Throughout his career at Hull, Manu has been far more effective when starting games.

I agree.

who's to say gentle won't improve our right hand defence with good coaching and organising.

houghton to start at hooker initially with heremaia off the bench after 20 mins - just like he's been doing at the warriors in their last few games. otherwise team as others have said

1. McKinnon
2. Sharp
3. Martin
4. Yeaman
5. T. Briscoe
6. Seymour
7. Ellis

8. O'Meley
9. Houghton
10. Lynch
11. Tickle
12. Manu
13. Westerman

14. Heremaia
15. Aspinwall
16. O'Carroll
17. Moa

To be quite honest, it's hard to say which way he's most effective because of the fact that he's played the vast majority of games from the start. He may well be better from the bench, we simply haven't seen it often enough to properly judge.

Can't believe people are moaning all ready.

In Martin and Aspinwall the club have signed two players for 1 year who have proven SL experience, and won't be costing much on the cap. While of course I would prefer 2 State Of Origin, Aussie or Kiwi internationals to be joining the team...there simply wasn't the budget or anyone available for this to happen for next year.

Next year I would be happy for a place in the top6, being competitive against the top4 and a good cup run. The assault on the Top4 can come the year after when Gentle's had the time and budget to improve the squad.

Tend to agree. Manu's played a lot of minutes under Agar, but the majority were without any halfbacks to speak of and with Plan A being, having run out of ideas in the first 10 minutes, give it to Manu with 3 defenders on him twice a set and expect him to drag the team forward. If expected to do less graft he could do 80 minutes and be more effective IMO.

i agree i do think Martin and Aspinwall are pretty weak signings due to the recent players we were linked to how did we end up with those two? im not saying they are bad but we should be aiming a little higher than those now

1.mckinnon
2.whiting
3.martin
4.yeamen
5.briscoe
6.seymour
7.ellis
8.omeley
9.houghton
10.lynch
11.westy
12.manu
13.tickle
subs
14.heremia
15.moa
16.ocarroll
17.turner/green

i bet your a bundle of fun to be sat near , or maybe you are that moaning get i had the pleasure of listening to all season

An opportunity missed imo. We had the chance to sign quality and show our intent but weve just ended up looking like we have for recent seasons ie mediocre.

Yes thats me though i wish you'd stop stroking my leg!

The top players just aren't available.Look around SL in general as no teams have made any top drawer signings,and tbf,we had already strengthened in the area most needed,the halves.

the last thing on my mind was stroking your leg believe me . but in all seriousness who do you think we could of got everyone is struggling with getting quality , in all fairness im happy with where we are at the moment so lets not judge till they have had a chance to show what they can do

HORNE at 6 , not good enough

I think we'll certainly be better than last year, if only because we have proper halfbacks. I'd like to see Whiting given a proper run at loose forward or interchange SR this year. I think he's earned that opportunity with his consistent performances. The rest of the side picks itself.

I want to see Ellis oust Horne, we need quality halfback play next season.

I want to see our best players, decided on form by the coach, playing in each position - regardless of what their names happen to be or what preconceptions I may have.

preconceptions based on watching him not being good enough for at least three seasons

But preconceptions nonetheless. Especially as you have no idea how good or bad Ellis is going to play in SL. And one is a 6 while the other is a 7.

which is why I said it's what I want/hope to see, not expect.

what about swapping both wingers around? Hall has played on the left for Leeds all season but has done a great job for England on the right. Yeaman might help Sharp defensive, and people moan about him not passing to Briscoe enough. Briscoe might get more opportunities on the right. Its just a thought.

I hope this will be Gentle,

As he knows relatively little about the players I don't think he will favour Horne in a way the previous regime did,

It is easy to imagine Kath et al placing pressure to play Horne over other players

remember Horne was McRae's chosen one