Well that’s a surprise Jamie Ellis to Castleford 3 year deal Thought happy or sad ?

Surprised that's for sure! Obviously he won't get a game unless Roberts or gale is injured but powell must of seen something. Optimistic on who we bring in now though! Part of me did think he would of been our first choice 7 next season which would of worried me but signing mags lessened the dread.... anyhow good luck to him played his part in our promotion but for me not super league level.

Not really sure how I feel about this. We have had better, but we have also had worse.
Can,t blame him if he has got a better deal than we have offered(if we offered one at all).
But, we now definitely need another half. McGuire and Atkin, but then who? Not Marsh. Blair is a forward not a back.
Preferably someone who can also kick goals.
Stating the bleedin obvious, Goal kicks win matches, we must have a good one.

I believe Atkin can kick goals

The thing what worried me with Ellis is he was often outplayed by the opposition scrum half in the championship he seemed to play when he wanted to

I'm not sure it was when he wanted to, it was more that he struggled as the main ballplayer and organiser. If he plays behind a dominant pack and alongside a good organiser he will go ok, wasn't what we needed next year tho. Think he lacks the confidence and swagger of a top half.

Good luck to him though, will get a good reception at CP.

Depends how much McGuires heart is in it, a bit like you all said about Kelly, I hope he carries on with the form he’s shown recently, (that goes for McGuire and Kelly!), I think you still need some grunt and a bit more pace, but FC need pace (and the ability to use it too!)

I thought his best game was against Leigh in the cup and I was thinking why can't he play like that against lesser teams that's why I had the opinion he seemed to play when he wanted to

Not sure about pace I think all our backs have pace the slowest is probably Carney but he has other attributes

Good luck to him he may be just what Powell wants & has a roll for him it might just be a good fit for both parties. I trust Tim Sheens in his judgment, we do need one more half, Carney may be the one but if pushed Blair can cover, marsh is not ready yet. Also Ellis may have wanted to much(or Giants) or not wanted to stay. Best of luck to him anyway , I always take an interest in all our ex players.

Marsh is 24, if he is not ready now then when will he be? personally I think the kid is utter rhubarb, and I cannot think of a player who offers so little, yet is so highly rated. If someone can offer an alternative argument as to what he is good at then please state this. I would pay him off his contract and use Harris as the "up and coming" back up half.

He only turned 22 in April according to his Hull KR website player profile.

I don't think he's a worldbeater by any stretch, but he seems to attract a huge amount stick when other young players have generally got away with 'not letting anybody down', at this stage of their career.

Harris has left am i right?

I think it's because it's such a pivotal position I remember people raving about Matty Berrahal and then he didn't make it at the same time people were talking about this kid Matty Marsh coming through saying how good he was personally I don't think he's good enough but he seems to get a lot of stick when others get away with it Quinlan been one for me

Yep - announced as a Doncaster player on a 2 year deal.

They've also signed Litten, Lane, Sanderson and Osborne from Hull on year long loans.

He is a good water carrier and he cleans the players boots or he should that is all he is good for

Underwhelming effort in recruitment so far

It's still very early days and Rovers are making space. Clark to Cas today.

I think we need to be patient. We got some good players last year by not rushing our recruitment.

Now Mitch Clark has been confirmed as gone, I think there will be an announcement shortly of an overseas player. This is not me saying I'm in the know btw, its just that the club specifically mentioned him leaving would free up a non fed place. This type of announcement to me is usually followed with another about a new signing within a couple of days.

Totally agree.

I wish Ellis all the best - he will be remembered for his contribution in 2017.

Did ok with us. Had a big burden with Quinlan missing for big periods.
Lacked confidence and would have been overwhelmed in superleague.

Overall Ellis made a massive impact on our promotion. Played loads of games, kicked loads of goals and made a fair few assists. He'll never make a SL dream team, but it's unfair imo that he copped a lot of unjustified stick he didn't deserve from some of our fans.

Now that he and Abdull have both left as well as Harris, there is a noticeable lack of depth in the halves, despite the arrival of McGuire. Marsh is not up to scratch. I really hope we sign an experienced overseas half to start alongside McGuire while Atkin reaches full potential.

I agree on the Ellis points and he looked better when Abdull was alongside him, time will tell if he can kick on in alongside Gale, hope he does as he played a vital part in our most important season.

The half back issue is an awkward one, I think alongside McGuire Atkin will thrive and I'd love to see him given a good go as first choice. I'm not sure how we cover DM for injuries though as we would be lucky not to have DM out for at least a short period.

Maybe we will keep ZDC and use him, I think him and DM awould be a good fit but him and Atkin wouldn't. So tricky one for TS to sort. Personally think he'll use Marsh and or Blair as cover.

I think Addy will have limited opportunities to play in the second row in 2018 if we keep him.
His only real hope is to impress during the world cup in the half's for Scotland, and he just may get a chance to be DM''s understudy
If not, and we don't bring anyone in, Quinlan maybe the answer

Addy prefers Loose Forward, doesn't he?

I have to say that unlike Clark, Greenwood and Quinlan after injury comeback, Addy was one of the players who kept on getting better and better last year after an anonymous start. Kavanagh also, despite not being injured.