If we can keep all our players healthy and on the field then of course we can do better than the last couple of years. Injuries to key players always hit any squad hard.

shhh - your not allowed to mention injuries. according to some on here injuries are irrelevent and we are expected to win no matter how many key players are injured and if we fail to do so its a sure sign that we're in decline and the coach is crap

We haven't ruffled any feathers at all with our rivlas due to the signing of Bird.

That's why they've all been beating a path to RAB today to tell us all about it

Now hang on. You've been on other boards sticking for us lately and there's been a distinct hint of genuine positivity over the Bird signing from your good self. Come on, put all that pain behind you.....

you mean the saints game where we were missing tadulala,solomona,tupou and jeffries and saints were missing cayless,wilkin and fasavalu? and we came back from 16 nil down to only lose by a converted try?

was a pretty decent performance and we were unlucky not to get the win iirc

he said missing, not injured.

It doesn't make a difference. The argument has always been that injuries had an impact on last season but Jefferies wasn't injured when we lost to Saints.

The optimism on here does seem a little OTT. I have stayed away from here because of the same people saying the same things. half of the people shouting that Mcnamara needs sacking, and the other half saying that we should back whatever decisions the club makes no matter what.

FWIW I think Bird is a great signing. But a week ago, people were saying Jeffries deserved a better run in the side and him and a fit Deacon would be a match for most sets of halves. Now, a very good (if morally questionable) stand off signs for us and we are going to win trophies!!

There are a few more important factors in our success or lack of this year. there is no doubt that on paper the squad, if it stays fit is more capable than last years, but where are the matchwinning backs? If there is to be improvement on last year then Nero, Platt, and Sykes are key. I feel that a more explosive, creative half might mean that they are running into gaps rather than on the end of hospital passes, but if they dont up their game we will not be contenders.

Speed from the ruck is also important, so solomons needs to get up in seconds rather than minutes and Newton needs to give Bird and Deacon Good ball.

If the pack stay fit, then we will have a great basis, but we need to polish things up in the creativity stakes.

I realistically think that a fit squad can finish 3rd, then who knows. remember my first son was born in 2003, my second in 2005 and the wife is due another in May!!! It's written in the stars!

That's all on the one thread now - just avoid it

Some posters need to reread this thread, and learn in future to take head out of botty before posting.