Maybe on his first year but would he have been better this year who knows, overseas players often take a year to settle you now have two players to settle in over here they are always a gamble tbh Burns a massive loss and josh

You told us how much of a liability Burns was, now he's harder to replace than Dobson was. Your agenda is shown for what it is when you move the goal posts to suggest that Keating "might" have been awesome next season...

fc-eaststander, for the record Bailey is a replacement for Poore NOT Costigan.

Oh dear, we are all going to hell in a handcart, every single player we have recruited is a pale shadow of the player they are replacing, and we had better get used to bottom feeding. Meanwhile, our neighbours will "have a great shot at the title" having risen from the depths of 11th via a Leon Pryce inspired conquest of all & sundry. Rovers are fecked, we better get used to it.

Quote ="SirStan"Oh dear, we are all going to hell in a handcart, every single player we have recruited is a pale shadow of the player they are replacing, and we had better get used to bottom feeding. Meanwhile, our neighbours will "have a great shot at the title" having risen from the depths of 11th via a Leon Pryce inspired conquest of all & sundry. Rovers are fecked, we better get used to it.'" Leon Pryce is THAT good, don't you know? In fairness, I think Rovers recruitment has been better than our own as a whole. It's quite telling that both sides seem to have this large turnover of players each year, whereas the top sides seem to tick along, replacing 2/3 players a season. I guess that's what we're both aiming for in the longer term. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=568639

Quote ="SirStan"Oh dear, we are all going to hell in a handcart, every single player we have recruited is a pale shadow of the player they are replacing, and we had better get used to bottom feeding. Meanwhile, our neighbours will "have a great shot at the title" having risen from the depths of 11th via a Leon Pryce inspired conquest of all & sundry. Rovers are fecked, we better get used to it.'" Leon Pryce is THAT good, don't you know? In fairness, I think Rovers recruitment has been better than our own as a whole. It's quite telling that both sides seem to have this large turnover of players each year, whereas the top sides seem to tick along, replacing 2/3 players a season. I guess that's what we're both aiming for in the longer term. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=568639

Quote ="Errlee Berd"Leon Pryce is THAT good, don't you know? In fairness, I think Rovers recruitment has been better than our own as a whole. It's quite telling that both sides seem to have this large turnover of players each year, whereas the top sides seem to tick along, replacing 2/3 players a season. I guess that's what we're both aiming for in the longer term. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=568639'" I hope so at my age its hard to keep remembering all the players names has we both change them every year

Quote ="Errlee Berd"Leon Pryce is THAT good, don't you know? In fairness, I think Rovers recruitment has been better than our own as a whole. It's quite telling that both sides seem to have this large turnover of players each year, whereas the top sides seem to tick along, replacing 2/3 players a season. I guess that's what we're both aiming for in the longer term. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=568639'" I hope so at my age its hard to keep remembering all the players names has we both change them every year

I'd be interested to know how you feel you signings compare (on paper) to the ones that have left,

IMO your 2-5 looks much stronger, question marks over who plays FB, which is a really key position now in attack and defence, as much as Eden made mistakes, he still offered a massive threat in attack.

I don't think Blair is as good as Burns (who I thought had a great season), but Kelly should be much better than Keating if he is injury free.

Props will be slightly stronger as bailey is an improvement on an absent Poore, although you still seem to lack depth if you get injuries.

Hooker is the main area, as you have gone from one of the best in the league and your best player IMO, to two very inexperienced players.

Backrow looks solid, but lacks flair and attacking ability.

I think you need a top hooker, a prop, backrower, and back up half (unless you are planning on using Robinson).

To be fair, I think Chester knows this, but can he recruit the quality needed at this late notice?

Hampshire would be a great signing as he can play FB and cover halfs, you have one overseas spot left (according the HDM) so I reckon that would be used for a hooker as I don't see much quality available in the UK.

Summed up very well, doubt you will get many arguments against of what you have put.
Still very hopeful of a quality hooker coming in, plus if we can fill the other roles mentioned, I would be confident of a top 8 finish. The season after if we can keep the squad together, even higher, hopefully.

Main concern for both Hull teams is, do they have right coach in place though.

The more I'm seeing of players brought in, the more confidence I'm getting in Chester. Huge turn around in players, 2 recently just announced as leaving, been a tough time for Chester.

All of the teams who finished 7th to 11th have improved their squads with the exception of widnes. Should be an interesting season and some decent looking teams will be outside the 8

How do you work that out? Heremaia is much better than Jon Clarke, We didn't have a big front rower last season now we've got one in Manakafoua and Chris Clarkson has come in from Leeds to replace Dave Allen. An improvement for mine and we still have another prop to come in the next fortnight.

He talks bolox vikingman. Take no notice.

It has mad a few froth from the mouth. My work here is done.

Your work is far from done, carry on!

He will be known by that moniker long after his career is done

You got lucky getting into the 8 last season IMO and won't do it again this. salford have added dobson and locke to the side that started last season, Hull now have 2 half backs who should be better than they have had for some time, catalans have signed the best player in SL and rovers have recruited well IMO but may take time to gel. widnes have signed some cast offs

Widnes deservedly finished in the top 8 in 2014 and looking at their recruitment and retention I don't think that they will go backwards in 2015. Its down to Rovers, Salford, Hull and Wakey to improve significantly if we want to overtake them.

I think 4 teams are certain to make the 8, in Wigan, Saints, Warrington and Catalans. Hudds and Leeds should, but long term injury to Brough and Sinfield could change that. That really leaves 2 places for the rest and there isn't much between the 6 teams. I think it will be a very good season and one that is hard to predict.

You know less than I thought which is impressive

leeds have cleared out some of their dross so I expect them to add some players and I can't see any way they'll not be in the top 6. Not sure who hudds have recruited but agree they could be vulnerable

Reading the forums it seems they won't be brining anyone in, but using youngsters. Maybe big upgrades on the likes of Hall and Watkins is having an impact.

I've always liked Bailey, on the field.

He's a niggly horrible prop that does his job well, wins penalties, actually doesn't concede that many and at thirty might be up for new challenge.

Never met him off the field, couldn't care less.

He also has the potential for excellent hair.

hopefully he's up for new challenge. Could be a cracking signing if he is

Bl00dy hope he is