Because i think that on the whole we have better players, are more well balanced , have more stability and understandings and are better coached.

As well as i limited team that is weaker than last season......if they get off to a bad start....this may be the season the natives get on Morgans back.

Two out of five isn't bad I guess.

Yep, slightly better than three out of ten i would say.

Well Balanced?.....your pack is very weak and doesnt have stregth in depth and for better players....time will see but id stack our 2010 team against yours.

Oh how I would larf !!!!!

Our pack is certainly not weak, it may not have the strength in depth as yours does but if the signing of a good prop comes off, its a pack that is very capable.

You guys on here believed you had a better squad than ours for the last two seasons, the squad counts for nothing on paper.

Erm Doh, Your signing Clinton. Feel free to read my sig !!!

True the squad counts for nothing and we didnt have strength in depth either like we have this season..............IF injuries hit you like they have hit us for the last 2 seasons will you cope...i dint think you will but we will.

I see your point, Im sure there are a few nice comments from the Roosters coaching staff regarding O'Meley's departure.

By the way I like both players.

No doubt your set of forwards can cope with injuries, plenty of depth there.

Think we have depth in backs as well but halves are a worry.....we need to keep Long fit and Horne needs to get his form back....IF them 2 fire and stay fit...then anything can happen.....at least they will get protection off the forwards....if they dont there will be something seriousely wrong

If i were a Hull fan the thing that would worry me most would be the lack of another playmaker after Sean Long. If he gets injured you may be in the same boat of last season of moving players such as Berrigan and Washbrook away from the positions were they have the most impact for your team. If Berro moves to half, who will share the hooking duties with Houghton?

You will go well if all this can happen, any long term injury to Long and your really relying on your pack. Full back could also be a little problem for both clubs if injury occurs.

I see you point too. We could both be very deflated about our signings come June.

Both players had coaches who were basically happy just to get shut of them.
Henjak was willing to get shut of Clinton before finding a replacement and has even stated he is prepared to run without a replacement which to me stinks of him simply wanting rid of him asap.

"It is a bit late to go into the market and get anyone of any quality," Henjak said. "So we might keep our powder dry until next year."

Im sure I have read a similar story about Omeley too.Both players have a hell of a lot to prove !!

Jordan Turner is allegedly half decent at cover for Long. Berro may move once again into the positon and allow Houghton to start as Hooker. Cover at fullback does seem very weak though !

I think you can say the same about any club losing their main playmaker TBF.

Turner will provide decent cover at off-half, not so much at scrum-half. A problem you have had for a while. Yes Berro can cover but once again its shifting the team considerably around.



Your right, the good thing with us though is that we have Galea who has proven to be very good cover in the halves.

I would disagree with that to be honest. If you look at most of, if not all of the top clubs, they are not reliant on one player.

Whiting did a cracking job there last season when he filled in....or maybe time to unleash another Briscoe in that posistion as Jack is supposed to be very good but too young for me.

The majority of NRL players that come across do so because either they weren't cutting it over there, they're too old for the money they're on or just because they can get paid a lot more over here.

Both teams have a history of supposedly world class signings who have failed to deliver. I remember us getting Crossman and storms coach stating how put out he was over losing him and when he turned up he was gash. So until these players have had a run out and got a grip of both the playing styles and living in a different country / culture the jury will be out.

I think a hell of a lot of pressure / expectation is being heaped on O'Meley and Fitzgibbon to not only perform but also to gel together a team of players that are very unfamiliar to each other. Add Shaun Long to this mix, who although a great player can be a tad temperamental and the season could easily go one of 2 ways.

I personally think our 2nd row is better than yours and our backs are overall a better unit with another year of understanding under their belts.

Yes and no. Most teams struggle at least a little without their first choice playmaker - there just isn't the cash to carry a quality backup unless you have a promising youngster coming through.

Where do I mention been reliant on one playmaker? We would miss Long just as Leeds miss Sinfield or Rovers Dobson.

Players like Berrigan, Washy, Horne and potentially Tansey mean we have players who can step in. Berrigan has played 7 in many big games.

Not sure I understand your dig....er point.

I agree that the Salary Cap prevents clubs from carrying quality playmakers in reserve but many have a couple on the pitch at the same time (eg Wire with Monaghan, Briers. etc) so it is not such a great hit if one doesnt play.

Did you see how Wire played with just Monaghan on the pitch as playmaker?

Even Saints struggled without Long last season. Take Sinfield out of the Leeds side and they take a hit.

The playmaker is just about the ONLY position where teams are 'dependent' on one player. The difference between top sides and the rest is the quality of damage limitation - and that has a lot to do with the whole squad rather than just the replacement.