I wouldn't disagree as such but I certainly wouldn't want to lose Dowes as he is non-quota and can do the steady job that Cusack does, whilst probably on less money and not taking up a quota spot, and he also has a very good injury record. If Radford is kept next season its madness to have Dowes, Cusack and Radford in the same squad IMO.

If Agar's "vision" for 2010 includes Cusack, Dowes and Radford all playing in the same pack, next season will be a write-off as quickly as this one has been.

We currently have one of the weakest packs in SL and Agar's answer to that is to get them all signed up for the 2010 campaign. If we go ahead and just make a couple more signings to add to the $hite that already fills our squad, then release a couple of fringe players/young kids, I for one will not only be disappointed, but totally baffled and disgusted !!

Whilst the playing ability is the most critical aspect of signing players do you not think that there is a bigger picture when signing players.

What kind of personality they bring to the club I think are very important as well. With the likes of Maloney, Burnett, Hodgson and to a smaller extent Houghton developing into super league players I know who I would rather have around them in a mentor role.

Maybe next years squad will be the year that the younger players step up under the leadership of Cusack and Fitzgibbon?

Or perhaps we'll see another season of dull, miserable, bottom-half-of-the-table $hite ????

You putting our style of play at the feet of Cusack?!?!?

I am replying to the Cusack signing not the inadequate coaching and deadwood players....

That's what I'm expecting, I have seen nothing so far to suggest anything else.

No I'm not putting it at his feet. We are already stuck with Radford, King, Dowes etc. for 2010 and we have a desperate need of quality in our pack so why on earth are we adding Cusack to that already $hite group of forwards while also taking up another valuble quota spot ??

FWIW I think Cusack is probably a better all-round forward than those above but some idiot has already given those players contracts !!

Spot on. Cusack will be our best prop next year as he has been this year and was last year. The fact that we dont have a 7 or a gameplan and Agar looks tactically inept shouldnt tarnish our more capable players reputations.

If all those 'contracted' forwards you mention stay then I agree with you.

We have certainly cemented ourselves as the official winners of the least go-forward in SL trophy over the last two seasons and we must now be nailed on for the treble next season.

Does Agar actually think that we can win games without our pack consistently going forward ???

WTF is Sean Long going to think when he gets here ??? He is used to Cunningham, Cayliss, Graham, Fasa'valau, Puletua etc. smashing up the middle of the pitch and he is turning his back on that so that he can play behind a beaten pack every week !!!

Christ knows what Agar has told him but he is in for a real shock !!

We'd be better to pay all 3 off but i doubt we will even pay 1 of them off. Come on Agar, put your money where your mouth is!!

Happy with Cusack signing if Dowes goes...

... but we all know that wont happen. Apart from the obvious scrum half 'issues' which have been sorted (and well I might add) for next year, our pack HAS to be sorted too. Cusack, Dowes and bloody Radford isnt good enough.

See I dont really understand that comment. Cusack has got a 1 year contract extension so will need replacing in a year. If we got rid of Dowes now it just means we will have to go looking for something that we already have now. I'd much rather we got rid of Radford than Dowes.

Cant believe we've signed Cusack up for another year (well actually I can) he is just an australian Ewan Dowes. Yeah he may be 'solid' and a 'workhorse' but like I've said before, these arent the type of qualities that make a good prop. I don't care if a prop plays 30 minutes in the whole game as long as he busts tackles, offloads and offers some impact, but I'm afraid Cusack is the total opposite. He is a prime example of the term 'deadwood' - he is 32/33, very average player, starting to have injury problems etc. Not to mention the fact that he takes up a quota spot, I'm sure we could have used that luxury to a much greater effect. It was pretty obvious as soon as we signed Fitzgibbon (his best mate in oz) that Cusack would be getting a new deal, but it's choices like this that make us an average team instead of being the dominant force we all know we could potentially be - poor decision Hull.FC, AGAIN.

If rumours are right and it's a big IF but lets say Kite and Atkins signed. Would you be happy with this side for next season:-

Tansey
Raynor
Yeaman
Atkins
Calderwood/Briscoe
Horne
Long
Dowes
Berrigan
Kite
Fitzgibbon
Tickle
Washbrook

Cusack
Luauki
Manu
Houghton