Next game counts, so what do people expect for the season ahead? Realistically, making the 8 would be entirely satisfactory, imo. The first 17 or even 19 isn't bad, but we're a little thin on depth and that is bound to show at some point. And we're a good way behind the very top teams still. maybe not over 80 minutes always, but over 27 rounds. Potential isn't a substitute for experience, but on the other hand I can imagine myself watching this fresher team with more of a smile on my face.
Last year was transitional in that clearly a new coach wanted to make changes, this year in terms of that team developing, with everybody hopefully pulling in the same direction it should feel better even if results remain mixed. My main fear is a slow start bringing back memories of the dismal finish to last year and pressure and speculation mounting for the coach. Rebuilding again would be less than ideal, so I really hope he gets enough from the team to secure a new deal.

From what I've seen of the team in the friendlies, I'm quietly optimistic for the coming season. I'm not saying we're going to win any thing, although never say never, but I do think some of the so called experts are underestimating us big time. Our signings have been conducted in an understated manner, and newboys such as Eden, Walker and Tuimaive have been impressive in the Wigan and Hull friendlies. Paterson shows all the signs of becoming the new Newtonesque fans favourite, and Mika looks far sleeker, and fitter than last year.Kids who broke through last season like Salter, and especially from what I've seen so far, Griffin looked to have kicked on this term, and Caro looks to have massive potential.
We might have as many, if not more downs than ups again this year, but if we can still manage a few highs like the celebrations on the concourse at the Etihad, or the away win at Huddersfield, they're the highloghts that make the season all worthwhile. Cup runs, or God forbid wins, or play offs, are just icing on the cake for clubs such as us, and lets just enjoy the ride.

Great post dudley spot on

I honestly think this squad would not have let a massive lead against Wigan go to waste. I also could imagine this set of players not squandering leads that would have pushed us much further up the table.

Not saying it won't happen but I just get the impression they know now how to close out a game and will be much more ready when these close games come up.

We were pretty close to many of the top teams over 80mins and often much the better side for 40/60mins only becoming extremely average for 20/40mins of most games. So if we can just put that right we shouldn't be far off.

Some of the pundits are saying we've lost some big players but let's be honest, McDonnell is not a big loss, Clinton is a welcome riddance while only Galea can be classed as influencial and for me it is the right time to part company especially as in the two games up to now Paterson offers much more and looks the business!

Sometimes the pundits can be rather ignorant to the clubs in the mid table. I think Paterson has flown in under the radar as he wasn't a massive name in the NRL but today he kept Gaz Ellis in his back pocket and I don't see that changing through the season.

I doubt we'll win anything this year and I fully expect a few poorer performances, that is the nature of the beast. But what I do know is that this team will be exciting and much faster than we've ever seen before, we will put on a show and some of the defending will be brutal.

Really glad I chose to get a pass

Wasn't overly optimistic myself coming into the 2013 season but after seeing the Wigan game and the Hull game I'm quietly excited for it now.

The thing I couldn't stand last season was the lack of passion, it just wasn't there to see! To name some; Taylor, his lack of professionalism and his can't be bothered attitude was very annoying for me. Con Mika just didn't seem bothered in a few games, but that looks to have changed dramatically! We just didn't appear to have anyone reminiscent of the always charismatic Clint, or the driving enthusiasm of a Ben Cockayne. But moving back onto this season, already this team appears to have developed some passion; oh and Paterson for king of East Hull

(formerly Clints' crown ha ha).

I've been pleasantly surprised by a couple of signings, Cairo being one of them, he's a Unit for a winger, jumps well and I don't need to mention his pace; for me if he works hard then he could become a very useful asset. Paterson, didn't know much of him, an when I saw his pic in the local rag as he first arrived here I was filled with disappointment, thought he looked lightweight. But couldn't of been further from the truth, this guy could seriously damage some teams, has a great off-loading game, towering kick-offs and as someone has previously mentioned seems to have gone under the radar. A good bit of business by Sandy imo.

Of the seasoned HKR players, think Josh Hodgson will just keep getting better, a brilliant signing he's turned out to be made by JM. Think Dobson will step it up with the added responsibility he now has as captain. Rhys Lovegrove, Seems to be HKR through an through, think he's developing into one of our best forwards, he's a powerful unit and looks a good mean player when out on the field, once again thank you Morgs.

Think and hope we will go under the radar this season, we have already been written off to end up between 8th an 10th spot, and I would have agreed a few weeks ago. I don't think we'll win anything but we'll see what happens, don't like to predict final positions, but lets just hope it's a good 'un!

I think our weakness lies in the front row. If we lose 1/2 props regularly, we might struggle.

Must admit I've been pleasantly surprised with the squad in the small glimpses we've had so far, I think most of the new arrivals have been discussed on early posts and all seem in agreement. For me the biggest pluses from the 2 halves of first team play we've seen so far is the improved line speed, we were getting into teams faces quicker and this is something we have lacked for years, Morgan seemed to train it out of us and it was very frustrating.

Last season was a very odd one, our early cup exit and subsequent week on week off format meant the league never really got any momentum, that coupled with a team that seemed to be lacking any enthusiasm made the whole season really unenjoyable. This transferred itself onto the terraces and the support was quiet and unenthusiastic, CP was certainly its least intimidating I've experienced for many a year. I can handle getting beat and I know as well as most that we are not the best team in SL, but we were always a team to be wary of, a team that made up for a lack of true champion players with a oneness and team spirit that could beat anyone on its day. Hopefully this will return with a group of players that CS has picked himself and can mould to play his way.

SL will be an odd one this year, I think its pretty much up for grabs if anyone decides to have a real go as the 'big four' all look weaker.
Wigan have lost a lot of quality, If Hock goes as well I would wonder how they'll handle that.
Leeds and Wire get another year older with a very quiet season of signings. but they always seem to still produce
Saints will be interesting under Brown, for me they could be the ones to come through.

My take.

We know nothing about our team at the moment. I base this comment on where we were exactly 12 months ago, walking out of the KC with a win under our belts, watching a few Rovers fans dance on the concourse like we'd just been crowned World Club champions.

Until it matters, you can't gauge how seriously anyone is taking games. Our defence looked spot on yesterday (most of the time), but I thought that a year ago, and then watched 27 rounds of pathetic tackling. My feet are so grounded I have concrete wellies on.

Come on grumpy, surely you must admit the defense looks more composed and we seem to have more speed of play and thought than last year.
It is as you say early days but there are positive signs there, especially when you think we weren't that far away last year, despite it being a pretty disappointing end result and league position.

2 pages of Rovers related posts. Madness, well done MR.

I've not taken in any of the friendlies so can't say too much for the new recruits. But I have heard CS mention a few times that he's now got a group of players who want to be here. Which naturally suggests that this wasn't the case last year and perhaps caused a few internal issues. Whether or not we’re stronger than last year, time will tell, but at least (hopefully) we should see a committed team this year.

We lost far too many close games last year, if we can find that Dave Brailsford 'marginal gains' percentage, then hopefully we can see out tight games. GG Stan is right tho' - friendlies = frep squared.

greg eden is the best prospect we have



he can run through the tightest of gaps with ease . even a very small gap

i hope cox has a good year also after his injury last season

From what i have seen so far.......

I fear we are going to ship a lot of points again this year... our defence is still porous ...even the wigan b team went through twice with no real problem, and a stronger wigan lineup would have taken us apart.. I`m a realist... i see our problems..... is this the right coach or right players to sort them.... that is a hard one to answer... We played a Hull team that was lacklustre and seemed to have a lack of match fitness at the time... however after playing each team it will be the better time to reflect and assess our play-off hopes etc... right now is far far too early ....lets see how we fare against some of the first team squads after they are upto speed etc...

We have a threadbare squad , not much past the initial 17.... and for that reason alone we will struggle to compete.

Agree about our props, a couple of injuries and we may struggle.

Overall i think well improve on last season, we've got some rugged forwards and pace in the backs and I think well battle back into the playoffs.

I think a lot went on last year that we do not know about and it looks like it might now have been fixed (i hope) and if the money man comes in we might get some strength in depth you never know