Batchelor . You could even name Crowther he must be getting close this year, the club has invested some real time and money into the lad, unlike others they've let go after the step up.

I might not be a Hull supporter but saw plenty of him & completely agree. Obviously, he wasn't in his absolute prime but even slightly less than that he was still an awesome player and as an opposition, you were happy to see his name, not on the team sheet. The blokes work ethic, tackling and strong runs were all still there until the end. The only thing you can say is his injuries caught up with him, just like any great player.

I must admit I’d forgotten about Paea signing and that forward pack should be very good again. I’m not criticising the Hull line up, I think it’s very strong but it’s probably not quite as strong as last year imo. It will still be good enough to challenge for the lot but with a leader like Ellis in and a player in Fonua who caused all sorts of problems, I think I’d have had you as favourites for everything.

As it stands I can’t sit here and say one is a favourite out of Hull, Cas, Leeds, Saints, Wigan or Warrington. I wouldn’t rule out Wakey or even Huddersfield from making a decent run of things.

Imagine how ineffective he could have been without lifting them back to back Challenge Cups at Wembley for the first time(s) in our 152 year history.

Widnes and Salford look the weakest by some margin to me, then KR, Catalan and Wakey.

I also think Cas might struggle to stay near the top - when you look at individual players, their 17 really isn't that good, but in Powell they have a coach who absolutely gets more than the sum of its parts. The loss of Hardaker, any injury or loss of form from Gale, plus teams having a full off season to work out how to combat the free flowing, spread it wide attack of Cas will see them find 2018 much harder I think. Could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time), but I don't see Cas making the 4.

IMO It'll be Leeds, Wigan, Wire and then Saints or Hull for the top 4, probably Saints.

NO i didnt forget him he's already on the bench. I fully expect him blow SL away this season injuries permitting - young player of the year hopefully Wakefield don't give five year deals to 19 year olds very often if ever which says it all to me.

Grix
Caton-Brown/Johnstone
Lyne
Tupou
Jones-Bishop
Miller
Finn
England
Randell
Fifita
Ashurst
Horo
Arona

Wood
Pauli Pauli
Huby
Hirst

Barba
Makinson Morgan Percival Grace
Lomax Richardson
Douglas Roby Thompson
Taia Peyroux
Knowles

Fages Wilkin Amor Walmsley

With Swift, Smith, LMS and Bentley actually being the key. Over the last few years there's been too clear divide in the squad between first choice and "cover", and the clear out (Owens, Richards et al) shows that Holbrook isn't interested in that, which is the biggest positive of all.

Feel really positive going into next season as a Saints fan, much more so than last year. Only time will tell of course.

To be brutally honest anywhere outside of bottom 4 is the first aim. In the 2 previous seasons the LLS winners have ended up bottom 4 the following season, so to break that trend is OK by me. I’m not overly convinced by our recruitment, but DP seems to be able to make the sum greater than its parts, so who knows?

I think that should be the aim for every single club. First 8 games or so you should be hoping for at least 4 wins or more otherwise a bit of nerves and lack of confidence could set into any team.

I see that Leeds' rivals have realised the only way to stop us winning SL is to wipe out our training ground and a fire was deliberately started there today but doesn't seem to have caused any serious damage......the lengths our rivals will go to

Hull will miss Ellis and Fonua (although I have a good feeling about Farmino)

I'd say our 17 is slightly weaker,but our squad is stronger, really have to try and finish in the top 2 this year and get a home semi, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to not do as well in the cup.

Exactly. He’s identified where the team needs strengthening and has done so. Ignore the Wakefield fans, they have had their first top 6 finish in 49 years and in doing so have become loud about it

Regards

King James

To be fair if a new coach "making the right noises" meant anything then just about every new coach would succeed at their new club.

Ellis was a good on field leader but we didn't miss him for his playing ability
8th of the Hull forwards (not incl Houghton in any of these) for Tackle Busts
=6th of the Hull forwards in metres made
4th of the forwards in av.metres/carry
8th of the forwards in Try assists

10th in tackles made
=4th worst in tackles missed (as a %)
2nd in errors (his best stat by a mile)
Chris Green was his equal in attack/defence, I stand by my statement that Ellis was ineffective in attack last 2 years.