Not many on here (me included) were thrilled with the Olpherts signing when he was announced, but for me I would have been happy to give him another year. Admittedly he has been up against Championship standard players this season and Superleague is obviously a significant step up but Russell is obviously coming as back-up to Tom and Lachy so maybe he will do something similar if the circumstances dictate it...I guess time will tell ??

I reckon I'll back Mills on this one.

To be honest, I don't get the problem. When I've seen him play I always liked what he did.

Well documented personal problems have blighted this young man’s playing career , but he looks to have sorted himself out and put those demons behind him . Very elusive player at his best , let’s hope he can capture some of that early form when given his chance , always liked his energy and commitment myself , welcome onboard .

I’m guessing it’s his carry and ability to win the floor and generate a quick play the ball so that we have a better chance of starting our sets off on the front foot.

So I guess Mills' super-dooper spreadsheet is just as likely to suggest scores of journeymen rather than specifically hidden gems?

It's funny that you think you know better but they don't sign people just based on the spreadsheet.

If they're looking for a certain type of player - in this case a winger who makes good metres, plays the ball quickly, and finishes fairly well - then why shouldn't they be a journeyman? Many players just don't settle or improve for all sorts of reasons, whether personal or professional. But some also grow up, drop the drink, start families, and start working hard for a coach they want to pay back.

I mentioned a while ago that one of Russell's former coaches described his footwork as 'scary' and would be amazed if he didn't play for England. Sure, that was 10 years ago, but he also arguably has one last shot to be the player he should have been (I'm not saying he'll play internationally!). And by the sounds of it he's well aware.

Interested to see people saying we've managed to keep a couple of signings under wraps. I doubt it but would love to be proved wrong. We have a 34-man squad, quota full, competition for every place, and most importantly - which half decent players are available?

Russell always seemed to me to be a dangerous returner of the ball, but often had loose carries. A good player to have in the squad as we look to transition from championship/bottom 4 SL to a team competing for the playoffs.

Is Liam Hood signed for next season yet?

Not yet, but he wasn't on the list of 9 being released

Spot on. We have players I have no doubts about in Super League (Jowitt, Pratt, Hall, Johnstone, Trueman, Uele, Atoni, Doyle, Rodwell, McMeeken, Vagana, Storton, Rourke), players I'm not sure about at top level (yet) but want to see kill it (Lino, Walmsley, O Russell, Smith, Niketemo, Bain, Booth) and solid players who are there to help us make that transition (Hood, Pitts, Kay, Croft, Cozza, Griffin). And I see Matty Russell as probably in the last group, but there's a possibility he could shock us, too.

A Hull KR fan keeps coming on the FC forum saying that Matty Ashurst and Iain Thornley are signing for Hull. Does anyone here have any insider knowledge that can hopefully disprove that?

Sounds like they've got you rattled! No insider knowledge as such but plenty of talk about them both going to Oldham.