Best

Elliot Kear (Bradford) - Looked like a pretty handy player in the 4nations, got him just before his reputation soared.

Andy Lynch (Hull) - Very underrated player imo.

Robertson (Broncos) - Decent coup for London.

Trent Waterhouse (Wire) - Adds to an already massive pack.

Bad...

Lauaki (Wigan) - Just don't understand it at all.

Lance Hohaia (Saints) - Going off the fact he's said he's come to play as a halfback, breaking up that partnership of Lomax and Gaskell doesn't sound like a good idea. Plus the fact his knee's are shot.

Tony Martin (Hull) - Just an outright bad player.

Tim Smith (Wakefield) - Good luck.

The likes of Richard Moore and Lauaki, whilst not great players, aren’t integral to their sides. They are pretty superfluous. I cant see either playing all that regularly and are more likely cover for injuries and to allow players like Peacock and Fielden to be spelled throughout the season and rested in games which have been picked as easy wins. Therefore, however bad they turn out to be it isn’t going to have a huge impact on either clubs seasons, so they cant really be judged as the ‘worst signings’ because they just aren’t that important.

Best,
Trent Waterhouse, quality player
Kaufusi, Big, strong, aggressive prop
Ali, wont play every game, wont play every minute of the games he does play. Can be a game changer though, and I have a feeling he will have a bit of a Indian summer in a team which doesn’t have the expectation of Leeds. A bit more freedom should suit him down to the ground
Hohaia, quality player, will fit in nicely at St’s

Worst.
Tim Smith, poor player in an integral position.
Millington, a nothing player in a team which needs him to stand up
Collis, less than average, poor replacement for millard
Heremaia, will be overshadowed by a talented kid.

Bit of a pointless thread really. Isn't it worth seeing how these players actually get on first? This is only going to overhype or slate someone.

I am sure Bradford thought Orford was going to be a great signing and that Wigan had David Vaeliki down as a world beater before they actually played.

My own club, Hull, have over egged some signings in the past, Alan Hunte being a classic example, yet some players with relatively modest reputations, like Shane McMenemy were great for us.

good
hohia (sp)- bring a new dimension to an already good attacking side
lynch- will improve an already impressive pack
waterhouse- very good powerful player
ratchford- think playing in a dominant am will allow him to shine.

Bad
martin- average at best throughout his time in sl and on the downhill slope.
moore- had one good season a few years ago and has looked below average since
ah van-terrible player in defence and doesnt punch his weight in attack
tim smith- a tunrstyle in defence and doesnt take the line on

You could state that any thread predicting the future is a 'bit pointless' e.g. The 2012 league table prediction thread, crowd/score attendances during the season. In reality it's a bit of pre season fun while there is nothing else better to discuss.

Best:

Lance Hohaia (Saints)
Andy Lynch (Hull)
Trent Waterhouse (Warrington)
Luke Gale (Bradford)

Worst:

Tommy Lee (Hull)
Ephelame Lauaki (Wigan)
Richard Moore (Leeds)
Graeme Horne (Hull KR)

Tommy Lee is at Huddersfield.

Worst is without doubt Tim Smith. There may be worse players that have been signed by clubs that haven't playedsuperleague but this guy has and stank the place out.

As for the best I honestly don't think there's been too many stand outs but I'd guess guys like Waterhouse and Laffranchi will go well. One player I've seen a lot of who I think will be the bargain of the off season is Mark Flanagan. He was a good player before his NRL experience and I think he'll be better now.

Not sure why...

Hohaia and Waterhouse are proven players on the international stage and I believe both will do very well this year.

Lynch is a real unsung hero and will do well in a Hull pack alongside the likes of O'Meley, Moa and Manu.

As for Gale, I was really impressed with him at Quins last season and I believe he has the potential to do well at Bradford...his kicking game is good, he can score tries and whilst not the best is solid on defence. Only time will tell but I think he is a definate improvement on what you have had at Odsal for a long time and will do very well in 2012!!

??? I was saying I agreed with you!!!! And for exactly the reasons you outline!

Given that a ball hasn't been kicked and won't be for several months, I'm amazed at the conviction some people display when posting their views.

I guess it's true what they say about opinions and ar5eholes - this thread appears to be full of both.

Prediction threads by there nature tend to happen before something happens, as someone else said its just something to amuse people in the off season, relax.

People seem to have him in both.
He'll need his wits about him, as Saints have some good youngsters trying to nail down a spot - Lomax, Gaskell, Wheeler, Makinson

I can see him ending up playing the role Moore did last year, coming off the bench at 13 to add impetous and fill whatever role the particular match needs.

I'm perfectly relaxed, but thanks for your concern.