Trust me, I want success just as much as you.

I don't necessarily see our squad as weaker this season.
The players we have lost did not play many games anyway.
For me last season we had the best recruitment but massively under performed, a team of many good players but not a good team.
You could also argue that if Ellis and Jones had played would we have seen the development and emergence of Cator and Lane? I think not.
We saw an improvement in the team towards the end of last season, typified with the improved performances of Ma'u and Savellio.
I think in Reynolds we have an improvement over Kelly and in moving Connor to fb we have more than covered for Shaul's injury. Also with Connor now at fb we are no longer trying to shoehorn him into the team just for the sake of it.
We have lost the pace of Ratu but at least Swift will now have more of an opportunity to showcase his speed and talent.
I think we are light in the forwards still but that was the same last season.
It'll be interesting to see how BH goes but he appears to have the backing of all of the faithful.
A young hungry coach with a team eager to impress, improve and perform consistently is an exciting prospect.
Saints and Wigan will be streets ahead again.
We just need to ensure we're the best of the rest and there's no reason why we can't be.
Whilst not as pessimistic as some on here I still appreciate there is much work to be done on defence, attacking structure and to undo the muscle memory created by Radford is a must.

There's a bit in the HDM today about the opening results of Hull's recent coaches. Sharp won his first five. Wonder what might have been if we'd kept him.

Good man was Sharpy.
Was head of recruitment at Eels last I knew and think he's still there.
If not he'll be sat on his Manly Beach House patio.
Would be statement of intent if Brett could match his start
Think we'd all settle for him winning our first 5.

I can see your point in the fact we finished 5th which for my mind was more down to the same mistakes the coach was making and not resolving the basic errors. I’m not convinced the team where a united unit either. Then the issue of the coach departing then hitting a lockdown within days. Towards the end of the season despite everything the players under Last dug themselves out of a hole, which means there’s something to build on. In that time we hardly had Jones, Ellis, Kelly and latterly Shaul playing. As I said previously which is just an opinion is that I actually think we are stronger than before. Reynolds is an improvement on Kelly, Ellis for me his impact has been off field which now in a defined coaching role again only helps not weakens. Jones well quite honestly he was a waste and it’s clear he didn’t gel with the club or his team mates. Connor apart from lacking the pace of Shaul gave his much greater attacking options and showed the flaws in Shauls link play. The only one that is a miss is Ratu.

I’d wouldn’t say BH was lacking coaching experience as he’s coached for sometime now admittedly not as a head coach but neither had the likes of MacGuire, Holbrook, brown etc and they didn’t do too bad.

He seems to be quite a technical nerd when it comes to RL and the comments from people who have worked with him rate him.

We are lacking some speed on the edges and a back row or forward but I certainly don’t think we are weaker than last year.
I really think we are in a much better and stronger position than we have been for years. I think the impact of BH & JR will be significant and will only improve us.

Then add in whoever BH thinks is suitable as a winger, back row of forward again is more stength.

Let’s not forget we turned over a highly fancied Warrington with the players bar Ratu missing in the semi’s so I think top 4 is very much achievable with the current squad.

Agreed.



Why?
It's gonna be sunny and 24° there this afty?

Oh I agree there are grounds for hope and as fans we will anchor in the potential of Reynolds, more cohesion, better defence, fewer injuries and a miraculous first season as head coach. Why not? Just saying the reality is that some bookies have us 7th favourite for the LLS because it's unlikely all those things would come true at once and other teams already have better squads, established coaches etc. I like our spine, centres and back row a lot. We showed some character in the closing stages of 2020 and a new coach will bring a different energy. I just don't think we have the front row options to dominate teams nor the pace to beat them out wide. The squad is weaker than last year. Just look at the ins and outs and add Shaul to the outs for all intents and purposes Hopefully BH will bring the plan to leverage our strengths but he's only had 5 days with the squad. We'll need some patience.

Sneyd probably in line but he may play safe and not rock the boat and leave it with Houghton

I agree Mrs B we need another experienced front row but encouraged by Brett Hodgsons latest interview when asked if any player had impressed during pre season and he said Masi Motongo so possibly we will see his potential under this coach.
Would really liked to have seen the development of Bienek under this new coaching set up.

I’ll repeat my prediction from a few years ago, a cheeky top 3. I don’t see that we are weaker or thinner team wise. Ellis, Jones and Kelly didn’t play many games between them and Beinek only played 8 games in 3 years.
Hodgson’s new broom wielded by Reynolds, will sweep most before them. Mau, Sau and Satae, will tear trees up, as will the rest of the squad, especially the young guns, in response to the new regime.

I agree. We need to change things.

Radford said the same thing about Matongo last pre season or the season before but he never really delivered. He's got all the physical attributes to be a a regular starter but seems to lack confidence in himself. He had personal issues which have probably hindered his progression. As someone said on here before he lacks aggression and gets dominated in the tackle to often. Pivotal season for him.

I predict the season wont start in March but will be put back a month at the least