agree with most of comments gibson never that good so don't see him as a step up he will work hard though

Christmas speech!
More like a Christmas sermon from the reverend vastman! ( just jokin)
An excellent post mate. I suppose we will be looking for an improvement from most of the team from last year. For me the most important improvement will be the pre season that smith has them in at the moment. The bigger squad will have them competing for places, and I think there might be a few surprises players wise regarding who gets picked..
Here's hoping. Up up trinity!!!!!

Yep that's a good assessment of how I see it, cautious optimism and everyone behind the club should see us gain some momentum. MC and Brian have worked hard to bring in some quality and added to our existing decent players and promising youngsters it's looking good to me.

You need to chill out
It was posted in jest
Sorry Vastman it was a good and reasoned post -I'm sure my joke didn't upset you

Yeah, good post, a sensible read in this time of very little happening. I must say it got me thinking of the new season and I too am more optimistic about next season than I have been for years.
I honestly think that players such as Miller, BJB and Johnstone will thrive on the coaching of BS!

I think it is a fair assessment of the way things stand. I'm especially looking forward to Finn, Toupu X 2 and Bishop. Bishop for me could provide Trinity with something they have lacked for a while and that is natural pace.

In relation to the season I'm optimistic it will be of a better quality on the field and we will pick up some more wins and perform to a higher standard.

I do however have a real concern with the end result of next year. For me it is again all about survival and whilst I think we will definitely see improvement I think after a few years in the doldrums the whole standard of the comp will improve particularly amongst the traditional lower lights.

Widnes, Salford and Hull in theory have really signed well and cleared the decks of some bad apples. Hull KR I have doubts about from a playing and coaching position and hope Trinity can get ahead of them.

It is highly unlikely Leigh will make the same mistakes as they did last year and shoot themselves in the foot. They are clearly going all out for SL this year I expect in a poop or bust style.

From a supporters point of view what would you rather see? Another season of poor performance but ultimately survival like 2015 or an improved on field performance, a few more wins but then relegation?

I would prefer the former and the reason I pose this question is because we may have to be prepared for some sub standard performances given the expectation on the squad but a real emphasis on peaking at the end of the year if we are to survive again.

Nope, stay in Super League for me. Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I'd rather see improved performances and survival - seems a rather odd question.

In fact what I would like to see most is some backbone and pride, supported by some intelligence on the field for a change. The results will come from that.

Obviously that is the ideal but and I believe a much better team than Trinity were in 2015 will most likely be relegated from SL in 2016, so that is why the question was asked.

I think Trinity need to personally still be very strategic in the use of the squad and resources throughout the year to ensure they are at the height of their powers at the end of the year for what I feel will be a really tough middle 8 competition.

On Twitter that Craig hall is in talks with Bradford

MC on twitter.....squad anouncment to be made at members meeting next week


Think current player extending but time will tell would love hall to go and be replaced by pomeroy

Thought Pomeroy Leigh bound. Would be good if lost Hall but gained Pomeroy...maybe trying to cut wage bill to pump up more money for a half back though in Joe Keyes?....

Think halls well down our list that's. It's a shame because he can be a reasonable player. Think he's the only player not to play for Smith. The end of season 8 will be a much harder proposition this time round, and for going in to them will be crucial.
I wouldn't expect any sl team to pull off what wake did last season based on performance and results.
Leigh obviously intend to learn from last year's experience but that does not point directly to promotion , will they be provided with enough tough games in the regular season.

Hope not.

Surely Leigh wont fit him in? They've just signed Willie Tonga from Catalan.

The speculation was about a centre from Catalan so Pomeroy was a prime suspect, in the end it was Tonga leaving Pomeroy without a club.
The fact that he's still here and not back in Australia suggests he still wants to play over here and with opportunities running out he may have to be more reasonable with his wage demands.

He'd still be a very good aquisition for us
Jones-Bishop
Johnstone
Gibson
Pomeroy
Tupou
Looks like a very solid three quarter line

Can't see it. Tupou will be the centre with Gibson

Where are we at on the Quota?

I'm not even sure if we're talking to him anymore, probably not!

All I'm doing is speculating, he may have been too expensive when we spoke to him first time but his options are now very limited and beggars can't be choosers. So, his demands might suit our evaluation and IF we still have the funds/quota space then he'd be a very useful acquisition.

I know it's not likely but I'm just speculating as I said earlier

The coach has stated he is looking to add a half back so I would think cash on the wage bill may be trying to be generated by letting Hall go to get the player they want for the position they need cover for.

I honestly believe that getting rid of Hall will be a mistake. I think he is a better player then he had the chance to show last season and I guess this is backed up by the club understanding that more clubs would be interested in him than Reece Lynn who I presume we will keep.

brian smith seems to like lynn i think he will do better next year a bit more experenced

Halls a strange one . He showed very little effort in the games he played and then the injury. I'm not sure he was up for the battle last season and I'm sure B'S will have evaluated him not on playing ability but definitely on attitude. He could be a useful player at f/b centre and stand off should the need arises. I'm in the 50 50 camp .

I think a Craig Hall that was committed to the cause would definitely be someone worth keeping, and would be a better player than some others we have. However, if there is an attitude problem then I'd rather we got rid, it won't do him or the team any favours to have someone in the camp who is not up for the fight (ask Ian Shirke!)

The Craig Hall situation is a funny one.
A player with talent but was very disappointing last season.
Now rumour has it, he is fully fit and entering the second year of his contract.
Do you stick with him and hope he signs another contract?
Likely Hall will be kicking his heels quite a lot this season and then be off at the end of the season.
Or do you look to the longer term and let him make a fresh start elsewhere and use the freed up money to develop a player for the next few years?
Joe Keyes is the name that keep cropping up and hopefully be the player to take over from Finn in a couple of years.