Good post Carl.

Which right acquistions would improve us?

They do give a certain amount of indication, they show you just how far down the line of reserves/signings you've gone to cobble your team together.

It's 9.

I don't mind doing it, last year I had a pass and so far this year I've been to the London and Wigan games.

i think Jake and Bet should become the new PR for Hull FC. It would be like listening to Leonard Cohen after a night on the vodka.

You will be alright after a good nights sleep.

I'd say we need a stand off, 2-3 props, 1 or 2 backrowers (depending on Tickle), a fullback, a winger, and arguably still a centre. I'd do without the fullback for next year if we can't get the right one.

The things is, in terms of ability in the first choice 17, I actually think that this year we were possibly only missing the stand-off, centre, winger and another good prop. I think the real problems lie in the gulf between our first choice and fringe players (which has been correctly identified as the neglect of our youth system, but will take time to fix), and the way we seem to just give things up as a bad job too easily and go through the motions. I think this latter is influenced by attitude, and over the past couple of months by some players possibly knowing their numbers are up.

It could make a massive difference next year just having a squad with more players who want to be here and who the coach wants to/can work with.

I think certain people take losing too seriously. I don't like to see my team lose, especially if they don't play well, but I'm certainly not going to react like Denbo or Lewis or JTP anymore. Life's too short. We have a new management, coaching set up who have actually improved the team in certain areas. Gentle know's what he wants for the future of the team, so I'm waiting on next season. If Gentle has the team he wants and the players have the attitude to playing and coaching that Gentle feels alot of this current side don't have I would expect a marked improvement.

Thoroughly agree.

Couldnt agree more!

Not posted for a while and wont be in the future (not missing owt granted) but I am sick and tired of the officilas deciding the outcome of Super League games nowadays. Not a knee jerk reaction but a build up of watching totally inadequate referees all year determine which side will win the game. Momentum changing calls and down right poor decisions really hold the game back.

Going back to the Saints first game at their new ground when Salford started the game the stronger, played Saints off the park only to be dragged down by the usual crappy refs calls of holding down, not standing square and having a clean pair of shorts! Saints get the roll on (thanks sir) and 3 tries later the game is gone.

I actually think Gentle is the man to take Hull forward and good times are ahead but I hate watching rugby and spending all my time shouting at the man in the middle.

The players should dictate the end result not the referee.

Agree.

hull were certainly shafted tonight. woeful ref.

Please elaborate with a few examples as I have not got a clue what you are talking about there.

I personally do not have expectations when you have been going as long as me you tend not to, in fact my pre-season predictions have been the same for the last 4/5 yrs top 4! more tongue in cheek than reality or more the fact I favour being optimistic rather than pessimistic.
Fans do have expectations and there is a link on this thread from only weeks ago claiming top 4, the fact that fans expectations of a decent finish or a decent run in are reflected in the gates and unless we make some very decent signings will be reflected next year also.
Personally I think AP is great for the club, however I hope he is getting the right advice re signings as so far barring G.Ellis they are very underwhelming and will not be a team who can compete for top 4 or a team who will bring back the fans, in fact I suspect it will lose some more imho.