I think he'll bottle it if things don't go well in the pre season and pick an old experienced side.

Some of the posts I've read from Penrith fans about Manu are not very flattering. What's your opinion of him mate?

There's some players who can a very good job is its kept really basic, Manu and Adam Blair are two. Ask him to do anything "extra" and he can't deal with it.

I didn't say we would finish top 4, just our pack is top 4 potential, I think we will finish 6th, our backs are a bit unknown though.

Taylor will be better than Paea as he offers equal go forward, greater consistency, better defence and plays more minutes, which straight away address your concern, the fact we have Manu and Pritchard allows Ellis to play shorter spells at prop which will hopefully preserve him and him playing prop makes us stronger in the middle.

On last seasons form I would say Westerman was a bottom 4 player, so I'm sure it will be an improvement. Not worried about NRL form as s totally different league as we have seen with the likes of Mini and Kelly.

We'll see. Every year I read outlandish claims about our squad and every year they fail to live up to these unrealistic expectations.

Agree, but we have to and should improve from last year, I think Pearsons target on 3 more wins before the split is realistic.

I don't. The real weaknesses in our squad are hooker, halfs and outside backs, none of which are better than last season. Personally I don't think the forwards will improve enough to cover these deficiencies

I see your point, but we have only really lost Lineham from the backs and signed Fonua and Carlos T, who could be great or terrible.

I'm looking forward to the development of our young backs line Lancaster, Logan, Naughton and Abdul who will hopefully improve with more experience and a good off season in the gym.

we have a far better squad,and more to come ,defo finish higher than last year,usual doom merchants saying we will struggle blah blah blah, lets see

Usual idiots predicting a great season.

you are funny

We identified that our problem last year was poor execution in the oppositions 20. A lack of flair/skill/guile etc. We've not addressed that though with the players brought in and in fact have got rid of one player who knows where the try line is and another in Westerman who albeit not in great form last year is a ball player. Manu is not a creator and is similarly out of form anyway so who or what is it that will make the difference and turn all those positive territory , clean break and offload stats into tries and losses into wins? A proper hooker would help immensely. Really though we're hoping that Sneyd clicks , Pryce stays fit and Abdull kicks on , similar to last year then so fingers crossed again.....

Quote: Sheldon "There's some players who can a very good job is its kept really basic, Manu and Adam Blair are two. Ask him to do anything "extra" and he can't deal with it.'" Well our tactics and playbook aren't that sophisticated so may suit him Some pre season fluff: m.hulldailymail.co.uk/Sika-Manu- ... story.html

Quote: Sheldon "There's some players who can a very good job is its kept really basic, Manu and Adam Blair are two. Ask him to do anything "extra" and he can't deal with it.'" Well our tactics and playbook aren't that sophisticated so may suit him Some pre season fluff: m.hulldailymail.co.uk/Sika-Manu- ... story.html

My 17

Shaul
Michaels
Logan
Fonua
Talanoa
Pryce/Abdull
Sneyd
Watts
Houghton
Ellis
Pritchard
Minichiello
Manu

Washbrook
Taylor
Thompson
Feka

How come everyone is starting ellis at prop? I know he'll probably rotate and maybe spell a prop during game, but id of thought he'd be odds on for starting second row.
Think Radford will go

Taylor
Houghton
Watts
mini
ellis
Pritchard

bench

Manu
Abdul
Bowden
Thompson/Feka