TBH I thought Timmay and Kirmond were our only real special player - I've had a change of heart - I think Pitta is pretty damn smart, I also think Lyne is really making great strides and I reckon McShane is also on the way up. However the my original 2 can be joined by a third - Mr Graig Hall. I honestly didn't realise what a talent he is, that last try of his would grace any game and I think he's the only player we have currently able to score those, he's potent attacking weapon and in defence he looked no worse than Mathers on a good day. Real quality.

A word for Johnson who looks ready to play and Anakin who made his 15 minutes really count.

Over all I was really happy today - but - it's a friendly and they are no guide to the season good or bad so I'll enjoy it for what it was.

Fev looked better drilled than some SL teams, why is it that part time teams often do the basics better than SL teams or at least when playing SL teams.

Have to say Lyne has come on leaps and bounds since he first arrived and now appears to have plenty of confidence in himself as for Craig Hall always thought he had plenty of talent.Role on the start of the season

Yeh Craig hall as impressed me more then anyone so far everytime there is a high ball I don't close my eyes any more and his kicking as been brilliant he as been solid so far

I was very impressed with Hall yesterday. He was very impressive.

I agree with all that Vasty. Godinet is a favourite of mine but the others are all special for us too.
I think Hall will turn out to be a major signing for us.

There are still some tuning issues but I think we'll have a good season this year. What that means in league position is debatable as others have improved too but I'm expecting some entertainment at Belle Vue.

According to Gary Schofield in League Express today Tim Smith and Kirmond are the only ones in our squad other Superleague teams would want.
Think Collis, Hall,Godinet and perhaps Mcshane ,Scruton,Lynne would be wanted if available.
See Hull have gone for Howarth.
I would prefer either of our 'hookers ' to him.
Pin the article on the dressing room door James!

Nobody cares what this drunk says anymore, he's just stealing money trotting out pre conceived nonsense. Shame because he was one upon a time very knowlegeable about the game. I know some one here who probably know him far better than I will beg to differ but I think I'm being more than fair.

It's ok by me. We'll keep our players and let the other teams deal transfers with each other.

Sammutt as the x factor , I wonder if anyone will ever tell us the truth as to what he has done wrong

Godinet is a top class hooker

you know what I mean and is a pleasure to watch,Mcshane I also thought looked good but,Hall's try was class all though against a tiring defence,it still needed a lot of work to cross the line.

I can tell you the problem from my viewpoint - the ridiculous swan dive for his last try. When winning a CCup then YES but a Fev friendly come on Jarrod. Very easy to injure yourself with those so coming from a senior player it's a worry. I don't think he's a team player, not saying he isn'y popular just that he doesn't play his part as he should.

It's OK being a maverick but you have to earn the righ and for me he hasn't as yet, he simply doesn't put the hard yards in - like Owen but because he's an Aussie many of the more fickle fans on here don't see it.

He went on The Voice and nobody likes that!

Always liked Hall and when I've seen him play against us over the years, more often than not seemed a good player, who could create something out of nothing. I was definitely pleased when we signed him.

Agree with you about Godinet, a great little player and one of those 100% always busy & involved kind of players, who's turing into a bit of a fan favorite. After a rocky start, Lyne started to find his feet last year especially whe he added a bit of size and imo will continue to get bettter and better. We all now Colllis is all class and hopefully we get more games out of him this season. If we do, whoever's outside him will score quite a few.

Wasn't sure about McShane when he came over but he's grown on me, a good reliable hooker.

I wasn't at the game, but I've heard from several people that Kirmo looked more like his old self - that's good to hear, because when we were in our purple patch, him running off Tim Smith was a really effective attacking weapon; if we can get more of that this season, we'll score a few. Fully firing, he's also one of the few who never shirks in defence.

I'd throw big Ali into the special player category as well. The old bones may be creaking and he can't play full on for as many minutes these days but even now theres not many better in the league hitting the ball at pace 15 meters out or better at getting the impossible offload away.

Same goes for Matty Ryan. You just know he gives it everything he has got and runs some real good lines. His size makes him very hard to handle.

You're bang on there, he just doesn't look a rugby player, looks more like an amateur basketball player.

Minus the odd centre/winger, this squad is reminiscent of the best we have put together in SL.

In 2004 we had a spread of talent, Domic / Solo / Ellis / Jeffries / Semi / Korki.... They were all playing at their peak together and it would be difficult to single out who to take out to weaken us.

With the exception that we need Smith to put it all together, perhaps this years squad is similar, in that the likes of Schoey can't name more than 2 who he thinks can cut it, but we all know there are way more threats in our side than that.

IF we are fit enough, and stay healthy enough, we CAN make the 8 - no joke!

I tink you are 100% correct here, why so many readers give any credence to his articles is beyond me. As you say it sells the paper

Watch the opposition coach and dugout when Ali comes on, its usually very animated with the water carrier putting in the big minutes on the pitch.

turn the argument around and out of the teams around you how many of their players would you swap for Kirmo and Smith. Not many I'd wager.

So reading this thread we can glean we aren't such a bad side after all, Smith, Kirmond, Godinet, McShane, Ryan, Collis, Hall, Lauitiiti, Sammut and Lyne all mentioned as possible 'special' players, that's almost a full team. I'm with TRB, I reckon this side is reminiscent of 2004, and will definitely do some damage this season certainly if we keep the squad fit. So watch out Mr Schofield, I think you're way off with your prediction (again) and there will be more journo's I'm sure in the next week or two getting it wrong. I can't wait for us to make them all eat their words.

The only problem with comparing this squad with the 2004 squad is that even if it is comparable the competition is much tougher. Only 12 teams in the league and bottom 4 at risk of going down.

Also the 2004 team was very well conditioned.

And you don't have a single back comparable to Demetriou, Semi or Domic, or a forward remotely comparable to Ellis, Solo, or even Elima. Other than that it's very similar.