Don`t spoil it Paul,it saves me from buying [size=150viz[/size

Just had it confirmed,its billy graham whose signed for you.!

Nope, it's the self-named King of Hull re-linking with his favourite coach without the upheaval of moving. FACT.

Can you imagine the quantity of blond wigs the club shop would shift

Not without a little help sometimes.

I agree, 1 of each. That's why I said it depends on Dowes/Lauaki, as if we keep one it affects what sort of forward we need to bring in most. I still think Paul Johnson coming in initially as a 5th prop would be a good move too, if possible. If we can't get a genuinely class centre I'd sooner leave that for next season and not leave the pack short, as we've potentially got a right mess there for 2013.

Without meaning to sound nasty, I hope he does. I just don't see a use for him next year.

Wonder if they will try another approach for stuart fielden maybe although I would still like Andy Lynch myself

Really? Surprised you've not mentioned it.



Seriously, though, if we were to bring in one of those 2 for next season, we'd have a set of props with an average age of 30. When one of those props is only 25 that's some going. We need younger blood bringing in, our pack as a whole is getting old.

In fact, I've just totted up: Our pack of signed up forwards (excluding hookers) for next year has an average age of 28. By the end of May it will be nearer 29. And that's with Westerman at 22 dragging the average down.

My worry is that our pack is approaching it's sell-by date, and at roughly the same time as both Warrington's and Leeds'. I'm not confident that if we leave it to come down to a fight for players between us and those 2 teams that we'll even come off 2nd best.

Problem is - who? from where? How much?
That's been the age-old problem for us over the years (Discounting Westerman).
We can all have our 'wish list' but who has the b@lls to actually come out and sign some 'great players', not 'good players'?
Maybe with the previous board now gone, AP will back the signing of great players. Just thinking back, that's how it started in the late 70's with the signing of Vince Farrar and then Knocker, then the snowball effect became the norm. To be a 'Great Team' again, we must adopt something off the cuff in terms of signings,firstly with the importance of a top coach - the most important signing.

We need to have Bowden as our fifth choice prop next year imo. Think Aldous, unfortunately, is too small.
I would still sign Johnson, but have him in the rotation with Moa, Radford & O'Meley.

Where's Laurence Pearce been playing?

Anyone think we might be interested in Peter Gentle? According to the RL press today(reportedly, not seen it first hand), he's "withdrawn" from the Cas recruitment process, and Hudgell is categorical he's not going there, but he has been over here recently. Other suitors probably Wakey and possibly Bradford given their abysmal season? Just a thought.

It's all getting very interesting. He's been over here a few weeks, presumably not just to take in a few games and to see the sights of Northern England.

Could do with a few announcements from the likes of Wigan and Cas to make the situation a little clearer. Or preferably from Pearson of course.

I'd be astonished if Wakefield could snare the Australian assistant coach.

Not sure, with my growing apathy to watching Hull FC, I've stopped going this year.

The last few times I did go I agree that Bowden was the standout. Johnson's also capable of playing 2nd row, so he'd also offer that option if Bowden looks ready for a few games.

Agreed, it would be unusual if he's been over for so long to not end up coaching in SL next year, and as you say I just can't see him going to Wakey. If Lam is confirmed at Cas, that doesn't seem to leave many options.

My thoughts too, sort of why I thought Gentle to FC could be an attractive option for us and him. Not to mention the endless puns for the HDM headline writers. As you say, too many "known unknowns" at the moment - need some permutations to be eliminated.

AP indicated in that interview that October people would realise our intentions...

Morgan indicated when commentating in the C/up semis that he hoped all would be revealed in a week or so....



When does the Rugby Union World Cup finish

23rd October

or after october the 10th! SL grand final

Heard today we've signed Sam tomkins for 2012

Has this fool done enough to be banned yet?

Agar has an interview with two others at Wakefield this week, from a high profile ex Hull player in London this week. Pray let it be true and good luck Richard.

Lol yeah thought I might as well throw Andy Lynch name into the ring being one of the best props in super league and being english as well



I know where you are coming from regard the age thing but I am a big believer that props can go much longer in the game then say the backs as its usually your pace you lose as you get older not your strength. It all comes down to how well you have looked after your body and just hope u dont have a coach what will just flog u to death when u need a rest.

The reason I say Fielden and Lynch are they are both good props and can still do a Job and they are certainly an upgrade on the likes of Radford and dowes and we dont need to worry about the quota and I can see there clubs letting them leave for cash.

I think that definitely used to be true, but isn't so much any more. Playing past 34 at top flight level is very rare now, in fact plenty finish around 32. Even the great Webcke called it a day then (and he was only just 32 as well), and he kept himself in very good shape and played under the best coach around.



You know my feelings on transfer fees for over 30s. Just because we've got a new owner doesn't mean we have money to waste, it needs to be used more wisely than on soon-to-be-retired players for just 1 or 2 seasons.

So which youngsters would you go after who are actually able to compete at a high standard at super league already? And please dont say Burgess as he wants to go to the NRL so he would be a waste as we would help his progression only to see him jump ship.