Fair enough, I personally don't think Radford will pick either at centre. Even Yeaman himself has said he doesn't see himself as a centre anymore.

He should be a squad player, along with Micheals, Radford knows this season his jobs on the line and he can't pick his mates or play safe, we have to kick on and this won't happen with these two in the starting 13.

Nowhere near top 4. The only significant improvement is pritchard. taylor won't be better than paea was and if manu continues his recent form he'll be a downgrade on westerman. Scrabbling about for 7th or 8th again

I think he'll bottle it if things don't go well in the pre season and pick an old experienced side.

Some of the posts I've read from Penrith fans about Manu are not very flattering. What's your opinion of him mate?

There's some players who can a very good job is its kept really basic, Manu and Adam Blair are two. Ask him to do anything "extra" and he can't deal with it.

I didn't say we would finish top 4, just our pack is top 4 potential, I think we will finish 6th, our backs are a bit unknown though.

Taylor will be better than Paea as he offers equal go forward, greater consistency, better defence and plays more minutes, which straight away address your concern, the fact we have Manu and Pritchard allows Ellis to play shorter spells at prop which will hopefully preserve him and him playing prop makes us stronger in the middle.

On last seasons form I would say Westerman was a bottom 4 player, so I'm sure it will be an improvement. Not worried about NRL form as s totally different league as we have seen with the likes of Mini and Kelly.

We'll see. Every year I read outlandish claims about our squad and every year they fail to live up to these unrealistic expectations.

Agree, but we have to and should improve from last year, I think Pearsons target on 3 more wins before the split is realistic.

I don't. The real weaknesses in our squad are hooker, halfs and outside backs, none of which are better than last season. Personally I don't think the forwards will improve enough to cover these deficiencies

I see your point, but we have only really lost Lineham from the backs and signed Fonua and Carlos T, who could be great or terrible.

I'm looking forward to the development of our young backs line Lancaster, Logan, Naughton and Abdul who will hopefully improve with more experience and a good off season in the gym.

we have a far better squad,and more to come ,defo finish higher than last year,usual doom merchants saying we will struggle blah blah blah, lets see

Usual idiots predicting a great season.

you are funny

We identified that our problem last year was poor execution in the oppositions 20. A lack of flair/skill/guile etc. We've not addressed that though with the players brought in and in fact have got rid of one player who knows where the try line is and another in Westerman who albeit not in great form last year is a ball player. Manu is not a creator and is similarly out of form anyway so who or what is it that will make the difference and turn all those positive territory , clean break and offload stats into tries and losses into wins? A proper hooker would help immensely. Really though we're hoping that Sneyd clicks , Pryce stays fit and Abdull kicks on , similar to last year then so fingers crossed again.....

Quote ="Sheldon"There's some players who can a very good job is its kept really basic, Manu and Adam Blair are two. Ask him to do anything "extra" and he can't deal with it.'" Well our tactics and playbook aren't that sophisticated so may suit him Some pre season fluff: m.hulldailymail.co.uk/Sika-Manu- ... story.html

Quote ="Sheldon"There's some players who can a very good job is its kept really basic, Manu and Adam Blair are two. Ask him to do anything "extra" and he can't deal with it.'" Well our tactics and playbook aren't that sophisticated so may suit him Some pre season fluff: m.hulldailymail.co.uk/Sika-Manu- ... story.html

My 17

Shaul
Michaels
Logan
Fonua
Talanoa
Pryce/Abdull
Sneyd
Watts
Houghton
Ellis
Pritchard
Minichiello
Manu

Washbrook
Taylor
Thompson
Feka

How come everyone is starting ellis at prop? I know he'll probably rotate and maybe spell a prop during game, but id of thought he'd be odds on for starting second row.
Think Radford will go

Taylor
Houghton
Watts
mini
ellis
Pritchard

bench

Manu
Abdul
Bowden
Thompson/Feka

Pritchard will be starting from the bench.
Ellis will be starting at 13

So that's Manu, Abdul, Ellis and Hadley at 13 according to posters on here.

I very much doubt before pre season has even started that Radford 100% knows his 17 never mind going around telling people.

Radford been talking bout him playing prop for ages. First mentioned it 2 yrs ago. Ellis has been outstanding when he's played there.
If pritchard plays 13 through the middle and not running out wide at wingers and centres I'll dead set snap my pass up!!!!

As it stands I would have
Shaul
Michaels
Logan
Fonua
Talanoa
Pryce
Sneyd
Taylor
Houghton
Watts
Minichello
Pritchard
Manu

Ellis
Feka
Thompson
Abdull

My 17

Shaul
Fonua
Tuimavave
Logan
Talanoa
Pryce
Sneyd
Ellis
Houghton
Watts
Mini
Pritchard
Abdull

Taylor
Bowden/Green
Sika
Thompson

If we need a bit more grunt up front Manu can some on for Abdull.

I'd love to see us sign a proper back up hooker, maybe Pita Godinet since he's just left wakey. Release Michaels, then sign a British outside back?

Can't see it happening though....

No Tuimavave??????

It's not really a shock, nobody really knows how good/bad he is, as he has played nearly all his rugby at reserve grade level, plus the fact we are trying to play him in a position that he isn't use too, should mean that it comes as no shock to anyone if he isn't in any fans 17.

He could turn out to be great or a disaster.

Fans 17 maybe but can you see the club bringing him in and not playing him???