In my opinion Long has done very little since he arrived, and he's certainly done almost nothing this season, he's still living in the Wigan/Saints area so isn't exactly comitted to the cause, he's a very expensive luxury that we simply do not need.

On the most part I agree, however I would not want rid of him at all. There is still a long way to go this season, all been well he can string some games together and his form can pick up. Yes, de ja vu, but now he has competition for his place for the first time he has been here.

What?!?

1. Our record with him in the team last year was far better than without him. Even if he contributed towards 2 more wins then it was important with regards to our final league position.
2. Half of the team don't live in the area, and it doesnt affect their commitment.
3. Name me one english player available who we cannot bring in because Long is restricting our salary cap?

easily pleased, as we already know


really, who else lives as far away as Wigan?



It isn't about that, it's about unnecessary expenditure.

Amazes me how you can't have a conversation without getting uppety towards people.

irony meter just exploded

rlBailey really is something specialrl

Looks like Saints have found the solution to the open wound they have in there squad. He has to go and at no cost to get the harmony back because if he stayed the season would have got worse and bitter for them.

Like here a section of the fans have now decided they have had enough rightly or wrongly they are not going to be quiet about it. He clearly has his mind and heart in another place and leaving would serve everyone now, clean breaks are always best.

Who goes there ?

It will not be Longy as our lot would require compo and Saints know he is now on the back side of the slope.

Dobbo ? as much as many on here would love it , its not going to happen this season at least.

From what I remember Turner shares a lift with Long. If your going to judge a players commitment by the distance away from Hull then I would say he was the most committed. Anyone who's had to travel past birstall M62 eastbound in the morning will understand.

As for the uppety comment. That's not my intention with my posts so apologies for that.

Fair enough, apology accepted.

Im not saying my opinion is right, just expressing it as a point of discussion, I just haven't seen much from Long that would make me upset if he did go back to Saints, you and tommy may well be right, the competition for places etc. may force an improvement in his performances, if that happens, I'll be as happy as the next man (unless of course the next man is that gary brindley bloke or sebasteeno, in which case, I'll look comparatively exstatic)

To be honest with you. I'm more worried about our lacking of an effective kicking game. I just hope with Long back we have other options in this department. At the moment we start having to defend a set on the opponents 30 which is just too much pressure for the full 80 minutes.

I don't know if you went/listened to the Wigan game but Phelps seemed to be doing some kicking, and if memory serves I think Houghton did on one occasion.

And on a different note, Briers has signed a 1 year extension, is that an indicator of what's available for next season, or just a good move by Wire?

(maybe this is the new "rumours"/ general SL thread)

I have had loads of those in the past few days and I suspect most of us have

Mind you I have not tagged them to here, Facebook or Twitter

He hasn't hit the heights of his earlier career for sure. In particular his kicking game hasn't helped us at all although it was never his strongest attribute. I think he improved us last year - certainly an improvement on recent scrum half options. Against Rovers he was pretty creative for three of the tries we scored and took it to their line well - not so against Leeds for half a game where that last kick was again poor.

Overall we need to keep attacking players like him in the team. The pack has improved since he last played and to have more attacking options must be beneficial, particularly as the shortage of attacking options has been so heavily criticised in the last couple or three years.

Yeh I was at Wigan and you're right; Phelps showed some good signs and Houghton started to kick better in the second half. There nice options to have but i'm more worried about our general end of set kicking game when it goes to Obst or Horne. We very rarely turn the fullback. I'd think improvements in this area will really make us a difficult team to beat this year.

bang on the money Staffs, anyone who goes to watch the team can see we are usually a better side with him in it !!