While their squad if very large, and the rules are opaque, I think any doubts spring from the surprising success they've had. It is the same squad I (and plenty of others) thought, in January, would do well to come in sixth, and they're paying the same now as then.

At the start of the season they didn't look to have extracted amazing value from the cap, but by playing to their strengths they've enjoyed success.

Conversely, I didn't think our squad looked such poor value back then. Though only signing Mulhern and Clarkson in the forwards was definitely a worry.

Hull's team is half local lads who will be playing for significantly less than their opposite numbers at rovers. The only big earners I reckon will be pritchard (who is having some of his salary paid by (canterbury), ellis and sneyd. We have quite a rigid wage structure in place and won't pay over the odds. I'd guess most of our squad earns less than dane tilse

I don't like tall men

Just out of interest which of the players would you be underwhelmed with? Not saying you are wrong and all our players are great, I'm always interested to see a neutrals (ish) views.

I'm guessing you will say Yeaman and Michaels, and perhaps Washbrook and Tuimavave (looks far better at centre) the rest are very good players that would improve most teams imo.

If I could pick 5 players out of your team to play in mine Shaul is the only back I'd take (although I like michaels he wouldn't displace Sio or mantallato for me ) Ellis, Minichello, Taylor and either Watts or Houghton

Yeah, I can see why you'd take thornley over fonua and mantellato over talanoa and I don't think you'd even consider sneyd over your 40 minute a season half back.

Conversely there's not one player in your team who would even get into our 17

I think Radford deserves enormous credit for getting fairly unheralded players like Washbrook, Green and Bowden to place where they can contribute meaningfully to the success you're having. All on the bench on Saturday, but it is a 17 man game nowadays. Put them into the rovers set-up of the last few years, and they'd likely go from quietly effective to completely anonymous. Same if we signed somebody like Dom Crosby. Ryan Bailey contributed basically nothing for us, now probably the third best prop in a good team.

Tuimavave would probably have been one of those 'waste of a quota spot' players for us. Talanoa and Michaels, fall into the 'not going to get you to the next level' and Dave K's 'don't use quota spots on wingers' argument.

Yeaman, setting aside the antipathy some Rovers fans have towards him, and his age - still a good player IMO.

I think "fun time frankie" just won "Stupidest Post of 2016". Still laughing.

Tbf, from a self-imposed limit of 5 players he could hypothetically take, I don't think Shaul, Taylor, Minichello, Ellis and Watts/Houghton is a daft selection. It'd certainly overlap with mine.

If you're just saying that Michaels is a different league to Sio, or even a fit Mantellato - well I think it is debatable at very least.

Fair summary. I think Washbrook is and always will be a solid, dependable SL player. He won't ever get many plaudits or headlines, but he just goes about his business and rarely does anything wrong. He's especially good at what some people might call the dark arts, holding up attackers and controlling the ruck speed. Green and Bowden have always shown promise but never really done it week in week out. This year they are like new players. They very much play second fiddle to Watts and Taylor, but unlike in previous seasons we don't lose much when the main guys go off.

Think you're spot on with Tuimavave. He has all the skill in the world, but he doesn't show it that often. But with Sneyd pulling the strings we can afford to carry him knowing that when he does inject himself into the game it can be deadly. He'd be seen as a luxury player by alot of people. I also agree about Michaels. He's brave as they come, and for a little guy actually goes forward well, but he looks like he will be leaving, and I think that's probably the correct decision.

The one I cant agree with is Talanoa. I know you have two good wingers in Sio and Mantellato, so if you prefer them I won't argue, but for me Talanoa is one of the best wingers in the league, and probably our second most important back after Shaul. He can finish, he can defend, he's decent under a high ball, but most importantly the go forward he provides is huge.

As for you guys, I know the life of a Hull KR fan isn't the best just now, but there's plenty to be excited about as long as you can survive the qualifiers. Get a good full back, sort out the Campese situation and make three or four quality pack additions and you will have a very competitive squad Imo.

If I was in charge of Rovers and someone offered me five Hull players I would pick:

Shaul
Sneyd
Taylor
Watts
Manu

They aren't necessarily our 5 best, but based on their ability, age, and the areas you are lacking, I think they would be the best five signings.

Have to admit, watching the game yesterday I was disappointed that we still don't have Watt's and Taylor. Having said that, it just wasn't meant to be for both players with us at the time they left the club.

I'd take Shaul every day of the week, love that lads progression.

Houghton, what can you say, he's always played well against us and for season after season has made a ridiculous amount of tackles week in week out. Add to that his great scoots, great player.

I remember Sneyd playing a very early game / could have been his debut at The Willows, he came on and played hooker and scored a very pacy try, looked quality and is. When you're not playing against us, I love that run to the left stick and inside no look kick play for Minicello that everyone has fallen for.

Shaul
Sio
Fonua
Yeaman
Talanoa
Blair
Sneyd

Taylor
Houghton
Watts
Manu
Minichiello
Ellis


Pritchard
Walker
Greenwood
Lunt

Don't agree at all.our last 5 games have been won lost not in front row which imo is well matched or backs which if all fit (big if) we edge.it's ellis and Minichello they are the heartbeat of the team our back row is pop gun yours is scud missile.Iike Minns and Thornley as centre pairing just need 2 international quality 2nd rowers (if we have the dollar?).We aren't far off given fitness .as for Fonua he was waste of quota space as recent as June. .In own fans words sport is hard to predict

Is that a joke bench? 2 2nd rowers, 1 prop and a hooker who won't get on unless the MOS elect gets injured? And as much as I don't really rate tuimavave, a 2nd rower at 6? Surely kelly is the best option? He'd have a field day alongside a decent SH and behind a good pack

Yuck dont want any thundersharks in the kr team thank you very much -sick face-

I wouldn't have Taylor if he paid us to play, he treated the club and fans appallingly.

Yes I would Jake just my opinion Mantallato might not be the fastest but is great in the air brings the ball back well and kicks the goals so more all round for me

Why don't you explain

Sio would easily get into your team

Can't disagree with that. In a combined dream team him and Talanoa would be the wingers.

I don't think you need to worry about that, somehow.

I really don't get this view that Taylor treated the club or fans badly at the time of his leaving. He was offered a contract, chose not to sign it and went to Wigan which was and is a bigger and better club to further his career.

He has of course been a complete bell end ever since but that's a different matter.

Completely agree, couldn't blame him for going Wigan and can blame him for subsequently being a bell end