I think we are probably reading into these a little too much. Players preference of squad number is another factor with players wanting a particular shirt number. Think this is the case with a couple of these choices.

I'll tell you what, that squad written down actually looks really good.

Our top metre maker of last year (and those are hard yards not kick return yards) only makes number 16.

Kyle Wood at 7 is alarming ? I have followed his career so far and he has failed at Donny, Batley, Sheffield, Cas, And has just been dumped by Hudds, Why did all these clubs get rid ??

yep I expect nothing else than all the trophies this year

Olly will know the significance of his number 8 and is just the ideal person

Why people putting so much deep thought into this? They are squad numbers not the weekly team sheet. Get a grip people, and we must have the only set of supporters who can take a squad list and turn it into an massive incident. Inprevious seasons players have had high squad numbers and featured week after week look at Richard Moore he played with 25 on his back. Ryan Atkins played with 21 on his shirt last season at Warrington. Mountain out of a mole hill springs to mind

It all depends how the coach plays it.

Some coaches and hence players will view it as quite differently.

If it means nothing, why give them numbers that pretty much match their position. So they do mean something, which is why some are surprising. Tim Smith surprises me most. As you say though, I suspect none of the players will care provided they play, and the fans won't care provided the right ones are being played.

Numbers are just that, maybe trying Kyle early door in friendlies at 7 saying right lad prov your self, the team will be changed and adjusted to who we play...

Or maybe Kyle Wood got the number 7 because he is on a longer contract than Smith and is seen as the long term incumbent of that jersey. I could be way of the mark as I said before they are squad numbers not the weekly team sheet. Look at wendyball some the squad numbers there and they don't mean anything. The perfect example is Michael Ballack most of his career both domestic and international he has worn number 13.