Quite a few changes at HKR. Still a lack of british talent, which is something you'd think they'd have sorted by now. Probably hanging around th 8th spot for me. Will spring the odd surprise. Gald we've extended the stadium, mean's more of their millions of fans can get to watch them away.


Hull K.R.
1-Shannon McDonnell
2-Craig Hall
3-Kris Welham
4-Jake Webster
5-David Hodgson
6-Blake Green
7-Michael Dobson
8-Joel Clinton
9-Josh Hodgson
10-Scott Taylor
11-Constantine Mika
12-Ben Galea
13-Rhys Lovegrove
14-Lincoln Withers
15-Liam Watts
16-Jason Netherton
17-Ryan O'Hara
18-Graeme Horne
19-Scott Murrell
20-Jordan Cox
21-Sam Latus
22-Scott Wheeldon
23-Mickey Paea
24-Richard Beaumont
25-Keal Carlile
26-George Griffin
27-Louis Sheriff
28-Dave Petersen
29-Liam Salter
30-Aaron Ollett
31-Nick Johnson
32-Chris Heil
33-James Green

A struggle.

Galea is out for a couple of months with knee trouble, Newton gone. So their backrow which I always thought was their strength is severely weaker. Throw in Vella for good measure and they look light to me in the pack. I liked Watts a year or two back but he looks to be one that's hard to handle off the field.

The backs, if you've strengthened by recruiting David Hodgson, well, you've not have you. They'll miss that Green too.

Unless the new gaffer is a genius and a genius at working with really limited resources I think they could really struggle this year, like 10th/11th.

Fair assessment.

JWPs assessment of Rover's chances is far from a fair assessment dum dum.
He talks as if Galea and Green's season's are already over. As for Vella, well, as much as I thought 'horse' was a fabulous player it was time for him to hang his boots up. Oh, and not a mention of a rejuvenated Joel Clinton or our latest discovery from last seaon Scott Taylor, who would have played for the England Knights if he hadn't opted for surgery.

I do agree with JWP about Newton/Galea 2nd row partnership, but we have young blood in Con Mika and the mountain Jordan Cox who are both going to make a big impact on this season.

Its a pity JWPs assessment overlooked our pre-season prop signings; Paea and O'hara for starters, but more importantly our new 9 Lincoln Withers; he is a cut above what we have had before, no disrespect to Fisher. I also think he has overlooked another new signing, Shannon McDonnell by picking out the easy target Dave Hodgson.

I do agree, Blake Green is a massive loss to us but so would Briers for Warrington. But we have cover in the squad and Dobbo as the general.

At least he does mention our new coach although imo he has made his assessment based on Justin Morgan's blueprint. Sandercock will be more than happy to fly under the radar with a new look team. Again, imo we are going to be the surprise package of 2012.

As for Warrington's chances in 2012, its a case of whether they can shrug off last season's disappointment with an aging front row, and the major loss of Matt King. I think Warrington's season will be measured by the fitness of Briers and whether Latchford can fulfill his potential. I expect them to be in the top 4 but feel they are behind Saints and Wigan.

The only surprises IMO is the odd result here and there.

Might scrape into the 8 again but can't see any impact in the play-offs. Still a good cut adrift of last years top 6. Between Cas, and both Hulls again for 7th and 8th.

I thought it was fair, without being blinded by my own ignorance, I think we'll struggle to make the top 8, too many new faces and ideas together with what is a big loss in Green, there's every chance he won't play this season. It only takes a Sam Moa-esque late hit on Dobbo and that's our season over.

I admire your optimism, I really do.

There's a few if's in there sure, a couple of players in there who could be better than expected as we've little or no knowledge of them, I do like that Cox. I remember the game vs Hudds on SKY, he was excellent. I honestly thought Watts had the world at his feet though and he's fell off.

You can't be spending full cap with that squad I presume, there's no way is there? There's just too many run of the mills in there for me, Rhys Lovegrove etc.

It looks a bit like one of the squads that Cull used to put together, you had 17 first teamers and a few kids he thought could do a decent job like Pickersgill, Bracek etc but who invariably wouldn't.

I think he'll have performed a miracle if he gets that squad above any of Warrington, Wigan, Saints, Leeds, Catalans, Huddersfield - without question they're the best teams by some distance. Excluding them, To target 7th, you need to finish above Hull, Castleford, Bradford realistically, so the ceiling is 7th, more likely 8th downwards behind Hull. 7th-11th the margins might be very little, games against each other may be pretty meaningful I reckon.

JWP, Rovers have spent approx 90% of the cap and I would stay stum on this point because it is one of SLs mysteries how your club manages to stay within limits!

I will be over the moon if Rovers make the top 4, but I am a realist and see us finishing in the lower tier of the play-offs. We will definitely make one of the spots.

I sort of understand your comment about Liam Watts, he did go off the rails but he knows it and is back on track. He has a lot to prove and has knuckled down under Sandercock's tutelage. Yes, I am very optimistic about the coming season with the likes of Jordan Cox and another giant James Green coming thro.

You might not be surprised by this comment, but I reckon FC will struggle to make the play-offs - too many changes in the pivots and on the evidence of the derby they are a good month off the pace. Perhaps your team can exploit this in the opening fixture - fingers crossed lol!

It helps having just 5 overseas players, as opposed to 11. We also get more for having at least one player who has served in excess of 10 years with the club, plus the maximum dispensation for home international players.

Its a bigger mystery how you spend 90% of the cap and end up with a squad like that.

I read elsewhere that Warrington are willing to give longer contracts to a few older players than most clubs and if that means the likes of Morley and Briers staying with the club, then it's a good policy. I don't buy into the Warrington
fiddling the cap talk. Just think it's a good squad with an astute coach.

As for Hull KR, as mentioned, if Dobson gets a long term knock with the already injured Green, they don't seem to have much cover. Not a bad side full strength, but I still feel they lack depth in certain positions.

Obviously a few players being massively overpaid. You're right it's an average squad which will be lucky to finish in the top 8.

That old chestnut....Pint of bitter please

weve got a few players who will suprise people this year, Paea, Mika and McDonnell look good, weve got some good young lads knocking at the door now too, Taylor and Cox will hopefully push on this year, but we could do without anymore injuries, esp to key players. I reckon well make the play offs, 7/8th like last season but thats it, IMO were still a long way off the top sides and we dont have the financial clout to compete with them, but were triers though.

as for Wire, how do you replace Matt King, hes a big loss for you guys. Morley, Hodgson and Briers are not getting any younger either, but youll defo be there or thereabouts i reckon.

Briers hasn't had any legs for god knows how many seasons, as long as he avoids injury, he can just sit in the middle of the park running things for at least another 2 years, Moz just inspires people around him to play better and puts the fear of god into people when they have the ball.
With Hodgson we have at least 3 players who can cover FB more than comfortably, Bridge, Riley and Ratchford possibly even Evans and with the kids coming through i think we'll surprise a few people in about 2014-2015.