The sign of a good coach is when average players turn into good ones. It's a bit early to see that so far, but there have been a few improvements. One of the important things for me is that we improve the recruitment team around him, which to my mind has been poor for the last 3 years or so.

The mindset on field has changed I think, definitely more resolve and a willingness to fight all the way

Its just far to early to give a proper opinion yet, " though it does no harm " Myself i have not seen these big improvements that some people are hinting at, nor did i expect too. I am happy to give the guy a proper chance to get his own style going " whatever it is " He just hasn't had the chance yet with injuries and other things, There are a few things that concern me, like what has he in mind for Brierley for example, What does he think we should be doing about replacing Brough " who can't go on indefinitely, I'm not saying he needs replacing now but it's something that needs thinking about before it becomes a real problem.

We are in better order than last year ,for sure and i think if everything goes ok we could be a settled side for the second half of the season, We are not going to pull any root up but we may avoid the middle 8s, Not that i expect it to last beyond this year anyway.

I'm happy to give him some time.

Neither have I seen the massive changes hinted at. I would imagine the hope for a brough replacement is Isaac Farrell- if so he needs to be getting game time soon. Also Ellis is still to come back.
Wakeman and mamo are the only two that stone has signed. We haven't seen mamo yet, but wakeman doesnt look all that promising so far. I get he hasn't had a preseason etc but taai looked to have more promise when he came under similar circumstances even though he "looked like a Christmas turkey".
I think we could still struggle to make the 8 esp with the injuries we have, we need to be picking points up (at home especially) against Salford, and Leigh.

jo widdop coming to super league next year

All but the 1st 2 Bradford signings were made by Rick, Fergy was signed by him after the 4 nations.

That's funny cause it was common knowledge he'd signed before Stone did!

He had, then Rick managed to offload him but saw him in the 4 nations and liked what he saw so 're,re-signed' him.

just lol.

Well Rick was honest enough to admit what happened so fair play to him.

So he didn't want him, tried to offload him then saw him play three times and thought oh ok I'll change my mind. That's one way to get a player playing for you.....


Nathan brown for all his faults took the Giants from 10th to 3rd and the final of the challenge cup in his first season. Stone has had a preseason and enough time at the end of last season to get to know his squad- injuries apart they should now be playing his way.