Great Post.

See I don’t think it is that risky: having 9 and 6 already combined is a big plus; Frawley and Miller are experienced players and fringe NRL quality: I really don’t think we’ll need too long to look like a team. If the players are good enough they will play well together.

Not really aimed specifically at you mate; I actually think RS is proving a better squad manager than first team coach at this point - personally I agree with just about every departure bar Walters and the only signing he’s made which boils my blood is Olpherts.

We didn’t run out of gas because of RS coaching: we ran out of gas because Austin spat his dummy, Nene went AWOL, Sezer lost interest, Sangare got crocked and various others were injured or having to play out of position etc.

We still ended up thumping Cas missing Holroyd and Smith, two of our best players.

They'll have a full pre-season together to get to know each other too.

Hopefully they'll use the pre-season games efficiently this year.

Agree about Walters and Olpherts.

My point about running out of gas next year was not very well explained.

I hope that Smith does not feel under so much pressure to get a big start to next year that he over trains us pre-season and then we run out of gas mid year, I think Powell may have done last year and John Kear at wakey used to apply that approach to get early season wins to avoid the drop.

I’d like to see us grow through the year and put a good full season together and see where it leads.

Not sure the pack is there to push the top 3 but think it’s important Smith can ensure we have far fewer really poor performances and we get to a better level of consistent good play.

Back to the OP it looks like a “no” at the moment. I have had my faith restored a little - we do still need to see how RS can actually coach with a team like this now, and hopefully better run of injuries.

He has shown remarkable resilience I think. GH has backed him and passed the buck onto him in the process - but honestly looking at our squad we have recruited better than any other side for once.

You might be right about top 3, but for the first time in ages I think we've got some really good football in us. Historically that's generally been the recipe for success. If Oledski regains his form, if Holroyd kicks on again, if Gannon has a breakthrough year? So many Ifs. But this year I think we gave grounds for optimism.

Good post agree with all that.

When RS was appointed one of the conditions was that he could rebuild not just the team but the back room staff as well. Last. Year several players were replaced but we had little room for manoeuvre as several players remained under big contracts filling up the cap. Zac left because we could not match Leigh’s offer. However Leeming departed shortly after the season started leaving cap space. It’s a pity he didn’t go before the season started but these things happen. Nene Mac in hindsight was not such a good signing when you look at his past record of changing clubs but again hindsight is a wonderful gift. Tet was unfortunate with his stroke just as he was actually playing his best football for us and Newman continued to have another injury hit season. Other players players would be off contract including big earners and quota players. Walters was a mistake and I believe if he had been offered a better deal earlier in the season would have stayed. We didn’t and Wigan stepped in so we lost a great prospect. As for the rest personally I am ok with how retention and recruitment has gone , the latter being the best for years.
RS will have pressure on him but there will be no excuses even though he clearly has the backing of GH and we are not traditionally a sacking club. Again next season will see players off contract and some will not stay for whatever reason but this is t nature of the game. If players of the right age are on the last year of contracts it up to them to prove they are worth a new one but if in the meantime they get other offers and go so be it.
I’m really looking forward to next season starting.

Agree about the potential to play much better football which like steves I’m looking forward to seeing.

As you say a lot of ifs , but IF most come off could be our best team to watch for quite a few years.

Mainly agree though we maybe didn't know what contract money would be left over for the likes of Walters before the spine deals were in place. I'd agree with that prioritisation if that was the case. As for Zak, he allegedly was after two years. In no shape or form would he be strengthening our current set up were he still here. Imo of course.

Like your post Clearwing!
I just think we have kept our powder dry re recruitment to the point where lots of posters were calling for GH to go..10 years past his sell by date etc and RS is no good etc. However a few weeks on and we quote have recruited better than anyone else.. not sure about that as Wigan look very strong.
What we all want to see is a good start some good rugby and come the business end of next season a huge improvement even if we don’t have any Silverware. Then for 2025 strengthen at prop and possibly wing.
Hopefully though we have turned the corner and it’s an upwards trajectory.

I'd say on paper our recruitment is some way ahead of anyone else. The difference is Wigan are recruiting as champions and we're recruiting as also-rans. They'd be still some way favourites for next season on that basis. Sts will be strong again as well, and maybe Burgess can add something at Wire. Hopefully a good competition next season, especially if other teams like KR and Leigh stay strong, and even more if Hull/Hudds can improve.

Pete Smith article today stating that GH sees 2024 as a pivotal year and he expects a major improvement given that RS has the team he wants. Not news in itself, but clearly setting out not unreasonable expectations in public puts a marker down.