Is anyone confident we have a better team for next season? Lulia, Purtell, Gale, Sammut, Kear so far in the signings department..... Can we really compete? or do we need more out and better quality?

our backline has been strengthened for sure. hopefully our pack won't fall away too much (if at all) to give them the chance they need to points on the board.

Ever hopeful. Can't be as bad as last season, or the season before that, or the season before that etc. Or can we ? If we are we will be looking for a new coach. Either way it should be interesting, even if not pretty.

Backs look better. Need an addition or two in forwards IMO. Barring another bad run of injuries can't see why a lower playoff spot isn't a realistic aim.

I am looking forward to:
the players that missed half of 2011 with injury coming back fit and sharp and in effect being new recruits
Hargreaves and Scruton back to previous form
Koppy and Tom continuing to develop as they did last season
replacement prop
the burden on the forwards being lifted by a better kicking game from Gale over Herbert
fewer mistakes so more completed sets
all resulting in the pack dominating a bit more than last season because they are not knackered so have the energy to win the collisions

a captain on the pitch that calls the plays
a bit of pace and zip from Sammut
good breaks from Lulia
the preceding resulting in bag loads of tries for the backs and in particular Ainscough and Kear
a much better defence in centre from Purtell (and Lulia)

fewer injuries all round
Bateman Obrien Crossley etc all getting games and developing - but not too many otherwise too many injuries again
generally better defence
beating sides around us not just getting pumped up for teams that we have no chance of overtaking

all resulting in:
a top 8 finish however low

Well, it's another year and another new backline as well as more new half back combinations.

However, this year we don't have a question mark over the return of a player hamstringing our recruitment. The players we've signed are of a better quality than last year.

But I'd have to say 8th spot is the bare minimum the club must achieve. We showed last year that we DID have the ability to run with the big boys (Leeds away, beating the Giants at home, the draw against Saints, pushing Wigan close in the cup).

Still, the club are making noises about another signing to replace Lynch. Hopefully it'll be a strong, solid player and the team next year can find some consistency.

There's a lot of Ifs and Buts. But I'm quietly optimistic.

Heath's return should see us win a few more games alone.

Eighth spot is ridiculously acheivable for this squad next year, and with the addition of a prop the calibre that the club have been touting, we could look higher.

What is imperative is that Kyle Briggs gets his chance, he impressed at the back end of this year and looked the part, IMO.

Hope springs eternal doesn't it?

I always look forward to the next season. The problem comes when I'm looking forward to next season in April or May But at this time of year, surely we are all looking forward to next season?

Oooo Oooo! I love this thread! Well I think the rhinos will kick on big time! Our 3/4 backline of bjb hardaker Watkins hall is gonna tear SL a new one for about a decade if they can stay fit there is 80 trys a season in that 3/4 line! Our pack has youth and experience with massive depth!

I also think for the first time in a long time the bulls if you can keep fit could, with some luck make the 8!

Good luck bulls! All the best!

I can't help looking forward to every season. I think the biggest thing though is whether we now have a group of players that are tight knit, and will sweat blood for each other, whatever the circumstances. If we have cured the disease of non-triers.

If we have, and especially if we can get off to a decent start to restore at least a bit of confidence, then we certainly have both the coach and the personnel to considerably trouble the scorers.

I look forward to every season then after the first few games i tend to think "oh no not again"

But................. the signings made have improved the backs which is what we needed and we just need the forwards to step up and be counted.

I believe we will finsih the seaosn in a comfortable 3rd position



Just joking dont want to be getting shot down, i think with a decent run with no injuries we could easily make it up to 5th/6th but anything in the 8 is an improvement

I'm looking forward to next year to see how Potter uses the old team and the new guys he's brought in. Its the first time that it is his first selection team
Who will be the half back pairing and whats their role- who drives the team about the field- who does the in-field kicking what are we seeking to achieve. where and when and how does he use Kearney. Who is going to organise the defensive line?
Whats the game plan in attack. Will we sling the ball wide from to wingers capable of finishing or will we play a game with tight control .

The sort of forward game we must play in defence is obvious but the forward attacking game might not solely be about always bashing into opposition and dying with the ball for little gain.

So. Yes. Next Year = Look forward with confidence as to what Potter can do. If we have any sort of identifiable game plan(s) next year They will be the first since 2005.