That's why this season has been such a big disappointment.

With Smith in charge I was expecting to challenge for the play-offs no more no less.

but what could have been a game changing season if that big daft idiot who is now at Wakefield hadnt let us down again

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ts-8783934 I think reading this, our target for 2024 needs to be that we're not top of the league for missed tackles and errors, as good of a coach as Smith has been, those statistics are unacceptable,. particularly when you consider Wakefield only won 4 games this season and still made less mistakes and missed less tackles than us

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ts-8783934 I think reading this, our target for 2024 needs to be that we're not top of the league for missed tackles and errors, as good of a coach as Smith has been, those statistics are unacceptable,. particularly when you consider Wakefield only won 4 games this season and still made less mistakes and missed less tackles than us

Missed tackles at the start of this season, I can kind of forgive. New systems etc. and we saw in the middle of the year, our defence improved. Back end of the year, well, that is down to fitness, desire and commitment and with half the team leaving, the last 2 facets we definitely were not getting.

For me, there needs to be a massive improvement in discipline. The 6 agains we give away absolutely kill us. We have a small pack, but we invite teams on to us with essentially 12 tackle sets time and time again. I would much rather defend a quick play the ball from the oppositon, than defend another full set

Is this another of Smith's failings though? We had two pre season games, one v Sheffield where we played the youth and one v Wakefield, if there's new systems to integrate, then we should have been having more friendlies with first teamers to get us used to the new systems so we start the system strong, he even admitted we went in to the season undercooked, would saints, Wigan etc tolerate so many missed tackles?

Has the number of errors and missed tackles increased greatly the last half a dozen games or so?

Wouldn’t surprise me if they have and as alluded to above they are mostly down to lack of desire and commitment.

Last year we had a very careful and light pre-season which was probably down to Tony's concerns with the amount of injuries we had suffered the previous season. The downside to this is that we looked well off the pace up until around April/May. I think there is no excuses this time round for it to be more intense.

I am not aware of many players that require surgery this close season, so we could be fresh to go in early November

I listened to Adam Pearsons interview on BBC iplayer, he came across very bullish about next season, bigger stronger faster pack, younger spine, he reckons your nailed on for a really good season, could all just be more jam tomorrow though who knows.

Mixture of both in my view, we know what AP can be like when Pass Renewals are on the horizon. However I think there is no doubt our pack will be better next year, but its not as if the marker was set high this season. The two signings which remain unknown will define our expectations in terms of the table, for me at least. A good 7 and SR and (on paper at least) we will look good.

As it stands we are better at fullback, hooker and miles better at prop, should we sign a halfback, similar to Cliifird, we are stronger there.

Wing, we are going to be weaker for the starter wingers, but maybe more depth.

Second row which was our weakest area last season, unbelievably looks weaker.

Two main things for me need to change, attitude and making sure the likes of Lane, Fash amd Cator aren't guaranteed starters.

6 agains have to be sorted, its no coincidence its the smaller forwards Fash, Lane and Cator who give most of these away.

A bigger pack will help us win the wrestle/ruck more, but for me we have to upgrade/replace Lane asap in a poor team one of the poorest players for me, misses tackles for fun.

On the back of that season , id say we need big improvements from Lane, Fash, Sao, Carlos and Mcintosh and should already be looking at replacements for the season after........with possibly the exception of Sao , pointless mentioning those who have departed who all played a big part in a poor season.

No predicitons here, still awaiting to see who our 7 will be which is huge, and who the Lane replacement will be which again is huge. As is Houghtons successor.

Part of me hopes Mcmeeken.

We need all the new signings to really produce, or itl be abit more of the same, hoping Jebson and Martin and possibly Stavley can come in and shine and cement spots, but they need help from the seniors.

Pretty much the whole squad are on holiday together, not an issue as such but id love to know what week of the season that was booked...

Did it last year. All sat in changing rooms after defeat planning a jolly...........

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