And around and around and...
Cooke's story should be out in April, innit? Where do the years go?

Time flies MR.

i see, bit of a risk mind, a lot can change in a few months and players could change their minds if nothing is signed, but after supporting Hull City for years I trust AP to know what he is doing



Paul Cooke's got an autobiography coming out?

Johnson, Crookes & McDonnell all 100%. I think Holdsworth is also done. Deal with Chase agreed a while back, purely visa issue now or it was maybe they have it now.

Bateman deal is done, only issue is Bradford situation but apparently he is coming regardless.

Taylor wanted and he wants to come but don't know how close it is.

This sounds very good indeed

While not doubting Paul M or any of the other posters claiming we've signed Bateman, to sign the best English second rower and the best up and coming second rower (for some years) would be unbelievable recruitment.

As good as Tickle (I'd presume the Bateman signing was to replace him) and Manu have been, and let's face it they've carried us, Ellis and Bateman would take us to another level.

how would you compare mcdonnel against Mckinnon???
dont know much about Mcdonnel and to be fair he has on the couple of ocassions i have seen him looked very average
has anyone got any other view???

Do you think Ellis is better than Westwood and Hock?

Similar players in style though McKinnon was ahead in every aspect apart from professionalism (allegedly).

McDonnell's younger and no doubt cheaper and hopefully has 2 hamstrings.

Yes.

I would say that Ellis is in the top 10 players on the planet IMO, westwood and Hock are big classy units but Ellis is that and so much more.

Gotta say also isnt it mouthwatering to think we could have all those three playing for GB at the end of the season for once!!!!!

Looking at the Rovers squad this year me, my dad and a number of people we've talked to over the season questioned whether they were using the full salary cap,

maybe this is to help fund the new stand

I'll still believe it when it happens but the information I have been told is very detailed to be made up.

Lets hope your right Sheldon, if he is near to Mckinnon he is good enough for me, dont like his ethic but as a player Mckinnon was close to being the best FB I have seen play for FC!! (not quite tho)

If he digs in, he will know by May that he has a player in his squad that has signed for someone else with the changes to the anti-tampering date. If its us, he will regret not taking the money - mind you he can obviously afford to underight the 500k loss from the this year.

God i hope your right Paul, those would alongside Ellis and existing players make us a really powerful unit to play, REALLY powerful and for years to come too

Isnt it nice to see us building for the future for a change rather than instant fix contracts

I actually think they are quite similar. Both are good attacking full backs and reasonably sound in their defensive duties. Have been impressed with the way McDonnell joins the attack and appears to have good hands just as McKinnon did. I think he will complement our new back line perfectly well.

would you consider him pacey??

Yes.

Thanks pal, seems a decent shout then

Chase been spotted trying on the black and white ... By mcgoldrick

By a country mile , do you think he is better ?

Are you saying that you don't?

It's subjective. All 3 are quality. It's doubtful Tony Smith would swap Ellis for Westwood, it's doubtful Wane would swap Hock for Ellis, and we probably wouldn't swap him for either.

I wonder which one mcnamara leave out of starting 13