I still cringe when I remember TS stating how it was important for us to start the 2023 season ‘under-cooked’.

It’s taken us 2 years to shrug that attitude from the squad.

Need to get Balmforth tied up, think he could be a sensation this year. Very positive first season, much fitter and playing with better players.

Really like his attitude. Get him tied up for a couple of years and see him thrive

Always a guy half full. But I just sense next year could see us do well. Not saying we gonna win GF but think we could be 6/8. If we can keep the spine fit IMO it's not a bad one..Always the optimist

Couldn't agree more and after seeing some of the pre season footage so far Balmforth has looked in great shape and pretty rapid too.

Might also be doing players some good knowing that spots are up for grabs in the team. With hooker for example, for the longest time that was Danny H's spot and the best you could hope for was to be his backup. Now there's a genuine opportunity for a player like Balmforth to claim a starting shirt in that position.

Need to be speaking to Balmforth soon as other clubs will be in a couple of weeks time.

Are you related to Bonaire?

That’s a fair point indeed RR. It does seem as though the wind of change has certainly blown through and the players have got on board with a completely refreshed setup and attitude.

Interesting comments from Abdul to about the conversations the players had with JC at the end of the season and the message he gave them all has had an impact.

An improvement in our fitness next season is essential, not just in keeping 13 on the pitch all game, but also stability.

Just checked back and last season in the Centres, Carlos and Sutty only started 5 games together. Coupled with our rotating/weaker 6/7 combinations, it shows that if we can keep our new signings on the park our back division should be performing significantly better next season.

Also playing for a coach who rates him,who will have a word in quiet with him and not slag him off in the press like someone else did.

I can hopefully now assume we will be fit and strong
The new facilities and professionalism will be worth an extra 2 points a game I’m sure !
So if we are on a level playing field and matching £ for £ on the salary cap and inc Marquis players then how do we finish Top 5 let’s say ?

The emphasis now must switch from talking about fitness/physio/facilities/culture and move to GAME TACTICS/PLAY

How good are JC and AL at building a game plan?
I don’t count Grix as he couldn’t coach a game plan into Skirlaugh Under 5s

How will we attack ? We couldn’t score in the proverbial brothel last season.
We looked truly awful and inept.
Devoid of ideas.

How do these players turn all that around ? Can they ?

That’s my thoughts heading into pre season going forward

We were atrocious in the opposition 10/20 last year. Abdull and Sezer alone will help that

Do we have a new social media manager this season? Because the pre-season content has been top notch compared to previous showings

Not sure but in fairness to whoever did last years you can't polish a turd, must have been demoralising to post another 50point score pic and then wait for the notifications to explode. Also by the sounds of things the training ground wasn't fit for viewing a year ago, lots more training videos this time round.

Wonder if the club will be planning a training camp in the algarve this winter?

Rapana has landed

Get him on the hills this morning to sort his jet lag

Rapana and Asiata in training, i make that everyone who's fit is now in training, not often that happens before December

Shows a fantastic attitude from Asiata. Wasn't due in while next Monday.

Looking at the social media clips, the attacking structure all ready looks slicker. Obviously fatigue and match day scenarios pending…. But some bright shoots I’d say.

In the Jed Cartwright interview he says that Asiata has been in before today (they say in the interview it was Sezers first day, so that must have been last week, and Asiata had already been around.) Great commitment and leadership already

Only his first session yesterday but i noticed on one of the clips that Rapana was in the centres during the drill, not to say that'll be where he lines up but just an observation.

Having said that I had heard that Moy has been killing it at FB.

After listening to the Jed Cartwrights interview what stuck me most was his comment about Cartwright Snr putting a phone ban in place when they first arrive at the training ground and until they leave. It's another sign of how professional things are now under Cartwright & Myler and another indication as how lax things have been previously with training been more a coffee morning and social than hard work & focus.

I imagine that Rapana is in the centres to ease him into training as he’s had a long flight. A lot less ground to cover and he probably won’t know plays yet

I imagine they’ll see him as a potential centre if needed (I think him at centre is my preference)