I fully agree, but we also don't know what other factors are in play eg family situations, cap headroom, financial budgets, competitive interest etc. Would be arrogant to assume it's a slam dunk IMO.

I don’t think anyone has been arrogant or assumed it’s a slam dunk.

I think it’s fair to view the positive aspects or plus points. There will always be the issues you reference but in some ways these can be lessened to a degree by the family/team environment within a club.

As I say a lot in the Diary it would be nice to know where we are on contracts because all we get is 'The daily Mail believes ...' stories and we really don't know where we are on such things. I understand it can be confidential and sensitive but its confusing when the media tell you something which the club never seem to confirm. It was the same last season and although players continued to play for us into this season we were never really found out if some had signed or not.

... I can't think of any, who's playing without the club confirming their contract status?

Quote ="Chris71"I don’t think anyone has been arrogant or assumed it’s a slam dunk. I think it’s fair to view the positive aspects or plus points. There will always be the issues you reference but in some ways these can be lessened to a degree by the family/team environment within a club.'" I agree, team spirit seems very good at the moment, but in addition to points already made we have lots of players OOC and Hodgson has only made one signing so far, so complex moving parts. Assuming we retain with "no problem" is a stretch IMO. This is the list of OOCs according to seriousaboutrl.com https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/every-pl ... lub-38516/ Jack Brown Joe Cator Jake Connor Bureta Faraimo Brad Fash Josh Griffin (reportedly signed new deal) Masi Matongo Manu Ma’u Ligi Sao Chris Satae Andre Savelio Adam Swift Mitieli Vulikijapani Connor Wynne

Quote ="Chris71"I don’t think anyone has been arrogant or assumed it’s a slam dunk. I think it’s fair to view the positive aspects or plus points. There will always be the issues you reference but in some ways these can be lessened to a degree by the family/team environment within a club.'" I agree, team spirit seems very good at the moment, but in addition to points already made we have lots of players OOC and Hodgson has only made one signing so far, so complex moving parts. Assuming we retain with "no problem" is a stretch IMO. This is the list of OOCs according to seriousaboutrl.com https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/every-pl ... lub-38516/ Jack Brown Joe Cator Jake Connor Bureta Faraimo Brad Fash Josh Griffin (reportedly signed new deal) Masi Matongo Manu Ma’u Ligi Sao Chris Satae Andre Savelio Adam Swift Mitieli Vulikijapani Connor Wynne

I keep hoping we've done some deals and are waiting for the right PR time to announce. Like after being dumped out of the cup by 2nd faves Wigan for example. Oh, hang on

Looking at the ooc list there seems to be pretty slim pickings, I'd maybe have a look at one of the senior twins to add some depth to the backs but doesn't seem to be much in the way of props, I'd maybe take a punt on Pauli Pauli if we could get him firing he'd be absolutely devastating on the edges or through the middle.

Thought he was great this weekend.

If you’d said Pauli Pauli when he was at Wakefield I’d disagree but since he moved to Salford he’s been a better player, so I agree he’d be worth a punt. I think that the coaches we have and the ethos they have brought to the club they would be able to get more out of him too.

I think he could be a good fit especially if he buys into what Hodgson is trying to do. He sometimes comes across as a little lazy but his sheer size causes so many problems.

I agree he's become a better player since moving to Salford.

Haven't read any apart from the 1st page

Lawler isn't better than what we've got in fact he's worse than players like savielo

Need to be looking to upgrade not downgrade

Quote ="Mrs Barista"I agree, team spirit seems very good at the moment, but in addition to points already made we have lots of players OOC and Hodgson has only made one signing so far, so complex moving parts. Assuming we retain with "no problem" is a stretch IMO. This is the list of OOCs according to seriousaboutrl.com https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/every-pl ... lub-38516/ Jack Brown Joe Cator Jake Connor Bureta Faraimo Brad Fash Josh Griffin (reportedly signed new deal) Masi Matongo Manu Ma’u Ligi Sao Chris Satae Andre Savelio Adam Swift Mitieli Vulikijapani Connor Wynne'" For me the only ones I would not renew is Masi and I can't see Faraimo staying.

Quote ="Mrs Barista"I agree, team spirit seems very good at the moment, but in addition to points already made we have lots of players OOC and Hodgson has only made one signing so far, so complex moving parts. Assuming we retain with "no problem" is a stretch IMO. This is the list of OOCs according to seriousaboutrl.com https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/every-pl ... lub-38516/ Jack Brown Joe Cator Jake Connor Bureta Faraimo Brad Fash Josh Griffin (reportedly signed new deal) Masi Matongo Manu Ma’u Ligi Sao Chris Satae Andre Savelio Adam Swift Mitieli Vulikijapani Connor Wynne'" For me the only ones I would not renew is Masi and I can't see Faraimo staying.

Agreed, Mitch will be a hard decision as we might not see him play. Could really do with him getting some lower league RL experience on loan somewhere

Won’t be lawler ; he’s going to Wigan .

Been a nosey on the Wigan FC cup thread over on the Wigan board, and noticed a lot of there fans bemoaning their forwards, a couple mentioned one of their youngsters called Ben Kilner saying how he should of been in the squad and given a chance as apparently he's a very good prospect. Turns out he's left for a full time job I'm assuming lack of reserve grade has forced his hand. Could be a clever option for us. Looks a big unit 6ft5 and 17st https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Kil ... gby_league)

Been a nosey on the Wigan FC cup thread over on the Wigan board, and noticed a lot of there fans bemoaning their forwards, a couple mentioned one of their youngsters called Ben Kilner saying how he should of been in the squad and given a chance as apparently he's a very good prospect. Turns out he's left for a full time job I'm assuming lack of reserve grade has forced his hand. Could be a clever option for us. Looks a big unit 6ft5 and 17st https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Kil ... gby_league)

Quote ="Rocknrolla69er"Been a nosey lover on the Wigan FC cup thread over on the Wigan board, and noticed a lot of there fans bemoaning their forwards, a couple mentioned one of their youngsters called Ben Kilner saying how he should of been in the squad and given a chance as apparently he's a very good prospect. Turns out he's left for a full time job I'm assuming lack of reserve grade has forced his hand. Could be a clever option for us. Looks a big unit 6ft5 and 17st https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Kil ... gby_league)'" Single game for Wigan when they got beat 42-0 by Saints, then four loan games for Rochdale all of which they lost. If Wigan are picking the likes of Byrne and Shorrocks over him maybe he’s best left to his new career.

Quote ="Rocknrolla69er"Been a nosey lover on the Wigan FC cup thread over on the Wigan board, and noticed a lot of there fans bemoaning their forwards, a couple mentioned one of their youngsters called Ben Kilner saying how he should of been in the squad and given a chance as apparently he's a very good prospect. Turns out he's left for a full time job I'm assuming lack of reserve grade has forced his hand. Could be a clever option for us. Looks a big unit 6ft5 and 17st https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Kil ... gby_league)'" Single game for Wigan when they got beat 42-0 by Saints, then four loan games for Rochdale all of which they lost. If Wigan are picking the likes of Byrne and Shorrocks over him maybe he’s best left to his new career.

Quote ="Rocknrolla69er"Been a nosey lover on the Wigan FC cup thread over on the Wigan board, and noticed a lot of there fans bemoaning their forwards, a couple mentioned one of their youngsters called Ben Kilner saying how he should of been in the squad and given a chance as apparently he's a very good prospect. Turns out he's left for a full time job I'm assuming lack of reserve grade has forced his hand. Could be a clever option for us. Looks a big unit 6ft5 and 17st https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Kil ... gby_league)'" Hull are aware of Bens situation RnR.

Quote ="Rocknrolla69er"Been a nosey lover on the Wigan FC cup thread over on the Wigan board, and noticed a lot of there fans bemoaning their forwards, a couple mentioned one of their youngsters called Ben Kilner saying how he should of been in the squad and given a chance as apparently he's a very good prospect. Turns out he's left for a full time job I'm assuming lack of reserve grade has forced his hand. Could be a clever option for us. Looks a big unit 6ft5 and 17st https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Kil ... gby_league)'" Hull are aware of Bens situation RnR.

We should be looking at getting him here for the rest of the season, with Bowden and Taylor out for another 4 weeks, he would certainly get a couple of games.

Picking Shorrocks and Byrne doesn't automatically mean theyl perform better than him, if you read the Wigan comments about him they are really positive, at the moment we very thin on the ground for props and let's face it whos out there? I think it'd be a shrewd signing he's a big unit and a good age could be a good replacement for Matongo, playing In a defeat or looking at who he went on loan too isn't a measure of a player in my opinion. I think you get a better idea of a player reading the forums and reading fans comments and opinions.

Really?

Obviously you would watching them live

But unknown players such as Ben , my point is you get a better idea about them reading fan forums , and opinions of fans who see a lot more of them as opposed to judging them by who they've been on loan too, I think that's a pretty reasonable point.

A good example is Satae who everyone presumed was a ten minute impact prop, but when you actually read the New Zealand Warriors forums, they actually spoke of how he had a massive engine and could play big minutes. You get a better insight sometimes. Hope that clears it up.

'"

So far

Griffin
Connor
Brown
Cator
Satae
Swift

Are all rumoured to have either signed a new deal or spoken about a desire to stay at Hull, hopefully these will all stay along with Ma'u and Sao.

Sign a UK winger to replace Faramio and a quota prop to replace Masi.

Satae quoted in todays HDM that he is enjoying it in Hull and couldn't imaging playing anywhere else. Must be the pork and stuffing sandwiches

Reading the piece in the HDM its looks like Satae is very happy and wants to stay which is very promising, hopefully Sao will also re sign. Mau is a difficult one as undoubtedly a very good player but not shown his best though I think with BH we will certainly see a much better Mau this season and you can never tell if he's happy or not.

As for Faraimo, I like him and for me I'd have him on the wing instead of Fonua , he also looks to have worked hard on his game (tackling technique aside) in pre season, though I think we may well see him at Cas next season. We need some pace out wide other than Swift.