Why not?

We were a cats hair from 4th without our h/backs last season...At least if we get Sammut we will have 1



We have more options in the h/backs Tansey (hopefully Whiting back if needed to cover f/back)...Also a ball playing 13 in Westerman, a very good winger Young Will (we virtually went all season without a decent winger)...Add that with Moa, Sir Fitz, Orgre, Manu, Briscoe etc we have a very good team.

Couldn't agree more.

Nice to have someone positive on here for a change instead of all the doom and gloom.With a bit of luck we should kick on what we attcheived last season with more conuity the key to our aspirations.

I agree to an extent but finishing 6th and knocked out of play-offs and challenge cup 1st round don't see it as much of a big achievement

And I couldn't agree more with you, about ageeing with BB




No reason why we can't enjoy a good season.
Sometimes all the doubting on here makes me wonder why some people bother to go.

Like i said with a more settled side now we should kick on.

It'll be interesting. You'd assume Wigan would be untouchable, top of the league last year and improved the side for this coming season.. but then everyone said the same about Leeds this time last year.

With regards to the others - Who knows how the new coaches will work out for Saints/Leeds? Saint's pack is one of the best in the league but it'll be interesting to see the affect of losing Cunningham. Also, playing at Widnes may impact them. McDermott isn't a proven coach and with Mcguire out for the start of the season it may be a tough start for them. Warrington have added another old player and surely they can't be as lucky as they were last season with the injury situation? It'll be interesting to see how Hudds perform - not really kept up to date with them.

We on the other hand, can't really not have Long/Horne for less games, have added 2 handy additions and not really lost anyone of note minus Berro. It'll depend heavily on how we replace Berro but 2 useful additions would stand us in good stead.

Good post, particularly about the new coaches at Leeds/Saints - will be very interesting as if we'd signed either as coach I reckon there would have been some on here complaining we should have kept Agar.

I personally think with the rumours on Long, and Horne not in full training, we'll have a rough start, but the good thing at this time of year, with Christmas done and 3 and a bit weeks to the first pre season friendly, is that hope springs eternal.

really?? ifeel a bit ill!!!!

As well as Eastmond potentially switching codes!

Eastmond's been injured more than Long (and still is) but if you believe what you read on here it's only old men that suffer injuries.

Quote ="Staffs FC"Eastmond's been injured more than Long (and still is) but if you believe what you read on here it's only old men that suffer injuries.'" www.loverugbyleague.com/news_473 ... ts-up.html

Quote ="Staffs FC"Eastmond's been injured more than Long (and still is) but if you believe what you read on here it's only old men that suffer injuries.'" www.loverugbyleague.com/news_473 ... ts-up.html

Because then we'll have no halves at all.

I think you will find that people tend to state that the older a player is the more likely they are to get injuries.

www.independent.co.uk/sport/gene ... 72426.html there is also a pice about sammut in the last paragraph linking him to us

www.independent.co.uk/sport/gene ... 72426.html there is also a pice about sammut in the last paragraph linking him to us

Our squad is very thin and a couple of injuries here and there will really decimate us. If we lose Houghton, Briscoe and one of Moa or O'Meley for decent periods of time, we're in trouble. Our back division frightens the life out of me because if we have more than two of them out at one time, we're struggling to replace them whereas the likes of Saints, Wigan, Leeds and Warrington can handle it. Long and Horne are bound to be injured for parts of the season once again too which obviously means lots of reshuffling and distruption. Berro will also be a huge loss to the squad, more so than people believe in my opinion.

I think people are expecting way too much of our squad next season. I'll be happy to make the play-offs again as I don't think it's completely out of the question that we fail to finish in the top 8. I personally think we'll make them but don't expect much more than that. Top 3 is a long way off when you consider for that to happen, only two teams can finish above us. I'd be interested to know why you believe we're better than this group of teams - barring two of them of course - Wigan, Warrington, Saints, Leeds, Huddersfield, Rovers and Bradford (could go either way with them this season)?

We've signed someone from aus, just don't know who. Someone not already playing Sl

With how thin we are looking at the moment (injury rumours permitting), I'd be happy with almost any signing....

wonder if we get 1 or 2 happy new year gifts,id say so,do people realy think we will go into the new season with the squad we have, plus berro going and burnett been sent out on loan,i dont think so personally.

Most teams would suffer losing key players long term.We will no doubt suffer injuries however we will cope, I remember watching Warrington at home last season loads of injuries but what a game (one of the best home games imo) players stood up to the plate the effort was outstanding. I disagree Berro will be a huge loss, I believe Westerman, Young Will and hopefully a player like Sammutt will be a huge gain. The only 2 teams I believe to finish above us are Wigan & Warrington, I do not believe the others are any better or worse. Our home record last season was very good we can hopefully maintain that, silly away games let us down Crusaders etc, we will have learnt from that area and improve in that area, and who knows we may actually get more than half a dozen games from Longy!

Any news today or tomorrow do you think, mate?

I'm sick of refreshing NewsNow/Twitter/Hull FC site!

It doesn't matter if your not first to the breaking news Tom lol

I don't want break it, I just want to know!

But when something comes up, I'll let you know

Excellent post imo

Also I don't see why Wigan, Saints, Leeds, Warrington are particularly better placed than us if they lose a centre. None of them have SOO players sitting on the bench waiting for a chance to play. All SL teams now must rely on youth development because of the limitations on overseas players and the salary cap - and I'm happy that we are definitely going in the right direction there. Apart from the young players we already have, the creation of the "academy" is groundbreaking stuff for the UK and ought to bear fruit in the medium term too. We are probably two signings away from a more stable situation but I'm sure we don't need to panic yet - the squad is capable as it is.