I believe this is the best squad with the most depth we've had for 20 years or more - add to that that Radford has another year's experience behind him and I think we'll do well. This pack is arguably the best in the league and Shaul may well to prove to be a big try scorer following Pritchard and Manu around. Houghton's workload may well be reduced (tackling particularly) with our stronger pack and I think Pryce will be ably backed up by Abdul who looked very comfortable in that position and has shown himself to have the guile and strength to play several back to back games in the Super League. And let's not forget that Washbrook has played 6 when pushed as well as Tuimivave who is a 6 too. To say our back-line lacks depth is a little off I reckon with Fonua, Tuimavave, Logan, Talanoa, Michaels, Naughton, Yeaman (if needed), Lancaster. Ultimately, until top quality youth has come through the ranks over several seasons it's a bit hard to fill every position with stars without breaking the cap. Anyway, just so long as our injuries are short term and less than 10 at a time I'm confident of top 4.

Never in a million years is this squad better than the one we had between around 2003 to 2007. The back row is excellent, hooker only average with no back up. Only 2 top class props although I'm sure ellis will do a job when fit. Halfs could go OK but could be a major weakness, kicking game isn't great and other than fonua, our 3/4's are either average at best or inexperienced.

I think you may be in for a disappointment if you seriously think we'll finish top 4.

How many of our options from 1 to 7 would get into any of the starting 17's of last season's top 4?

I disagree slightly. I understand what your saying in terms of quality now, but I think over the last 10 years the standard of players playing today has dropped significantly. How many of the players from the likes of cunningham, Sculthorpe, long, peacock, feilden, deacon, senior, jamie lyon, Richie Barnett,Richard swain would walk into any side even now. What we have to do is look at our recruitment and realise it's the best we have had for 10 yrs and look at our oppositions recruitment. And many teams have Bearley improved or not at all. Wigan have only sam Tompkins as an improvement but on a whole we should have closed the gap. Leeds have lost massive leadership accross multiple positions so in theory we should of closed the gap. So taking into perspective whole recruitment of today's game on paper we should be ok and three more wins should see us compete for top four. But as we all know it has to be transferred onto the pitch. So il stay optimistic for now and hope we can achieve top 6 and being two points of 4th when playoffs start. Then who knows.

I think Wigan & saints will finish top, after that I'm not sure which teams will make the other four spots but it's fairly obvious who will be in the mix

Leeds, cats, hudds, wire are going to be an unknown quantity, as are we. But I think 5th or even 4th is not unrealistic. Whatever your thoughts are, we deserve to be optimistic

The point I was countering was that this was our best squad for 20 years which it clearly isn't. I agree that our recruitment has, on the whole, been better than most but we have mainly strengthened what was probably our best aspect last season, whilst not addressing the major weaknesses (lack of quality out wide, average kicking game, no decent hooking options). We've lost a 20+ tries per season winger from a side that struggled to get over the line so there are plenty of ways of looking at recruitment and retention.

I just don't see that we've addressed the problems that were the difference between us and the top sides last year

Radford been the main one. But wont get in to that, hes got my full support for the start of the 2016 season, hes a good squad, no excuses, just have to see how we go

Hooker is that average that the best team in the league were desperate to sign him.

Listen to what Westerman has to say about him also in the recent fans forum.

Although I reckon most fans know more than the best coach in the league and an England international.

Anyone who thinks Houghton is average is retarded. Would easily be in the England setup if at a top club or playing in the NRL

One of the best in super league

Houghton is better than average but in the England squad ahead of Roby, Clark or even Hodgson, i think not and that has nothing to do with bigger club or Nrl.
I do think with most squads being equal and perhaps us having possibly the best recruitment so far it more then ever comes down to coaching and motivation. Fingers crossed Radford has developed and improved and experienced enough now to coach the big time game players we have signed.
We have all the makings there this coming season and a top 4 finish is not beyond us and for that I'll remain optimistic.
Consistency is key this year but for me 6th or 7th placed.

This season is tough to predict. If the team comes together and plays well, if Sneyd finds his form, if the kids step up, if we support the ball carrier and get the ball wide faster ... top 4 easily.

If we play like we did last spring, if we lose a couple of key players, if Abdul and the other young players get Second Seasonitis or Crooks Syndrome ... then 10th and financial ruin.

Can't wait.

Id only put Roby in front of him, but with him getting at least once bad injury a season, wouldn't swap him for Houghton.

Jake, sorry bud but this squad is a fantastic mix of youth, experience and some blockbusting talent, it's easily on a par with the squads of the era you mentioned, certainly it's the best we've had since 2006 but it does have the potential to go all the way, it just needs some enlightened coaching, a bit of luck, players that don't give up and beleive that playing expansive thoughtful rugby is the way to win games not some of the drivel we've had that doesn't.

Apology accepted but I don;t agree

houghton's defence is outstanding but his attacking play is average. His poor distribution from dummy half is one of the reasons our attack is poor. If I were westerman I'd agree as I'd probably have to do a chunk of those 50+ tackles a game houghton does.

I certainly think there is a place in the squad for houghton but we would be so much better with a more attack minded hooker to interchange him with