No shadow of a doubt this signing has come through Jon Sharp, but I think its a very smart signing when you look at the injury crisis we've had this year.

He can cover 1, 6 and 7, all positions which we've had major injury problems at this season so his utility value will be highly anticipated.

FWIW I think we should go with...

6. Horne
7. Thorman

Either Dykes or Webster has to go, and tbh i'd rather it was Dykes, we'll get more game time from Webster and he isn't on the quota!

We still need a new centre though imo!

rich horne would be a world class centre.. he has everything you need as a centre , pace passing and tackling... also i think thorman would be great partner with dykes and horne outside them both would be fansastic

The one year is great news for Hull, we can look for a top overseas halfback for 2010, which i think Agar will be trying to do on his trip.

Gives Thorman a chance to earn a deal, and if does well we could possible use Horne in another position. (Or this season if Dykes stays fit

)

By signing Thorman we are stronger for 2009.

I think Huddersfiled have taken the wrong option and should have kept Thorman and released Robinson.

For the Rovers troll, he would get into Rovers team in front of Cooke, as he is a better allround halfback than Cooke and more consistant.

imo thorman will be back up 7,6 and 1 in that order. he isn't better than tony or byrne at full back, horne at stand off or dykes at 7 but no doubt someone will get injured so he'll give us good cover.

I'd have me in front of Byrne at FB, he offers nothing from there IMO.

Should be either used as wing cover or shipped off (if possible)

Decent value for money signing. Fed-trained, which will give you more options when you look at making a more high profile signing. Actually, could you claim him as club-trained?

No you have to be under a certain age or spent time in your youth system.

Huddersfield reasons for letting him go: giantsrl.dnsupdate.co.uk/latestN ... Index=2357

Huddersfield reasons for letting him go: giantsrl.dnsupdate.co.uk/latestN ... Index=2357

Can't say we haven't lacked organisers and a decent kicking game this year, so no arguments on that one, but this rubbish from Rule about him being a good guy off the pitch, yeah right, why was he suspended a couple of seasons ago by Huddersfield following very disturbing night club incidents with females then?

I know, but he was with the pre-merger Gateshead's academy before going to Sheffield wasn't he? You've enough homegrown players that it doesn't matter, I just wondered if could if you wanted to.

slight dig

And he was never with Gateshead, they didnt have a team, he started with Sheffield.


His brother played for Gateshead.

calm down i was saying he qwas trying to be clever git

Webster counts on the non-fed and Dykes is twice the player he is.

Yes. sorry. Thorman is decent player, a bit underrated IMO, experienced and gives Agar some extra options/cover at half back without using another non-fed spot.

Only my opinions of course. But his safeness is probably the reason he has so many GB caps.

IMO Horne has got a brilliant step.
Remember about two seasons ago think when we was on that brilliant run of 13 games or what ever. We was playing Salford away and losing, then pops up horney 10metres away under their sticks, runs side steps two players and goes in for the try.
I think he's always side stepping, and usually to great affect.

No offence Carl, but what you hope for and what is a realistic target are two very different things.

The phrase of "Underwhelming" is used virtually every time Hull make an announcement. Are there those out there who seriously expect every signing to be a GB, NZ or Aus international?

So far we have either signed or re-signed Thackrey, Horne (nearly), Calderwood, Crocker and Thorman. All of which have played international RL. Maloney is the best from the NL who we are giving a chance to. I seem to recall that current St'Helens winger, Ade Gardener was signed from Barrow, proving there can be a few hidden gems in the lower leagues.

Exactly. Though Crocker is the only signing I have been really pleased with when you put all the signings together and think there could possibly be a couple more I think we will have well improved the squad for next season. Which is a big plus for me as I thought we would struggle. 2009 might not be a write-off after all

Add to that a number of players who barely featured last season due to injuries, I think we'll be fine (between 4th and 6th IMO).

We need a centre and a prop.

Horne's short kicking game is actually pretty good. Mid and long range are another matter, granted.

I honestly don't understand your point about Horne's step. As you say, maybe we've been watching two different players. I'm talking about Richard Horne - who have you been watching?

I think we mean different things by 'safe' TBH. Horne doesn't try for the miracle ball since his passing/creating game isn't strong enough. He does play off-the-cuff well when running the ball though, and there have been one or two other occasions like Tony's try over the years.

I agree Standee but i think it will be one or the other and not both

Not every signing, but for a half-back the team is meant revolve around at a club supposedly aiming at being top 4 regulars and aspiring to a GF win, definitely approaching that level of quality at least. Out of the 12 halfbacks the top 6 teams have, only 1 hasn't played international or SOO RL.

I agree he's the best on offer for 1 season whilst we wait to see if Dykes can manage 20 games. All I'm saying is that if you consider him on his own merits as a half-back being brought in, he's not top-4 team material.

Signings are underwhelming in my book if they are overhyped beforehand, a disappointing, anti-climactic inferior alternative after missing out on much better, or not as good those they are replacing in the team from the last 3 seasons. Particularly so if they are poor/average uses of the limited quota. Thorman, Cusack, Byrne, and Maiava all fit that description recently IMO.

If there is 1 positive to take out of this signing it's this:



Dykes doesn't look like he's going anywhere so if the worst comes to the worst what would you rather have?