy to see how it plays out. Powell and Mills obviously know more about him than I do, and who knows, maybe half a year out and a fresh start really will get him back to his best. Still can’t imagine he’ll be better cover than McGilvary, although that mightn’t have been in the club’s hands anyway. And just for reference, that announcement leaves our squad looking like below. Any position you’d still like to see strengthened?

1 Jowitt
2 Walmsley
3 Pratt
4 Hall
5 Johnstone
6 Trueman
7 O Russell
8 Atoni
9 Hood
10 Rodwell
11 McMeeken
12 Storton
13 Pitts

14 Doyle
15 Uele
16 Vagana
17 Niketemo

18 Kay

19 Rourke
20 Delaney
21 Booth
22 Croft
23 M Russell
24 Lino
25 Lawford
26 Shaw
27 Smith
28 Cozza
29 Griffin
30 Scott
31 Bain

32 Law
33 Brough
34 Lingard

Does the squad have enough SL standard depth at centre?

Good question. I’m not sure who’ll start the season in the centre out of Cam Scott and Corey Hall, but I see them as proven with plenty of room to grow still. Not world beaters, but could match most in SL at their best. Then we’ve Noah Booth who with a good preseason could be knocking on the door.

If I was being greedy I'd want a proven class centre

So for me it looks like this

1 Jowett
2 Walmsley
3 Scott
4 Pratt
5 Johnstone
6 Trueman
7 Russell
8 McMeekan
9 Hood
10 Atoni
11 Vagana
12 Storton
13 Pitts

14 Doyle
15 Uele
16 Rodwell
17 Niketemo

Fullback cover
Rourke Booth

Wing cover
Russell

Centre Cover
Hall Croft Law

Half back Cover
Lino Lawford Stephenson

Prop Cover
Shaw Bain Lingard

Hooker
Smith Kay

Second Row
Griffin

Loose
Cozza

Delaney
Brough

I think we are a bit light in the pack but plenty of players can cover multiple positions so I think that will be ok. We aren't going any bigger I wouldn't have thought.

I think we'll be fine if we need to go to squad number 25 but it starts to get weaker after that. But that's not much different to many teams

No he didn't, Max was awarded the Albert Goldthorpe Rookie of the Year Medal in 2016. Johnstone was the winner of the Super League Young Player of the Year in 2016.

Unbelievable. 1st poor signature of this management team. Would love to see what metrics Ste Mills spreadsheet led him to recommend this injury prone has been or should I say never been.

Not many on here (me included) were thrilled with the Olpherts signing when he was announced, but for me I would have been happy to give him another year. Admittedly he has been up against Championship standard players this season and Superleague is obviously a significant step up but Russell is obviously coming as back-up to Tom and Lachy so maybe he will do something similar if the circumstances dictate it...I guess time will tell ??

Exactly, clean slate and he will if nothing else provide experienced cover and depth for the back line.

I’ll judge him on the trinity performances. All his 199 games prior mean absolutely rock all to me.

I reckon I'll back Mills on this one.

To be honest, I don't get the problem. When I've seen him play I always liked what he did.

Well documented personal problems have blighted this young man’s playing career , but he looks to have sorted himself out and put those demons behind him . Very elusive player at his best , let’s hope he can capture some of that early form when given his chance , always liked his energy and commitment myself , welcome onboard .

I’m guessing it’s his carry and ability to win the floor and generate a quick play the ball so that we have a better chance of starting our sets off on the front foot.

So I guess Mills' super-dooper spreadsheet is just as likely to suggest scores of journeymen rather than specifically hidden gems?

It's funny that you think you know better but they don't sign people just based on the spreadsheet.

If they're looking for a certain type of player - in this case a winger who makes good metres, plays the ball quickly, and finishes fairly well - then why shouldn't they be a journeyman? Many players just don't settle or improve for all sorts of reasons, whether personal or professional. But some also grow up, drop the drink, start families, and start working hard for a coach they want to pay back.

I mentioned a while ago that one of Russell's former coaches described his footwork as 'scary' and would be amazed if he didn't play for England. Sure, that was 10 years ago, but he also arguably has one last shot to be the player he should have been (I'm not saying he'll play internationally!). And by the sounds of it he's well aware.

Interested to see people saying we've managed to keep a couple of signings under wraps. I doubt it but would love to be proved wrong. We have a 34-man squad, quota full, competition for every place, and most importantly - which half decent players are available?

Russell always seemed to me to be a dangerous returner of the ball, but often had loose carries. A good player to have in the squad as we look to transition from championship/bottom 4 SL to a team competing for the playoffs.

Is Liam Hood signed for next season yet?

Not yet, but he wasn't on the list of 9 being released

Spot on. We have players I have no doubts about in Super League (Jowitt, Pratt, Hall, Johnstone, Trueman, Uele, Atoni, Doyle, Rodwell, McMeeken, Vagana, Storton, Rourke), players I'm not sure about at top level (yet) but want to see kill it (Lino, Walmsley, O Russell, Smith, Niketemo, Bain, Booth) and solid players who are there to help us make that transition (Hood, Pitts, Kay, Croft, Cozza, Griffin). And I see Matty Russell as probably in the last group, but there's a possibility he could shock us, too.

A Hull KR fan keeps coming on the FC forum saying that Matty Ashurst and Iain Thornley are signing for Hull. Does anyone here have any insider knowledge that can hopefully disprove that?

Sounds like they've got you rattled! No insider knowledge as such but plenty of talk about them both going to Oldham.

Played 13 times for Scotland

Tier 1 internationally

Why would someone born in Scotland want to play for England?