We have crafted a very promising squad of players but the jury remains out until we see how they cope with the week to week, 80 minute intensity at Superleague level. However, the signs are good! It adds another level of intrigue for the coming season for me, how will Uele cope with bigger better forward packs, the same for Rodwell, Vangana et al. How will Pratt develop over the season, will he continue to rise and become an international prospect, maybe pushing for an England place or have we seen him reach his ceiling already. Has Max really gone up another level or will we see some of his old weaknesses exposed by better teams and players. Is Tom still the force he was the first time around or are we expecting too much of him? Have we really cracked the conundrum with our current coaching set up and will we see them win games by out coaching some of their opposites which is another facet we haven’t benefitted from too many times over the decades. We as fans think, hope that we will realise all of the positive outcomes from those questions, let’s have faith that we’re right! Another aspect of the Matt Ellis era we no doubt will see at some point is the ability to hold on to our better players and rebuff the sometimes arrogant approaches from clubs who think they’re entitled to take a quality player from a club that doesn’t deserve them. Someone said earlier we’ve done well to get Uele on a long contract and that will be tested when the “bigger” clubs come calling as they always have done. The Rayne twins, Brian Juliff, Andy Kelly, Nigel Wright, Henry Paul, Gareth Ellis, Ben Westwood, David Solomona, Taulima Tautai and half of the current Hull KR team are good examples. Maybe we’ll turn the tables and call on them for a change. Wouldn’t that be a sight to see!

[quote="Pat Bateman":24xgtglp]That’s the thing isn’t it. Powell is big on yardage out of our own end. Johnstone is very good at it and Matty Russell is also. Unfortunately that’s not a strong part of Walmsleys game. When Harry Smith has got you pinned down in your own 20 most sets you need that punch coming out.[/quote:24xgtglp] It works both ways. The only criteria isn’t just to be able to run it out for a few yards in your 20. I’m sure Powell sees this with the starting shirt on Walmsley back. Your sacrificing other areas too and it’s not as if Walmsley doesn’t to a solid job running it back. Walmsley is a better defender, finisher and offers much more in attack too. Walmsley has been consistently good in pre season so he should get the shirt and if he doesn’t perform then we have an experienced winger who can come in. It’s a good position to be in. Personally I’ve never rated Russell. Like a pinball and all action but full of unforced errors that put you under pressure. He’s a good professional though and he will offer good squad depth. If he plays well I’ll be first to praise him. Take Lino, I’ve been one of his biggest critics but how he’s started this season the guy deserves and has forced his way into the starting shirt.

Why don’t we just wait and see because we have a long season ahead to find out how they cope with SL. I do know one thing this is the best squad we have seen in the red white and blue for many years.

[quote="Trojan Horse":2q6gen8u]Think the same applies to Rodwell (of those yet to play SL). [color=#FF0000:2q6gen8u]Uele looks even fitter than last season, clearly he has been working hard.[/color:2q6gen8u] We are incredibly lucky to have prop forwards with engines like we do.[/quote:2q6gen8u] We were saying that too... You do get a better perspective of the players from the East Stand...

A little thing that I noticed yesterday was our defensive line speed how quickly we were off and on top of them. A vast improvement from Boxing Day, and previous seasons , great to see. A lot of hard work has gone in over a relatively short space of time.

[quote="Trojan Horse":1zrt6tdz]It works both ways. The only criteria isn’t just to be able to run it out for a few yards in your 20. I’m sure Powell sees this with the starting shirt on Walmsley back. Your sacrificing other areas too and it’s not as if Walmsley doesn’t to a solid job running it back. Walmsley is a better defender, finisher and offers much more in attack too. Walmsley has been consistently good in pre season so he should get the shirt and if he doesn’t perform then we have an experienced winger who can come in. It’s a good position to be in. Personally I’ve never rated Russell. Like a pinball and all action but full of unforced errors that put you under pressure. He’s a good professional though and he will offer good squad depth. If he plays well I’ll be first to praise him. Take Lino, I’ve been one of his biggest critics but how he’s started this season the guy deserves and has forced his way into the starting shirt.[/quote:1zrt6tdz] you obviously haven’t listened to Steve mills podcast , walmsley won’t start if hall or Pratt do, pretty clear on that

[quote="Trojan Horse":1nhjxf0g]It works both ways. The only criteria isn’t just to be able to run it out for a few yards in your 20. I’m sure Powell sees this with the starting shirt on Walmsley back. Your sacrificing other areas too and it’s not as if Walmsley doesn’t to a solid job running it back. Walmsley is a better defender, finisher and offers much more in attack too. Walmsley has been consistently good in pre season so he should get the shirt and if he doesn’t perform then we have an experienced winger who can come in. It’s a good position to be in. Personally I’ve never rated Russell. Like a pinball and all action but full of unforced errors that put you under pressure. He’s a good professional though and he will offer good squad depth. If he plays well I’ll be first to praise him. Take Lino, I’ve been one of his biggest critics but how he’s started this season the guy deserves and has forced his way into the starting shirt.[/quote:1nhjxf0g] I just basically paraphrasing what Ste Mills has said, if you listen to the heritage podcast. I really like Walmsley and hope he has a cracking season, but we are not the coaching staff who look at the players day in day out. Who ever puts the shirt on I’ll support without question.

[quote="Kirmudgeonlyisback":2dwiex0h]you obviously haven’t listened to Steve mills podcast , walmsley won’t start if hall or Pratt do, pretty clear on that[/quote:2dwiex0h] Listening to Mills they see Myers as a quality Winger moving forward this year also. They have big wraps on him.

[quote="The Avenger":17i6sevn]We have crafted a very promising squad of players but the jury remains out until we see how they cope with the week to week, 80 minute intensity at Superleague level. However, the signs are good! It adds another level of intrigue for the coming season for me, how will Uele cope with bigger better forward packs, the same for Rodwell, Vangana et al. How will Pratt develop over the season, will he continue to rise and become an international prospect, maybe pushing for an England place or have we seen him reach his ceiling already. Has Max really gone up another level or will we see some of his old weaknesses exposed by better teams and players. Is Tom still the force he was the first time around or are we expecting too much of him? Have we really cracked the conundrum with our current coaching set up and will we see them win games by out coaching some of their opposites which is another facet we haven’t benefitted from too many times over the decades. We as fans think, hope that we will realise all of the positive outcomes from those questions, let’s have faith that we’re right! Another aspect of the Matt Ellis era we no doubt will see at some point is the ability to hold on to our better players and rebuff the sometimes arrogant approaches from clubs who think they’re entitled to take a quality player from a club that doesn’t deserve them. Someone said earlier we’ve done well to get Uele on a long contract and that will be tested when the “bigger” clubs come calling as they always have done. The Rayne twins, Brian Juliff, Andy Kelly, Nigel Wright, Henry Paul, Gareth Ellis, Ben Westwood, David Solomona, Taulima Tautai and half of the current Hull KR team are good examples. Maybe we’ll turn the tables and call on them for a change. Wouldn’t that be a sight to see![/quote:17i6sevn] I'll start, we'll take Lewis and Litten

[quote="Kirmudgeonlyisback":2zksddsf]you obviously haven’t listened to Steve mills podcast , walmsley won’t start if hall or Pratt do, pretty clear on that[/quote:2zksddsf] I did and it was a good listen. We will see on Saturday. You won’t have long to wait. Try as you might you won’t change my opinion and prediction that Walmsley will start on the wing. I thought he was talking along the lines of what Russell brings when discussing his signing. Didn’t hear him say that he will play over Walmsley or that Russell is definitely playing if Hall and Pratt are starting. I’ll have to take a listen back if I can find it. It would be strange a recruitment manager picking the team over the coach though.

[quote="Pat Bateman":2o506956]I just basically paraphrasing what Ste Mills has said, if you listen to the heritage podcast. I really like Walmsley and hope he has a cracking season, but we are not the coaching staff who look at the players day in day out. Who ever puts the shirt on I’ll support without question.[/quote:2o506956] How dare you, forums are full of top quality coaches

[quote="Big lads mate":2je5y3u3]How dare you, forums are full of top quality coaches [/quote:2je5y3u3] I know I'm not supposed to say who I am but I'm actually Wayne Bennett

[quote="Big lads mate":a71uy0ix]How dare you, forums are full of top quality coaches [/quote:a71uy0ix] . Good speaking to you before the Cas game, glad your Jordy is getting on well and big Sam is looking after him

[quote="PopTart":1n1sui3u]I know I'm not supposed to say who I am but I'm actually Wayne Bennett[/quote:1n1sui3u] and I'm his brother Gordon

[quote="phe13":36m8tjzt]and I'm his brother Gordon [/quote:36m8tjzt] Very good

[quote="Pat Bateman":26gbprvs]:lol: . Good speaking to you before the Cas game, glad your Jordy is getting on well and big Sam is looking after him [/quote:26gbprvs] Different coaches, but need to thank our present coach Mr Powell and stat man Mr Mills