No, just name a couple who are available (and we'll assume they'd want to sign for us).

Fash probably next to be announced

Fash should definitely get a new deal, cheap and rarely misses a game. Decent squad player, we need to sign better quality so that Fash isn't getting our POTY though.

If we can replace Wynne, Shaul, Houghton, Savelio, Lovodua and Evans with 5 forwards to improve our squad, I'll be happy.

I'd keep Savelio, but think he will go.

Undecided on Dywer, Mcnamara, Griffin and Taylor, depends on if there are better out there.

Keep the rest if possible

Hope so

But fash isn't gunna take us to the next level he's too lightweight moved to 2nd row last week and isn't elusive enough for 2nd row either

Likes of fash, Lane, brown are why we have gone backwards cause they are just average at best yet in our team every week

Wasn't that long ago we had a back row of minichello, manu and Ellis

Every team barring Warrington would take either of or both Satae and Sao I’d think . Ligi Sao , despite a dip, has been very good for us , when he’s played at prop and if he can work on his discipline , which I’m sure he will be, I wouldn’t be quick to see where we’d get better from , certainly in SL. I’d like to see us get a couple of damaging forwards to compliment him and Satae , if he is also staying , which is more likely given that Sao is , as they’re big mates off the field , but unearthing that sort of talent is difficult , but not impossible , given how Salford seem to manage it year on year.

Every team barring Warrington would take either of or both Satae and Sao I’d think

You must live in cloud cuckoo land.

I really don’t think TS will resign a player because he is a big mate of of another squad member but you never know with him he does sometimes make strange decisions.

We’d struggle in this market to replace Sao and Satae like for like.
And anyway, if these players are deemed good enough by TS that’s good enough for me.
We’ve been failing for years now and we’ve finally got a proven rugby man in now. Just have to trust in the process.
If he feels signing SKD will help develop the club further with leadership qualities, so be it.
People going on about having Ellis, Mini and Manu as a back row is fine, but not many teams in super league nowadays possess similar quality in their back row. Even when we had those players, we had people like like Brad Fash in and around the team.

Keith I’d resign Satae because , with adequate help by team mates , he is a very destructive and effective strike weapon. I merely mentioned his friendship with Sao as a possible motive for his next contract decision as a player , not the clubs and I make no assumptions that he has been offered a deal , I hope he has but , as always you interpret things with your usual ineptitude.

Ignore him Alf, shown his true colours and sad little life by setting up multiple accounts.

Is there any truth in the SKD rumour ? Would be a negative move for his current club , surely they wouldn’t allow that and will offer him a new deal?

I think Smith likes to surround himself with people he trusts, hence Gene being here.
SKD is in that bracket I think

Dont want SKD here - Got Galea and Gene written all over it. Hes done well at KR as a big fish in a small pond, not sure that would work the same here

a big fish in a puddle wouldnt work either

Constantly spot on mate.

Players like fash are essential in a salary cap sport. Low hit on cap and you know exactly what you get from them. In an ideal world he’s the sort of player you want as a back up but no one can say he has let us down one bit over the last few seasons.

To some extent I’d even consider giving Houghton and Taylor 1 year deals if the talent isn’t out there. Both had testimonies so their cap cost is reduced I believe. Both have had good seasons compared to majority of our squad. It’s just about getting the right deal from them. Reductions in what they’re on now. Could be massive in a salary cap sport. Similar with griffin, if cheap and no obvious replacements I’d give him another year.

Dwyer is too loose for me I think. Great going forward sometimes but is a liability in defence and has the brain farts where he scoots on 5th (like he did against hudds).

For me, a fit Savelio is a no brainer but TS seems to disagree. We’d need a top replacement because lane has offered nothing.

Cap dispensations are only relevant if you want to pay more and stretch the cap. If Pearson wants to pay down the COVID loans, increasing the wage budget is… a risk. But every choice in life carries risk. If he’s looking for any sort of loan forbearance, then it’d seem impolitic.

If Hull re-sign Taylor and Houghton, I’d feel kind of obligated to post a picture of Hugo Weaving in shades. Maybe one of them on an inexpensive deal to support the kids in reserve games and play first team as and when needed, sort of like we planned to use Keinhorst this year. Both though?

I had a look at Smith’s recruitment with us for 2020 (first year but threat of relegation impeded) and 2021 (free from that threat) and it was less radical than by memory had made it. My imperfect recall had a big move towards depth in 2020 then a pivot towards quality in 2021 but it was less dramatic than I remembered it, and the turnover of players not quite as high. I’d forgotten about Dan Murray, so there was quite a bit of movement, but not really tear it up and start again.

So, while I think ‘what will Hull do to rebuild?’ is an interesting question, I suspect it might be less than has been imagined - including by me and I was never drinking Tarquin’s kool-aid.

Danny Houghton had a good game last time out, but for me, translating that into another year contract is so far beyond common sense.

That one performance aside, he has been at best “meh” for around 4 seasons. Now there are reasons for this, playing all of every game possible in that time period a significant one.

However, for me he isn’t deserving of his current contract (self-triggered, remember), so giving him another one in my opinion would be full on lunacy. Danny’s legacy with Hull FC is set, but Tackle 52 was going on seven years ago…

The reason we are where we are is largely due to misplaced loyalty during signing and retention since 2017; hopefully this is now behind us, and we can begin a long overdue and desperately needed rebuild.

Taylor on the other hand has shown for most of this season that, if he can stay fit and motivated, he can provide solid minutes at prop if on a contract that financially works for us. A few too many “ifs” in that sentence, but there is an option there, as we have no true potential replacement in the club right now - whereas for Houghton, we do.

I know that sentiment is an essential part of supporting a team, but for the club it needs to be dispensed with completely.

I now await the “Houghton to join the coaching staff” posts…

Think it's time Houghton retire, my only worry is night then need two hookers depending on what happens with Balmforth and Dywer.

Hopefully next year Balmforth if still with us will start to get some game time. I believe he's 20 next year so if good enough should be around the squad. IMO think he will be with us

Mental to suggest Houghton and Taylor getting new deals. Both past it a while ago. Houghton last week aside, looked like he’s gone at least one season too far. And Taylor, when he’s actually played, has been bang average since 2019.

Hope the club don’t fall into the trap of extending deals based on performances this season, rather than what they’ve done over the course of their whole contract. Don’t care whether it’s on reduced money or not, they’ve not been good enough and they aren’t getting any better.

Rumours on the Facebook forum that Evans has been released, overseas prop/second rower to come in?

Just seen the same thing about Evans. Hope it's true

Wouldn't be that bothered if we didn't sign a replacement immediately. We've got Fash, Taylor, Sao, Satae with Brown and Gardiner too.

Probably realised he isn't getting a new deal and decided to go home early.

Seen a few mention Makatoa from Parra. Don't know how much is in it though

Yup it looks like he will be going back to Oz this week