I believe a lot rides on how the Green/Dobson pairing will hold up. I know a lot of Hull fans on here were ecstatic when we signed Longy, but so far, for one reason or another, he hasn't really shown us what he can do at his full potential.

Difference being last season we got the rub of the green in a lot of the close games. Other teams have recruited better than we have. The fact remains we are relying on an injury prone Horne and an ageing Long to play the majority of the games.

Also our habit of starting well could be hit this year with a hard start to the season.

wigan-improved squad
wire-consistent
saints-steady top 3 team
hull-if our hb's stay reasonably fit
leeds-transitional period
bulls-major overhaul,but potter will improve them
giants-strong
salford-one or 2 decent signings-improve
__________
rovers-dobson gets injured,out for season-struggle


catalans
cas
wakey
crusaders
quins

TBF we struggled to get a partner for Dobson all season last year(Webster, Murrell) so at least having a recognised off half should be beneficial.

Huddersfield haven't lost brown

nice to see an aussie(or any foreigner) respecting and keeping to their contract!! good on him.

1. Wigan
2. Leeds
3. Warrington
4. St Helens
5. Huddersfield
6. Hull
7. Hull KR
8. Bradford

9. Salford
10. Castleford
11. Catalans
12. Crusaders
13. Wakefield
14. Harlequins

On the other hand, a positive fan would suggest that a team makes their own luck. You could also argue that we were unlucky to lose some very close games (Crusaders, Salford, Leeds) and had we won those games we would have indeed finished in the top 4.

Yes we are relying on Horney and Long, but I believe if we can string some games together and the continuity of the largely unchanged squad could prove more successful then the majority think.

exactly.this is where,hopefully,consistency will come in.

Do apologise, thought he had gone back home, I have been working away for a good while.

To be fair Rupert I was going to put Hudds further down the table due to Brown going. It was only when i went to double check who their new coach was that I realised he had decided to stay.

For some reason, I just dont see Anderson as a head coach, maybe its just his face lol

William Hill gave us joint 6th favourite with Bradford at 25/1.

Wigan favourites as you'd expect and there's good money to be won if you back Leeds at 9/2

Rovers and Les Cats are 33/1

It is very interesting this year that for the first time in 4 years the excitement and expectation has been muted. By the time the last 3 seasons kicked off the fans (me included) were almost at fever pitch about Hull FC's prospects. This season it is different, the squad barely changed, this has not fired the fans enthusiasm. However East Hull FC Fan raised a very good point about continuity and I go with him. I started a job 6 months ago and am only just starting to feel part of the scenary, and that is without moving homes. I fully expect the Hull squad to surpass last season's acheivements, with the big names now hopefully settled - top 3 for me, dont really care where the others finish

Yet these same people on about continuity have Warrington finishing lower.

Pumpkin- not only do you have Brown going you have also created a UK league and a numbering system without a 10!! Where have you been?

Simalar for last season for us bewtween 5th and 7th IMO.

I think we have a slightly stronger squad as it stands, better props, attacking LF and 2 good wingers.

If we use Berrigan at centre and Houghton at hooker we will also be stronger in that position.

Big key is getting more games out of halfbacks, Tansey should be used as backup with Whiting at FB. Nicklas to get a few games at halfback also a key.

I'm expecting a big season from Tansey if he can cut out his error rate he has chance of international rugby.

We lost a few games last year that we shoud have won, so if we can turn them into points who knows.

6th place or above and a good challenge cup run will do for me.

I think the top 4 will be the same as last year, in fact I expect the top7 to be in the 8 with Bradford replacing Crusaders.

Not picking on you btw Dave pal, just fancied dipping my toes into posting for once!

Agree pal



Makes us laugh how people think a e coach can get us to success just because he's been there for too bloody long

Have I missed a signing?

Fitzgibbon

Thats my thinking

4 props of Fitz, O Meley, Moa and Radford

is better than what we ahd last year.

No problem thats what it's all about.

How would the partnerships work though? By pairing Fitzgibbon and O'Meley then you would have circa 40 minutes a game with neither on the pitch. Splitting them would mean that it would be very infrequent to see them both on the pitch at the same time.
I just dont see Agar moving Fitzgibbon up to the front row.

He'll spend more time being flogged at 13 than he will being properly spelled at prop