Think we are in for a long season once it begins in anger and will be nowhere near the top 4. Once you finish outside the 4 it becomes every more difficult and you have to assess your perception of where the club stands and how it moves forwards. And who knows what is going on in the background with the restructure. I think this season we need to be as strong as we can and hope there are recruits on the way - but surely they would be here by now.

I hope I’m wrong. There’s a lot of positivity around the club right now but I feel it won’t last...

I am all for promoting youth but we look short of experience. Has Rob Worrincy been replaced ? Who will fill the void left by Mitch. His long minutes and strong carries. Who will take on his role? The off field product has improved but without on field success what use will it be.

Harry Kidd? Who is now crocked of course.

Promoting younger players to the first team and developing local players is really good; but we are a bit thin on the ground , lot of players in the squad (on paper) but this division gets tougher year on year and for me it will only take a few injuries and we could struggle......heard we used last years money to settle debts.....hence the big push for season ticket money / dining etc and what about the whole "all the money from season ticket sales will go to directly bolster the squad" ??

All fair enough,just hope we're not budgeting for top 4 this year,as that clearly won't be happening...

True and it will put us on a downward spiral to League 1.....

A certain half back on dual reg from cas incomeing

Welcome to Halifax Luke Gale.

Same as last year all negativity. Lets see how the the 1st games pan out. Mitch has gone great player but who else worrincey game changer on his day and plenty of entusiasm but also a could be liability. Get behind the team. Off field looks to be going great which must surely help with keeping the club on an even keel with hopefuly some funds available to add to a very good squad. RM has said again their are potential signings still.

Hear Hear Banish negative thoughts

Unfortunately my impeccable source re Blackmore was wrong I wont make that mistake again look fwd to having a pint with you enjoy Ipswich !!

Add in to that Boyle as well, nothing spectacular but a good solid pro with some size, and our pack looks incredibly lightweight. If we are thinking of playing Fairbank,Morris, and Tangata as front rowers then it would be a mistake for mine as all 3 are not even that big for 2nd rowers and wont give us the punch we need.

Regards the negativity I don't think its negativity just obvious observations. Anyone who thinks we have not fallen behind the likes of Fev and Toulouse on paper when it comes to recruitment is deluded. Luckily games are not played on paper but it would take a monumental effort from the players we have to beat Fev, Toulouse, and London to a position in the top 4. FWIW I think we only really need a half back, hooker and a prop to put us in good shape so about 100k should do it. In all seriousness though Im not sure we will get those players from Cas, In Maher and Douglas we have probably the only props we will get off them. Douglas looks decent enough but jury will be out on Maher and with Hardaker messing up it also affects the chances of us getting a half off Cas as Roberts will probably move to full back. Trueman has potential but how would he go behind a pack not as dominant as Cas's?

We will be there or there abouts come the end of the season but unlike last season where I thought we might sneak in to the top 4 I feel this season we will just miss out. If the club can sustain the loss of 200K and make that up and then some for the season after then Im totally fine with having this season without speculating to accumulate.

Does anyone else have the feeling that with a new board and possibly some outstanding debts being called in that the club looks upon this season as a holding operation.
It seems money is tight and with a tranche of clubs (Fev , Leigh, London, Toronto and Toulouse) who seem to have money to burn possibly the thought in the boardroom is that top four may be out of reach this year. With this in mind perhaps some money is being put aside to have a tilt at a more realistic attempt of top four prize money next year.
I am sure we will be competitive and will hopefully turn over a few of the above teams and that it will go down to the wire. Lets see some of the spirit that was shown in Toulouse last season. A great game and a great weekend. I am looking forward to an interesting season of Championship rugby.
UTF

There’s a restructure next season and SL clubs are now running SL and Wood is gone. You can bet that the prize for gaining top 4 next season will not match this coming season’s prize. Especially if Toronto hit SL. There will be an almighty clang as the door shuts