Good to see a few of lads out together having a coffee yesterday on a day off. Seems like it's been a really positive start to pre season.

I've heard some positive comments from a friend of one of the younger players who has said there's a complete change in things across the board. The club has been allowed to decline in so many areas, let's hope this is the start of a big change

It may not mean much to the supporters but i am certain it does to the players.
As you say Barron must be delighted to receive the no 2 shirt and if i were Martin i would be disappointed to see Briscoe given the no 5 shirt in front of him.

How can you be certain? This is just another whinge for the sake of it.

Some players will want a certain number because of the traditional one for their prefered position, some will want a number for other reasons (like Shaul in his last season). Some won't be bothered.

I would imagine that Martin would rather be in the starting XIII with 22 on his back than out of the team and training with number 5 on his kit.

Abdull looking in decent shape.

sorry Reverend
As usual i am sure you are correct
Apologies to all your followers

They do say black is a slimming colour



In all seriousness though he definitely looks fitter and trimmer than I remember seeing him before, even after a full pre season.

I don’t know what all the fuss was about, the lads just big boned

I'd be more concerned if Martin had a lower number on his back than Briscoe at this stage of Martin's career.

I like the fact that although Martin had a decent year last year for a rookie, he's still being challenged to call himself a first choice. Keep the young lad hungry.

I did say a month or three back on this forum that if we get a fit Abdul for us, then we've got a talented rugby-league player on our team.

Cartwright promised us a fit team and if he gets Abdul fit, then we'll have a good attacking weapon for us. We haven't had that since we let The Snake go.

I think Asiata will be the most important player to keep fit. A real competitor who leads the way. We'll always compete with him on our team

I like that a few of our overseas players have played for Cartwright before, Asiata, Sezer, Cust. Trust is massively important.

I'm loving how the club is portraying itself atm. Looking a much more professional outfit after the absolute shambles of recent years. Training looks soooo much better, players looking fitter and it's only the start of pre-season, communication from the club on how pre-season is going is much improved too, makes you feel more connected. Rome wasn't built in a day n all that but I'm genuinely feeling much more optimistic that the team will be able to compete next season. It's almost like we haven't just got a new team but a new club

You get your leg over last night ?

Top 6 here we come, you’re going to clock some miles up if you’ve renewed but sorry Bonny will be along in a moment to correct you. Slowest back line in the comp, signing has beens and should be playing Walker at hooker, heyho.

Hardaker in training now. Haven't spotted Holmes on the Instagram videos yet

Gaz Ellis also spotted helping to oversee training this morning

Wildie hiding behind posts he will update us later #holmeswatch

Heard he ran the 100 metres is 9 seconds today.

Get him on the special brew and he'll do it in 7

I think you misheard, it was 9 metres in 100 seconds

Was meant to start last week but he's been waiting for a Hull taxi firm to actually turn up for a booking for a week now

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... es-4862386 YEP interview with Cartwright

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... es-4862386 YEP interview with Cartwright

Brian Smith turned a hapless team into
a flookin amazing team in 1-2 seasons

No big signings - just Gary Nolan winning the GF with a reach out try !

Crusher Cleal was quite a big signing I suppose

JC could easily do the same with this
Mob

Great to see the Cash from Thirkill being put to good use on breakfasts and the like.
It all counts

But strong leadership with accountability is priceless

Seems like the first week has been harder than the whole of last pre season as whole.
Fantastic to hear the positive comments so far.
They are certainly putting in the hours. In at 7 and finishing around 3.

Ah Brian Smith



Some would say it's harder to do in the modern game but is it? I'm not sure it is. Brian Smith was a charismatic figurehead who not only did wonders with a poor team but also spearheaded the installation of new floodlights the demolition and replacement of the Threepenny Stand and the revamping of the in ground bar facilities to try to mirror the Leagues Clubs in Australia. However, he arrived with the team having eclipsed the great escape fro relegation the previous season by the skin of our teeth and did it by beating Rovers at caravan park with 6 missing. Under the temporary coaching of Tony Dean and Keith Hepworth who had taken over from Casey with us in a real rut, they over saw an improvement but we had a really poor team that regularly under performed under Casey ands had massive attitude issues under him too. recognise anything?

Enter Brian Smith who just signed four Aussies Colman Moon Boyle and Henry and after he instigated an open trial which attracted 70 players from across Yorkshire we got Ian Marlow signed up from Local RU. That's all we saw coming in of any substance whilst he immediately dropped Pearce (Pearce was over weight and under performing.... recognise anything here too?) Proctor and Tomlinson into the A team and we proceeded to lose our first 4 games. However we ended up as beaten finalists at Old Trafford at the end of the season after some historic performances, (who can forget the 35-20 victory at Wigan that some Wigan fans I know still insist instigated the Wigan walk) along the way. Brian Smith was a real Miracle worker and so miracles do happen. Or they did. Sadly for us not that often these days though!!!