The only chance we stand of signing him is if Manu leaves because I would be stunned if we had 4 big earners in Tickle, Manu, Westerman and Ellis all in the backrow.

May be controversial but I would rather keep Manu over signing Ellis.

Yes he has been good the last two games, not sure why a few people are getting on his back. I noticed this at the ground on Friday too.

He does go through spells of not quite hitting his usual standards but I think that's usually down to carrying a knock. I think some of our fans aren't happy unless they have a player to complain about.

I've said something similar about Manu in the past. Not many back rowers offer what Manu does.

Who's complaining I merely made a comment regarding offering him a new contract (and that goes for any of our players that maybe OoC at the end of the year). We need to make sure that we have covered off all our options and looked at the market before commiting to any deals. If Pearson is serious about getting this club competing at the top table then we need to be certain that we have recruited the best players available (if affordable).

Not sure why you think the comment was aimed at you?

My paranoia

He's not making the impact that he was this time last year, but 'going through the motions' - rubbish.

As has been said regarding Ellis, unless one of Manu, Westerman or Tickle were either leaving or moving position (Tickle to prop for instance), then I wouldn't sign him.

It'd be daft to have such a large proportion of the salary cap spent on back rowers.

More chance of us getting Agar back. Almost every SL would be interested and he wouldn't pick us over a team that will be competing top 6 or his home town club. I might take a bit of time or us to be top 6 realistically and IMO he might want to join a club that are more likely to win trophies before the end of his career. Not a chance of getting him. Hope I am wrong because he is a quality player.

I actually agree with the point you were making.

could david howes strike again for us

I disagree, I think we have a good chance of getting him (if we really want him). Bomber can be persuasive when he puts his mind to it and then there is the "Gentle Factor". There will be some decent signings next season regardless.

Transformation had been huge at this club in the past 8 months or so. The current squad is not gentles team and the players we have in my opinion are no were near good enough for top 4 or even top 6. It will take a few years for us to become a top 4 team and a team that might win something. As the saying goes Rome wasn't built in a day! I think Ellis would rather end his career on a high at his hometown club of Cas or at a too SL team winning trophies. There is the Gentle factor but I don't think that will sway him. Annoys me when fans go mental and think we will win CC and finish top 4 this year. We are not a big team anymore! We need to gradually improve as hope we can get back where we belong.

in your opinion, which is what this place is all about. I did actually suggest it was early to start passing judgement on his longer term value.

Fair point, but Gentle has gone on record as saying if and when he comes on the market he will be 1st in the queue, so with that in mind (in my opinion) we will stand a decent chance of landing him. I agree we are not a big team anymore and it will take time to re-build.

Reckon will end up at leeds or Wire

Got a sneaky feeling for Cas, I don't think winning things will be uppermost in his thoughts. He's won the Grand final over here and has proven himself in the NRL, think he'll just want to play for his favourite club for a couple of years before retiring.

Although I will never be able to prove it he'll end up playing for he team that offers to pay him the most money.

I'd love to see us sign Ellis but we need to prioritise our spending. Next season we will be weaker at prop with Moa leaving (he has basically said that this will be his last year in SL due to family reasons) and we need to get a good replacement for him. Unless Tickle moves up to prop, leaving a hole in the second row, then I think that we need to spend our money on a quality prop.
Then there's the issue of a right-centre and right-winger.

had the old board still been here their would no way ellis would end up at hull kath and gary would make sure he goes back to leeds lol

It would be a long-shot, but I am glad we are showing an interest.

Ellis is a genuine world class player, and signings like him will show a big signal of intent.

Ellis is world class and therefore of course we should throw our hat into the ring.

I just hope we find out where he is bound soon rather this story dragging on for months.

[urlhttp://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Hull-FC-hunt-sign-Gareth-Ellis-McRae/story-15342982-detail/story.html[/url

If his agent does his job properly a long-drawn out bidding war will commence. Just look at how long Willie Mason's agent dragged out his move to the UK!

I'd love us to sign ellis but think that the cost of him would mean even more compromises in the squad than we already have. It will take another 3 years for us to get more balance for the salary cap spend. In all honesty, we have the weakest squad of any team spending at, or near, the cap. There must be some players on much inflated contracts when you look at the quality of players we have compared to other teams

Would be a great signing,has won wests player of the year 3 years running,oozes determination and quality and is a great chance for adam pearson to show his intention to make us a top 2 club.Wont be cheap,but 2 years from one of the worlds best players can only be good.!