I understand your concerns, I have similar views. It's hard to judge though until we know all of our recruitment. As it stand we have Ellis for Manu and Arundell for Turner which looks fine so far. They key will be finding the right 6 and a couple of props to replace Moa/Ogre.

Hull Fc don't do quality halfbacks anymore.

Let's see if the new regime as anything to say about that.

Oh right? What since the old regime you mean?
We had 4 HB's signed up for this year plus... couldnt really go adding in another couple of halfbacks of the new regime's choice due to Salary Cap. Everyone's quick to criticise when things aren't going to plan.

We do need a change, it won't come easy... Ellis is definitely on his way out. I believe Niklas' contract is up this year... we also have Horne and Seymour, depending on what the contract situation is with Horne it will be interesting to see what our options are.

Gotta keep the faith.

I still think it could mainly be the case that we don't necessarily need to significantly improve on all of the outgoing players. Currently, all of the top sides look to be facing significant losses for next season, so as long as in the main we don't suffer big drops in quality all over we may well catch up relatively anyway. IMO so long as we make a major improvement in the halves and bring in a couple of good props, we stand every chance of not being too far off if Gentle and Hay can continue improving the way we play.

With some of our squad it's not the ability that's lacking, it's the application/mentality. Bringing in slightly less talented players with greater desire, consistency, concentration, and general game sense could still see the side as a whole become stronger. We've had a half-decent group of players for a while, but they've rarely looked like the team they should be. Hopefully we'll start to become more than the sum of our parts.

According to Phil Clarke and OPTA, we have one of the best in SL ATM.

micky paea is nowhere near as good as lopini

That's quite a good point. As it stands, we only have Seymour and Ellis signed up who will be playing in the halves, and there are big rumours about Ellis, with no kids (AFAIK) close to being ready to play in the halves next year.

It's OK signing a Rangi Chase to play 6, but without a half decent third choice half at the club we could be looking at a 09/10 situation, playing with only 1 halfback.

I'd say Seymour is a quality halfback, I do take your point though. However, this is a new regime.

What is O'Meley supposed to be saying about things ? If it's too controversial then feel free to PM me.

Insinuating that Gentle doesn't like Bomber and that Bomber's interfering has cost us Turner and Manu. His missus said that Wade went home due to issues with the club and not homesickness.

just about anyone for £250k, Finch for starters

I'd just like to say that it isn't just O'Meley saying these things.

Like who ?

I don't expect AP is the kind of person to tolerate any antagonism between his charges. As normal with this kind of rumour BS, all there are are scant accusations and little in the way of credible fact. It would be easy for someone to spout this kind of thing against a regime that he's seemingly fallen out with.

So you wouldn't pay £250k for a 26-year-old under contract, but you would for a 30-year-old OOC at the end of the season?

I really think you're either deliberately trying to be controversial, or oblivious to the current state of the player market.

No player is bigger then the club. If you don't like it, bye bye.

I think Turner has reminded us the last few games why most on here didn't want him resigned, Arundel *could* be so much better. Manu is a loss offset by Ellis coming in, Bomber could be doing us a favour by not resigning them. We are still only half way through this season and people are complaining about next season!

FC fans amaze me at times, some are only happy when they are unhappy.

Enlighten us please Standee.

I'd rather use the money on Finch's salary.

Chase has done very little for Cas this season.

I wish people would forget about Rangi Chase, I would rather 250k or whatever is put to better use elsewhere if it exists.

We should be looking for the next Rangi Chase, there seem to be a string of young players like Dobson, Chase, Tommy Leulaui etc who don't fit to the NRL game but do ours. There must be a more players like that out there. Gentle and McRae with their experience coaching in Aus and contacts are better placed to find them.

Does anyone know if we have any official scouting presence in Oz ?

Just to add, as well: If O'Meley is commenting on how bad things are at the club and that McRae is costing the club players, why is he still supposedly keen to stay? Surely if it was that bad he'd want out too?

He's looked by far and away the best player for them in the games I have seen. When we beat them at there place he was the best half back on the park and single handidly kept them in the game. He's a quality player and anybody who thinks differently doesn't have a clue imo.

I guarantee! Absolute Gurantee Ellis will not be playing in the halves next season if you are relating to Jamie that is. Castleford. 2 year deal. Horse's mouth.

never said he isn't a quality player, he just doesn't strike me as a team player, he's a maverick "off the cuff" player.