indeed, i look forward to the 24 page 'i was wrong' thread at the end of the season if he goes well for us

Will we get a thread giving the opposite view if he's little more than run of the mill?

Probably,but the guy deserves a chance.

I doubt we will bb. I'm not so much knocking Aspinwall as knocking Hull. As I said earlier there must be some decent prospects in the academy who deserve a shot at a first team place. If not then what have the coaches been doing for the last few years?

I can`t argue with that mate,I like many others would love to see youngsters making the grade.The fact remains Aspinwall is now an F.C. player,and as such should at least be given a chance by the fans.If he turns out a dud then no doubt there will be plenty of "told you so`s."

Not the signing I was expecting but he will get my full backing when playing for Hull fc. Welcome to Hull Martin

Agree, there has to be some decent prospects, but they aren't proven at SL yet. Could you imagine the uproar, if the cover had not been signed and one or two of the young lads buckled under the pressure? The confidence would be in pieces, least having the likes of Aspinwall etc will allow a transition period, and if they dont prove to be good enough, longer term replacements can be signed.

With the appalling state our failed youth program has been in from the last regime, it may be that PG has got quite a work to do bringing them up to speed, before he can assess them as ready to make that step up.

Even the main squad of experienced player, are going to need time to gel and get drilled into a whole new way of playing. That may take a few games before they get settled and established with the amount of new players, and the whole new ethos. Then they are going to need to spend much time with players like Turner, Sharp, Ellis etc…

When you consider all the work that has to be done, it is not going to get done in one pre-season. Then the signing of players like Martin and Aspinwall on a one year deal seem logically spot on.

I feared the worst last season much of the time when I looked at our bench, this year it should look a lot better. I think all of the new signings have added something to our squad and the players that have left were all in need of a fresh start for them and for us.

This could prove to be a very astute signing for us.

Welcome to the black and whites

I reckon for 2013 you can possibly add Tickle as well. Of course, that would just mean shortages in the back row instead, as Manu can't have too long left in him. Either way, we could really do with a couple of the young forwards coming through well next year and ready to be regulars the year after. Bowden + at least one of the backrowers if possible. It's a big ask though, we needed them to be getting a few games this year IMO.

Waste of salary cap for me. Much rather Green have a go than Aspinwall.

McCrae is describing him as "a terrific signing" !

I don't expect him to say something like "he's gash but there's nobody else" but please, come on !

Is it just me that thinks he's gone a little senile during his time at Salford?

I think he will be a good addition on a relativley low salary for 1 year! He needs to earn himself another contract so hopefully he will give his all! I reckon a quota player still to come in who's taken up most of the cap. Welcome Martin and Good Luck!

McCrae has just said on RH "that's it". Unless someone leaves, there are no more signings planned.

The quota spot will remain unused.

McRae said earlier no more to come in at the minute , and if they was some have to leave first .

Maybe,just maybe ,Bomber knows a little more than we do about Aspinwall?

The way things are going on here Aspinwell may tell us all to eff off.
Its just a shame all these big name players queing up to sign for us have been left in the cold.

really poor signing id rather have kept 1 of washy,burnett, lauaki, personally i wouldnt have signed martin and aspinwall and signed a good young english forward like patrick.

Aspinwall is an established and solid Super League player and given that his role will be just to spell Manu, Tickle or Westerman i think he will do a fair job.
However, if i were Liam Cunningham, Liam Kent or Chris Green i would be seeking a release. They would grow an extra leg playing infront of a Hull FC crowd and so long as they pretty much played alternate weeks so to avoid burn out i think they would far eclipse anything Aspinwall will offer.

washbrrok is a solid established super league player same again for burnett and i would much rather have lauaki then aspinwall very poor signing

Does anyone know how many other teams have not filled up their overseas quota?

dnt talk rubbish! our youngsters will get the opportunity this coming season. maybe you should be worried about your own youngsters who after breaking through last season have now been pushed back by the number of o/seas you have signed

I think you are right Aspinwall will spell Manu, Tickle and Westy and be in the 17 next year. I also agree that he will do a decent job. However if Gentle is true to his word then the next in line will be either Green or Kent (would say Cunningham but think he is been lined up as a centre next year).

Will Aspinwall, Manu, Tickle and Westy play every game next year? Probably not.

Will Green or Kent get the first team opportunity if the above is true? Yes according to Peter Gentle.

I reckon that when Aspinwalls contract runs out we will have seen a fair bit of either Green or Kent to be honest lets hope they are upto the job!

Bringing in the experienced Aspinwall whilst not setting the heart rate going for Hull fans is the sensible decision to help bridge the gap between regular first team action and breaking in the youngsters. Without Aspinwall any long term injury to any of our back rowers would throw the youngsters straight into being first team regulars. Huge risk.

How anyone could say that they would rather keep Lauaki is beyond me! The guy was utter sh#te, 17st of wind who put that pathetic step on before every impact! He won't be any better for Wigan!

Anybody who knows me, or reads my posts, know that i am passionate about Rovers and Hull bringing through youngsters. The up-coming season will see if either of our clubs share my view. It should also be noted that Liam and Chris have probably passed the youngsters stage and are really ready to be played.