Quote: Bully_Boxer "Agree 100%. In fact I think we could also do with adding a winger but we do have some scope to use Purtell there if injuries strike or Kear/Ainscough are out of form.
Not sure I share Peter Hood's optimism that we're fairly and squarely top 8 material. I think we'll be there or thereabouts but we'll need to hope that Manase comes good and we don't get many injuries to the pack. There surely has to be an improvement on last seasons efforts though.'"
I usually feel optimistic at the start of the season, probably overly so as I've felt we 'should do OK' for the last three seasons to be honest. I think I've said before that much will depend on injuries (as always, and for all sides) and, of course, that all important bit of luck!
Not sure what else PH could have said though. I suppose he could have said something like the guy who was top man at Ratners, who said something like "our jewellery won't last as long as a prawn sandwich", but that did little for [ihis[/i career prospects, or his company's sales figures, IIRC. In normal circumstances though the chairman [ihas[/i to talk up the product, if he doesn't stand up and say it's good why would anyone buy a ticket? Obviously we're free to make of it what we will.
Not sure about needing another winger, I think I'm more pleased that it looks like we might have some centres (and halves) who will get the ball out to the wing, rather than thinking too much about who's out there to receive the pass. Hope we'll be Ok but it'll come down to the dreaded injuries again, I guess.