I was thinking this morning about how good this squad really is.

I believe that this is a better squad than won the cup in 2005 and the Grand Final squad of 2006. Back then everything seemed to be on the back of Cooke and we only seemed to attack left. I can't remember the last time that we looked so dangerous both ways. I certainly can't remember having so much pace in our 3/4 line.

Shannon is a fantastic full back in my opinion. I liked him at HKR and I like him even more now for seeing him week in, week out.

In DJ and Horne we seem to have that combination of direction, kicking and pace, and we are about to add to that. We seem to be covered in the halves for the first time in years.

In the forwards we have a combination of youth and experience. We have power, aggression and some genuinly skillful forwards. We have 2 hookers that offer very different things, but we seem to add another dimension to our play every time we interchange them.

We have fringe players who dont make you nervous when they come in.

Throughout the team our defence is tight and we seem to take a real pride in our goal line defence. One of the most pleasing things I saw last night was the post match huddle. Team spirit is clearly high and they are obviously backing each other.

I really believe that this squad could go on to great things.

Sliced bread?

I was sort of asking a question lol. Since the 80's? I suppose its got to win something first.

Defence reminds me of the Brian smith era .

Attack reminds me of the end of the mcrae era

yeah, I see what you mean there. Overall, i'd say this squad is better though. Agree?

Dunno. We would have got to the GF in 2004, maybe even won it if our season hadn't collapsed due to a crippling injury list

The 2004 squad was better, IMO. Some truly world class talent in there.

I'd say we've had an equally crippling one this year too.

I'm trying to post the 2 squads on here to compare but can't find them?

We scored 151 tries in Super League that season. Briscoe, Best, Yeaman, Barnett Jnr, Raynor, Whiting and Horne all got into double figures.

As Jake said, the injuries probably cost us a place at Old Trafford. Jason Smith and Barnett Snr both missed half the games that year. Those two and Swain in the same squad was amazing.

attitude of the team reminds me of the inverse of the Agar era

Playing members of the 2004 squad were

Colin Best
Richie Barnett
Michael Eagar
Gareth Raynor
Richard Horne
Richard Swain
Paul King
Richard Fletcher
Jason Smith
Kirk Yeaman
Shane McMenemy
Paul Cooke
Chris Chester
Ewan Dowes
Alex Wilkinson
Garreth Carvell
Paul McNicholas
Graeme Horne
Peter Lupton
Richie Barnett Jnr
Liam Higgins
Andy Bailey
Richard Whiting
Danny Hill
Shaun Briscoe
Kirk Dixon
Nick Scruton
Andy Last

There were some others who were in the squad but never made an appearance: Prekkie, Jowitt, West, Benjafield and O'Loughlin. Hill, Dixon and Last only made five appearances between them.

Looking at that, i'd say the main difference is that the 2004 squad looks more established and experienced. I think our backs now are at least as good and I dont think there's much between the forwards.

these threads are destined to come back to haunt us

we beat Wire, one game, lets start the accolades if we lift a trophy.

I did say that I supposed this squad had to win something first (although the 2004 one never). There's no harm in comparing squad depth and quality is there?

There's every harm in crowing after one win, it can make us look foolish.

Got to agree.

Would love a Richie Barnett snr in our 2013 side. Remember admiring him at London and was well made up when he signed for us. Had a bit of mongrel in him as well.

That's a point, what happened to Barnett Jnr?

Playing for Keighley last I heard.

Was banned for two years in 2008 for a drugs offence, now playing for Keighley Cougars.

There's only two Richie Barnetts!

Hadn't heard about the drugs offence, was a reasonable player.

Keighley, I remember playing them (in the cup?) one season and one of our players went down like he'd been shot in the first 5 minutes..not sure who it was though.

hes at Keighley now via warrington, salford and a 2 years drugs ban then sheffield