[quote="BESTY":2xe28ylw]These young players must now be properly nurtured and not over exposed. I have far more confidence that the club is better placed to do that now both from a financial point of view, the coaching set up and the fact that in Myler we have a knowledgeable rugby man at the helm. Something we haven't had for a long long time. Great start but nothing to get too excited about.[/quote:2xe28ylw] Be very disappointed if the new coach sticks with Briscoe in front of Martin get Barron back on the right and Martin on the left with Rapana

Here is a radical thought regarding the signing and young players….maybe just maybe Myler and Carty have got it right by bringing in experienced players so that when the young players do play they aren’t exposed as much and have a lot more extend quality around them…I mean Mylere a ex player and carty a experienced coach may just know something more than a lot on here

[quote="The games afoot":1bhqd49q]Here is a radical thought regarding the signing and young players….maybe just maybe Myler and Carty have got it right by bringing in experienced players so that when the young players do play they aren’t exposed as much and have a lot more extend quality around them…I mean Mylere a ex player and carty a experienced coach may just know something more than a lot on here[/quote:1bhqd49q] Have you got a pass yet?

It's going to a long hard season this year but all we want to continue to see is the passion and endeavour we saw yesterday at Cas. The youngsters in that second half were so committed to not losing and how refreshing that is after the last few years. I think we'll improve but I won't get carried away however I don't think we will be on our own in the struggling stakes this season, as I'd be more worried at present if I sere Cas fan or particularly a Huddersfield fan. The latter were shocking today against Featherstone and have now lost to two Championship clubs in pre season. Our major strength has to be our youth and the work Adam instigated four years ago with regard to the development of our youth structure could well start to pay big dividends this year.

[quote="The Dentist Wilf":pw8qj96s][quote:pw8qj96s]It's going to a long hard season this year but all we want to continue to see is the passion and endeavour we saw yesterday at Cas.[/quote:pw8qj96s] The youngsters in that second half were so committed to not losing and how refreshing that is after the last few years. I think we'll improve but I won't get carried away however I don't think we will be on our own in the struggling stakes this season, as I'd be more worried at present if I sere Cas fan or particularly a Huddersfield fan. The latter were shocking today against Featherstone and have now lost to two Championship clubs in pre season. Our major strength has to be our youth and the work Adam instigated four years ago with regard to the development of our youth structure could well start to pay big dividends this year.[/quote:pw8qj96s] Echo this from Wilf. Have noticed that virtually every poster on here is very realistic about what the coming months are likely to bring for the faithful. We are all very aware (too aware by far!!) of the errors which have been made in the past and the amount of hard work that is going to be needed to rectify those errors, but there is unquestionably the feeling that the work to turn around this great club has already started in earnest. As Wilf says, all we are looking for is passion, commitment and endeavour, if we can continue to see those attributes each week we will be walking in the right direction once again (even if it's not exactly a full-bloodied march to the summit just yet!!). I'm also hoping to see more than three wins in the coming year! it surely cannot be as draining as 2024 was, even our patience (sorely tested to the maximum last year) has its outer limits!! As Chris 71 said earlier, no one is likely to be getting too giddy just yet, but let's hope we can continue to see positive signs of recover as the year unfolds, that really is what most of us are asking for in 2025.

[quote="The Dentist Wilf":1n4607z9]Our major strength has to be our youth and the work Adam instigated four years ago with regard to the development of our youth structure could well start to pay big dividends this year.[/quote:1n4607z9] We’re going to win the league, we’re going to win the league

[quote="Armavinit":ahlnp34a]:ROCKS: We’re going to win the league, we’re going to win the league [/quote:ahlnp34a] You're not in the Championship you know.

I think that most of us are just happy to take it game by game and not get carried away, just look for the positives per match and see signs big or small that we're progressing. I thought that the most telling thing to come out of Cartwright's post match analysis was that the players went in at half time knowing where they had gone wrong in the first half and what they needed to do in the second half to turn that around. That tells you a lot already about the change in attitude at the club and I feel that will win us a few more points this year on it's own.

What I'm looking for is the will to defend and overall resilience. If we can show some organisation and aggression in defence and not wilt when things go wrong it will be a massive step in the right direction. Put teams under pressure with defence and we'll get the opportunities to score

[quote="Roam Ranger":3eb2qi6o]I think that most of us are just happy to take it game by game and not get carried away, just look for the positives per match and see signs big or small that we're progressing. I thought that the most telling thing to come out of Cartwright's post match analysis was that the players went in at half time knowing where they had gone wrong in the first half and what they needed to do in the second half to turn that around. That tells you a lot already about the change in attitude at the club and I feel that will win us a few more points this year on it's own.[/quote:3eb2qi6o] Ironically it was the six changes and bringing on the young lads that turned the game for us in the second half. Pleasing but thats not how its meant to be The senior players may have known where they went wrong but can they rectify it on the field against much better opposition to come?

https://youtu.be/V8QLveIO31o?si=PZ-tgA7exgj5h4l2 Hopefully we can carry on these videos during the season

https://youtu.be/V8QLveIO31o?si=PZ-tgA7exgj5h4l2 Hopefully we can carry on these videos during the season

Superb insight and hopefully we'll see a lot more of these vids .

I watched the video and Sao just looks unfit

[quote="Tarquin Fuego":2rgvy2wx]I watched the video and Sao just looks unfit[/quote:2rgvy2wx] Based on those 7 minutes I'd love you to explain your reasons for thinking this

I'd say the opposite regarding Sao, he played decent minutes and, along with most of the players, looked the fittest I have seen them.

[quote="Tarquin Fuego":7x5hb8pi]I watched the video and Sao just looks unfit[/quote:7x5hb8pi] You bang on about Aussie training methods and fitness regimes then slag Soa off for being unfit after watching a brief 7 minutes of a pre season friendly. Don’t you trust Cartwright anymore

[quote="Armavinit":2n8kdrmu]You bang on about Aussie training methods and fitness regimes then slag Soa off for being unfit after watching a brief 7 minutes of a pre season friendly. Don’t you trust Cartwright anymore [/quote:2n8kdrmu] It's an odd take. I wasn't at the game, but he obviously wasn't either, so all that either of us have to go by is that video, and there's nothing in there that jumps out regarding Sao's fitness. Cartwright has made it clear that anyone not up to scratch on fitness wont be involved, and the Abdull situation has backed that up. Also, there are various criticisms that could be levelled at Sao in recent years but I don't think fitness has ever been one of them. I'd say he's always had a good engine and looks after himself. I find it hard to believe that under a regime that holds fitness in high esteem Sao's level have dropped significantly.

In the end we might not end up being any good but one things for sure everyone looks fitter and playing at the right bulk for their stature and position on the field. First time for a few seasons we can say that! How good the game plan is and how accomplished we are skills wise remains still to be seen.

[quote="Mr. Zucchini Head":15f40e7x]It's an odd take.[size=150:15f40e7x][url]I wasn't at the game, but he obviously wasn't either[/url][/size:15f40e7x], so all that either of us have to go by is that video, and there's nothing in there that jumps out regarding Sao's fitness. Cartwright has made it clear that anyone not up to scratch on fitness wont be involved, and the Abdull situation has backed that up. Also, there are various criticisms that could be levelled at Sao in recent years but I don't think fitness has ever been one of them. I'd say he's always had a good engine and looks after himself. I find it hard to believe that under a regime that holds fitness in high esteem Sao's level have dropped significantly.[/quote:15f40e7x] Is he ever at the games? Probably not.

I thought Sao had put on a bit of timber tbh but maybe it's planned

Sao was the worst player we had last year Total liability Unfit and I assume carrying injuries when ‘fit’ I don’t go to many games because I live in Australia so you get a free shot on that one I buy a lot of Merch and offered to buy a small % of the Club when Adam sent me the Prospectus about 9 months ago. I’ve bought season passes from here in Melbourne before Anyways - Sao just looks slow on the FB videos the Club regularly posts and I saw 2 instances of him looking like a typical slow forward in the Cas clips from Last ( which were very revealing ) The last 4-5 years have been the worst rugby ever served up by FC and I’m keen as many are to see the team Galvanise behind the new owners and coaching staff and I have already popped some cash on FC beating Dragons at $3.75 I will be up at 4am watching that one or whatever time it’s on

[quote="Tarquin Fuego":2lqu15q4]Sao was the worst player we had last year Total liability Unfit and I assume carrying injuries when ‘fit’ I don’t go to many games because I live in Australia so you get a free shot on that one I buy a lot of Merch and offered to buy a small % of the Club when Adam sent me the Prospectus about 9 months ago. I’ve bought season passes from here in Melbourne before Anyways - Sao just looks slow on the FB videos the Club regularly posts and I saw 2 instances of him looking like a typical slow forward in the Cas clips from Last ( which were very revealing ) The last 4-5 years have been the worst rugby ever served up by FC and I’m keen as many are to see the team Galvanise behind the new owners and coaching staff and I have already popped some cash on FC beating Dragons at $3.75 I will be up at 4am watching that one or whatever time it’s on[/quote:2lqu15q4] Lets put things in perspective .....Sao & Balmforth were not fit last season?? - neither were the rest of the squad.(Aydin, Chan exempt) The club had 1 unqualified fitness trainer, and 3 part time student physiotherapists Is it any wonder, the players were physically incapable to compete in SL?? this is bordering on negligence..,;and we had a record number of injuries?? Had the club's hierarchy, employed more suitably qualified backroom staff, instead of pouring all income into unscouted signings, maybe we would've been more competitive.??. When Myler arrived, he stated, "The club is not fit for purpose" I'm confident it is now....

[quote="Tarquin Fuego":3ln45at2]Sao was the worst player we had last year Total liability Unfit and I assume carrying injuries when ‘fit’ I don’t go to many games because I live in Australia so you get a free shot on that one I buy a lot of Merch and offered to buy a small % of the Club when Adam sent me the Prospectus about 9 months ago. I’ve bought season passes from here in Melbourne before Anyways - Sao just looks slow on the FB videos the Club regularly posts and I saw 2 instances of him looking like a typical slow forward in the Cas clips from Last ( which were very revealing ) The last 4-5 years have been the worst rugby ever served up by FC and I’m keen as many are to see the team Galvanise behind the new owners and coaching staff and I have already popped some cash on FC beating Dragons at $3.75 I will be up at 4am watching that one or whatever time it’s on[/quote:3ln45at2] Don’t agree with any posts questioning you or anyone’s loyalty or commitment as a supporters, we really don’t need that as a fanbase. As for Sao I agree with others that it would be difficult to tell from those highlights anyone’s fitness and it was the first friendly of the season. We have a coach who promised the players will be fit, and seemingly acted upon this with a player whose ink was barely dry on a 3 year deal. Last season was a total shambles, but I think we should just give everyone a clean slate and trust the coaching set up. Sao is in the last year of his contract, if he doesn’t perform to standard he’ll be out, but I think he’ll prove like most of his Hull career to be a solid forward. He seems a decent bloke and I’m sure will be wanting to write a few wrongs from last year.

[quote="Tarquin Fuego":125orlip]Sao was the worst player we had last year Total liability Unfit and I assume carrying injuries when ‘fit’ I don’t go to many games because I live in Australia so you get a free shot on that one I buy a lot of Merch and offered to buy a small % of the Club when Adam sent me the Prospectus about 9 months ago. I’ve bought season passes from here in Melbourne before Anyways - Sao just looks slow on the FB videos the Club regularly posts and I saw 2 instances of him looking like a typical slow forward in the Cas clips from Last ( which were very revealing ) The last 4-5 years have been the worst rugby ever served up by FC and I’m keen as many are to see the team Galvanise behind the new owners and coaching staff and I have already popped some cash on FC beating Dragons at $3.75 I will be up at 4am watching that one or whatever time it’s on[/quote:125orlip] I think making conclusions from the 7 mins is difficult. It’s like reading quotes where some words have been removed. Sao has many attributes -fitness is usually one of them, effort,passion and no little skill. As so often happens behind keyboards criticism is much more likely to be spouted and rarely balanced with praise. So in that vain if Sao can cut out the indiscipline and ill advised offloads we have the forward who was so good for Samoa in the World Cup

[quote="Tarquin Fuego":2p3twop8]Sao was the worst player we had last year Total liability Unfit and I assume carrying injuries when ‘fit’ I don’t go to many games because I live in Australia so you get a free shot on that one I buy a lot of Merch and offered to buy a small % of the Club when Adam sent me the Prospectus about 9 months ago. I’ve bought season passes from here in Melbourne before Anyways - Sao just looks slow on the FB videos the Club regularly posts and I saw 2 instances of him looking like a typical slow forward in the Cas clips from Last ( which were very revealing ) The last 4-5 years have been the worst rugby ever served up by FC and I’m keen as many are to see the team Galvanise behind the new owners and coaching staff and I have already popped some cash on FC beating Dragons at $3.75 I will be up at 4am watching that one or whatever time it’s on[/quote:2p3twop8] im sure your club would have been in a better place with you at the helm ,walter mitty,billy liar, take your pick