which teams are bringing in a shed load of players? not the top teams its the ones at the bottom.

leeds making 1 signing. we have made 2.

players have contracts you cant just replace the lot every season, robinson and lunt have another year left so you may have to wait for a monaghan type hooker.

the giants have gone with the policy of having a settled squad and handing in some cases long contracts, the question is it the right way to go about things? we most likely would have missed out on huby if we didnt offer a 4yr deal so its a hard one to get right

catlan and salford are going to be a major force next year as for us when we are playing a very average player like mason a 100k questions need to ask about our CEO again if money short why resign grix

you can't just bring in new players because you haven't won a major trophy, we aren't manchester city or chelsea who can just go and get another world class player.
for a start, these players simply aren't available! and if they were available then the likelihood is that they will go to a top/trophy winning team with a big fanbase, we are neither her nor there in all respects.

what we are is a club with a small but loyal fanbase who have been through more hard times than any other top flight club, a club that has worked our way to where we are now by sheer hard work, dedication and patience, where we are now compared to 10 years ago is astonishing, we haven't done it by splashing the cash on superstars, or by having a world class academy system (although we have done pretty well in that respect considering our standing in the game) we have got to where we are by coaching players well, players who were considered surplus to requirements at other clubs,players who have come through our system, and players who we brought in and made them decent players, we have also had the odd few who were top players, with a sprinkling of good overseas players.

as daz says, we are still building the club, we aren't far off in terms of winning trophies, which in itself it's a remarkable achievement considering only 4/5 other teams have ever been in that position in the super league era, teams with big support and established top flight credentials.
to be able to continue and to make that next step up we need people to get behind the club, to support the club, not walk away because we haven't won anything or aren't signing big stars!

without people supporting the club, there wouldn't be a club now! without people supporting the club we can't move it forward.

there is some ironic stuff kicking about!

I'm not saying we need a shed load of players, 2/3. The top teams may only make 1 or 2 signings because they already have those match winners or an academy that produces them. It's the quality of the signings not quantity. Huby is a good player but did we need another prop? I don't think we did unless we're letting one or two go.

I think we need a leader in the pack whether that would come from a top quality loose forward or a hooker and then someone to take the pressure off DB. Just a thought, who in our team has experience of being part of a successful team? (Lunts Grand Final win doesn't really count). We lack lack that experience.

I'm only saying all this because I want us to move forward and be successful. I've watched them for the last 20 years (I'm only 26) and I will still go to every game even if we sign god awful players. Can't blame me for wanting the club to be better.

P.s we do need a new managing director though!

According to league express your letting Kaufusi leave a year early to return to Australia?

I must admit to being stunned at the attitude of some 'supporters' on this forum.

Last season we were all happy to support the club and the team as we lifted our first silverware in over 80 years and came as close as we have ever done in the Super League era to a place in the Grand Final. We had 5 players in the Dream Team, Coach of the Year, Man of Steel and plenty of players representing us in the World Cup.

Only one year later, with nearly exactly the same players and the same Coach, some are choosing to turn their back on the players and club because of the struggles they have had. I think it was an awful season, I don't see any positives that can be taken from it. But this is exactly when a club and its team need their supporters the most - it's very easy to support a club when the times are good but the true test are times like this.

I may be wrong here but I think there was too much focus on coming good at the "right time" - end of season- to go for the farcical comp that seems to be the Holy grail. I want to see us going for every game as near to full steam as possible, go for the league and CC, and then deal with the end of season comp if or when we get there. I think if the team go with that outlook we might see games and performances we all want. The team is good enough on their day - just need to have plenty of days! I find it hard to understand how people can just walk away - it irritates me when I can't get to a game!

some good points, people really do seem to forget how far we have come in a short space of time, fighting way above our weight , we have been spoilt really with how we have now become a major force in the league season.. would be nice to go that extra step but sometimes we have to have a reality check

indeed they are, on catalans how many overseas players are they allowed?? seems to be more than the UK based teams which is unfair...supposed to be a french team but about 8 were french when they played us?

we have done the mason saga to death.

grix 2yr deal when we have connor and murphy waiting in the wings, well that could be questioned indeed that particular deal, like you say the money could have been spent more wisely

spot on!
but some fans are fickle and disappear as soon as the silverware disappears.

with the new structure in place next season, with only the top 4 qualifying for the play offs i don't think teams can afford to take it easy next year, hopefully every team will give 100 % in every game unlike the last few years.

I love how ambitious you guys are!! At the next supporters meeting why don't you just pat each other on the back for our past achievements... Come on, it sounds like your happy being 4/5th best team in the comp because we used to be a lot worse. Being the best team in the comp and winning the grand isn't unrealistic if we move forward with 2 good signings and good management

it isn't unrealistic but it hasn't happened yet so no point acting like we are the top dogs till it does.

But that's it, overall I think we are moving forward with the resources available. I think a mass overhaul would be counterproductive. Yes this season was a step back, but in the scheme of things no disaster. I think Anderson and the players will have learnt plenty and can take that into next season.

I think the urgency of the new league format will suit us. Mentally from the start there was something not quite on with us; hangover from a table topping campaign where our spine hardly missed a game and then went straight into World Cup - cudjoe, grix, ferres, brough, wardle, Koppy off the top of my head. This was a major thing for us and we just never got into a groove. Still, finished 3rd, edged out by saints in cc, good points total, bringing on some cracking youth and brought in some useful looking signings so far.

I'm not saying that Anderson is beyond criticism or that everything is rosy in the garden, but overall I'll take where we are at, as I genuinely believe we are on the right track.

it's not unrealistic though is it?
we are now considered one of the top 4/5 teams in super league, we are considered, by some to be genuine trophy winning contenders.
in the super league are, there have only really been 4/5 teams that have realistically been considered so, bradford, wigan,leeds,saints and warrington...these clubs are far bigger clubs with far bigger supporter base than us, so to be up there now is a great achievement in my eyes, but it has taken us 15 years to get to where we are, we have built slowly, and right now we aren't far off, but for a couple of poor performances in the last week of the season we could be going to old trafford on saturday.

that says to me ,that we don't need to overhaul the team/coaching staff we just need to be smarter in games that really matter.
yes we are on the right track but having fans desert us because we didn't win anything is not going to help us continue to strive for success.