Been a Giants fan for best part of 20 years, not commented on one of these before but often read when bored at work or have a spare minute!

Really concerned at the state of the squad. Simply going backwards, exception of brough,taii (on his day)and Jerry were very average, that's being kind. Granted we haven't seen a lot of Symonds or the new Islander who I wont attempt to spell. No news of anybody coming in. Next year has disaster written all over it..loads of cap space left surely GET SHOPPING or all the progress made over the last 10 years will be gone!!!

I know things seem bad at the moment Ive been pulling my hair our over it too the last month. However, another months patience is needed I believe. If we get to mid Jan and we are in the same position we are in now then I will be seriously worried but a lot can change in a month.

I've said before, I believe some financial rationalisation is going on.
Sure, we've got plenty of money left under the cap - should we wish to spend up to it.
But do we?
I don't believe we do.
Meanwhile the squad is wafer thin and the situation is more concerning by the day.

Regarding the money, Rick knew he had to shift players out before he could bring others in. He's managed to free up some space but the problem now is finding better players to come.

Shame we couldn't get him in 3 or 4 months earlier as he's seen the problems and acted on them but we haven't given him long enough to do it imo.

The main problem seems to be that RS has inherited some players that he didn't choose himself ( whether he knew they were coming when he took the job I don't know ) For myself i agree with letting the player who have left us go, and yes it does leave us vulnerable but i don't believe we have done yet, Most people i think, certainly myself anyway think we have no chance of anything this season other than survival under the circumstances.

To be honest " as i have said elsewhere " that will do me this season, I'm not particularly happy about things but i would rather just survive this season, and be in a good place to get players next season than panic buy and finish up with players we don't really want.

If Brierley goes well this season and the likes of Roberts ( and others ) kick on we can improve things on last season by a long way, And who knows what the Bradford lads will do, I wasn't over the moon with these signings but they are here so we go with them.
I'm putting my faith in KD and RS. I actually feel a bit optimistic, probably because I'm not looking for two much from this season.

Some valid yet worrying comments on this thread.

A lot of talk over our forums over players that Rick Stone has inherited and players he wouldn't have chosen himself.
IF this is the case.. Does a smart coach let it be known to these players, because it seems to be common news.
That to me seems like dejected moral before the season even begins.
To me a smart coach devotes full enthusiasm and confidence in the players he has. A good coach will get the best out of players most would call average.

The squad size issue doesn't bother me as much. I'd like to see us sign a recognised fullback and possibly a prop.
IF our new conditioner is better than the previous and Rick Stone uses his entire squad then I think we'll make big steps forward.
As said in the previous post, expectations shouldn't be high after last season and starting fresh with a new coach.
Stone will have an entire season to sort out 2018 and build on what he wants to achieve.. Bring in the kind of players he wants.

In the mean time, I think as fans, especially before the season starts we should try to stay positive and support our s off. Players don't exaggerate when they say how important the role we play is. Let's create a buzz around the place.

Of course we all look at things differently and each has there own opinion but I am actually quite confident for the coming season! It seems we should have a much fitter squad than last year and I believe we will be more organised, if we add a better work ethic and spirit we will be fine. The standard of SL is not particularly outstanding and a team that displays all those and a sprinkling of players with ability to add the spark(Brough/ Brierley / Cudjoe / McGilvary) will be ok. I know this goes against the grain and will attract derogatory comments but no I am not delusional and ignoring the last 12 months, I just think the coach, New conditioner, and squad changes will freshen things up and lead to a better season.

Another completely realistic post! The question that needs to be asked is why have we been getting weaker and weaker for the last 3 seasons and who is at fault. I'm with you will be delighted if we retain our status and hope that RS is given the time and backing to help us rebuild I think 2 will come in then we need to see how it goes and keep some powder dry as we see who becomes available.

Gazzagiant, I'm with you. I'm quietly optimistic; The players leaving I don't have a problem with but I was concerned with the three coming in. However, as the four nation comp progressed I hoped Dale Ferguson wouldn't be offloaded and if he plays for us like he did Scotland then he'll be better than before. I'm prepared to give the other ex Bulls a chance too.
Mamo deal looks to be still on.

Something was rotten last year. You could see it in the performances most weeks. If the Rickster has changed the attitude of the same players left here and adds a few who not involved in the debacle, we'll survive.

Just hope we don't succumb to our usual poor performances whenever we raise a large crowd, 'cos this year's following will be our biggest ever.

Looking forward to the New Stone Age.

Problem is there is still a big Q mark over the spine of the team,I mean 1,6,7,9. Not to mention problems with the props now Huby is moving on.

As things stand don't see us challenging for the trophies,but under Stone think we will be an improvement on last year.

There was a huge issue with our spine last season

Missing Grix for months, lost Robbo, Ellis unfit, Wood injured and brough trying too hard


Next season I expect this to be very different

Mamo at 1, an exciting player made for SL
Brierley at 6, a young player with international experience and potential to go a long way
Brough at 7, the old master
Leeming at 9 - looked our best 9 and just getting better, will be excellent to see him play bigger minutes

Just incredibly frustrating to be a Giants fan at present. I love the club but everyday I think there just has to be some news addressing our paper thin squad and it is just not happening. Whilst I think we will start next season in a better place mentally and physically we simply cannot get where we want to be with the numbers we have. 3 quality new signings minimum. The longer this goes on the more worried I get.

It's incredibly frustrating to see doom and gloom professed ever single day without a single shred of evidence or rational argument as to why

There's no evidence we are going to have a worse season-any more than there's evidence we will have a better one!
Id say the argument people are worried is because a big factor in the reason we struggled last season was because we had a small squad, a few injuries, disruption and not being able to play a settled side led to losses and then a lack of confidence- we now have not only an even smaller squad but one with a lot less SL experience. some bad luck again at the start with injuries (we are currently without a FB for the start of the season) and people are afraid it could all start again. The problem we had of having a small squad has not been addressed.

Last season We had poor conditioning, bad luck with injuries, lost players late on in pre season and had a collosal amount of disruption all year

So far this season we've cleared out players, we've got a stable side and a new coach

And don't forget we lost a dozen games last season by 4 points scored in the dying minutes of the game

Fix that and we're top 4 again
Look at all the information, not just the negative