There are three scenarios to bear in mind here:

1) We're hardly awash with cash and Powell is the cheap option

2) Hughes has appointed Powell on the basis of his prior association with the club, his rapport with senior players and his belief, like McDermott before him, in "The London Project"

3) No-one else of any reasonable pedigree wanted the job (even though various media reported Jon Sharp interested, a vastly more experienced coach than Powell)

If we want to focus on the positives, we can dwell on number 2. Powell has already begun the pre-season with the squad. But one cannot help but overlook his lack of experience, which I'd argue with such a young team is exactly what would be needed.

I really hope he does the business but I can't help feel it's a question of how long before he is sacked or a director of rugby is employed. At least he understands the London systems and the London scene and can sell the London vision to potential players, but I am not sure this will be enough.

That can't be the attitude that Hughes takes and knowing his recent track record I would have thought it isn't. If we're going to go down this route, Powell deserves the same time McDermott was afforded in order to give the job a fair crack. IMO, that's at least a season and possibly two.

I will take that bet now. Cas, Wakey and Crusaders all look shaky and if we get a good start I think we will be OK. We need a couple more quality players but if we avoid injury to the key players we should be do OK. We have no cash so we can't really expect much better.

Oh well have to be honest and it wouldnt have been my first choice as head coach,just like a few others on here. thats only down to his age and lack of experience.

But now he is i wish him the best of luck. At least he has the backing of the senior players in the squad so that has to be a start. I'm sure DH wouldnt have gone down this road (even if are cash stapped) if he didnt think the players would be happy with RP at the helm he wouldnt have given him the job and looked else where.

So now its over with, lets move on and hope we get to hear of at least a couple more signing very soon, either loaners or perm signings. Like been said a few times we have amix of youth and experience,so some more players with experience would be a good thing and im sure help RP in a lot of ways

funny now things went quiet on Anthony Cherrington from the Roosters. and the Wigan loaners (did hear we could take Josh Charnley).Stil perfer us to made a bid on Monaghan.

On the business of 'No cash' didn't some posters indicate that there were investors out there but they wouldn't come forward as long as Lenaghan was the major shareholder. Well, now that he has handed over his shares, where are these people?

That's the problem with imaginary investors - they can prove quite elusive

So we know who it is now. The conjecture is over. Now is the time to get behind him and the team. This is a young BRITISH coach and we need to support him. I wish him the best of luck.

Enough of the platitudes and `good luck` messages, this is a truly woeful appointment.

Let`s not lose sight of the fact that he was BM`s ASSISTANT over a pretty lack lustre period for the club..........Are we to believe that he has been some remarkable talent in waiting but was held back by BM?...........No, despite the positive spin the club have tried to put on the announcement he is a very young coach, still learning his trade and without a distinguished track record.

At a time in the club`s development when we really needed a high profile, experienced coach to improve our performance both on and off the field, we come up with the easy/cheap option......or as some might say we are of so little worth that nobody of note was interested.

So much for DH`s `onward and upwards` speech, this appointment shows what little ambition the club has and the fact that top flight RL in London is well and truly on its backside!!!

No doubt today`s announcement will be followed shortly by equally underwhelming announcements concerning new players........or more likely the promotion of a few U20/U18`s to the first team squad as that is a nice cheap option.

Expectations for next season are now well and truly deflated, god knows what the impact will be on ticket/season ticket sales.

Agree with all of that except the emphasis on the BRITISH - I'm not convinced that's a positive.

From where I sit he wouldn't have been first choice but "He who pays the piper ...", so I see no point in arguing with the chairman's decision, though I can't enthuse over it.

From the piece on the club sitethroughout this period we have also been able to monitor Rob's performance in the role which has been excellent. He has the full backing of the players and has been integral in the re-signing and recruitment of the 2011 squad, which will be completed shortly.'"

As he's not online atm I'll briefly say this sums up Lister's sentiments as well (thought you'd all like to know )

Lets be positive....last season we were shocking and that was with the man now in charge of Leeds. We need to give Rob Powell a chance to do things....on last years showing the only way is up, so there isn't too much pressure in that respect on him. The only way he'll gain experience is by being given the Head Coach role...he's been assistant for 4 years, now he has the chance to step up and prove himself.

Lets just wait till the end of next year to see where we stand.

Also, David Hughes in his comments mentions that the full squad will be completed shortly.....does this mean the 2 Aussies joining the squad shortly or that more numbers will be added shortly?? I'm hoping its the latter....as we'll struggle to field a team at present when we're hit with a few injuries!

Two year deal, is that a good thing in saying he is more than the temporary interim acting head coach, or is there the feeling that the man truly deserves the opportunity. Not knowing the guy I cannot say whether he was a McDermott acolyte. I honestly don't know whether I feel good or bad over the length of the deal, on the one hand it does give the stability, but it seems to be stability that seems to say we are happy with gates of 3500 and are on target for our five year financial meltdown. I would have been happier for a one year deal and the chairman to come out and say earn the chance to renew your deal from 2012, and look to see if there is someone who can take us forwards if we have another disappointing season. Regardless of the length of contract he could be moved back to an assistant coach role if he fails completely as stated by other posters, he does appear to be the cheap option.

He says to add to Chris Bailey and Nick Kouparitsas, two Australians who have already been recruited for 2011."

Oh dear, I hope that's not the end of our recruitment.