I think some have rose tinted spectacles about the state the Boulevard was in by the end. That Best stand would be a health and safety nightmare in the 2020s, fans pouring in down a narrow alley, up steep steps to sit on wooden benches. Capacity would have been massively cut and I'd guesstimate due to the size of the site be down to 7-8k capacity. Even the 'new Threepenny' would be 30 years old now and it wasn't exactly state of the art when built.

Also there was a noticeable increase in women and kids going when we moved to the MKM due to the better facilities. Hard to play 'what if' but I dont think we'd have 3 Challenge Cups (and City 3 Premier League spells) without the stadium.

Pearson said last night that they've got the last 3 or 4 recruitment cycles wrong and it'll take 2 or 3 to get back to where it needs to.

Myler openly stated why we've recruited who we have for next year and why. None of this is going to change overnight, as has been pointed out to you for many weeks before this announcement.

Unless we move players on there won't be much cap available next year and definitely not enough for significant signings mid season

There'll be a few coming to the end of their contracts who need to seriously up their games or they'll be gone possibly early, Lane and Fash are two that spring to mind. There'll be movement, club has show it can be ruthless now

I hate sounding up myself in such situations but I was there so I guess I can say it!!

Fash needs a big season and it's his testimonial year too. Be interesting to see how he goes especially as he'll be playing catch up with missing a big chunk of pre season.

And won't be a shoe in for the first time in about 3 seasons

Fash and Lane won’t be FC players next season

I still have recurring nightmares about Lane

Fash is contracted for 2026 …

Obviously we’ll have to see how Fash starts the season, however I’d doubt he’ll make the first 17 and will be on the fringe.

Unless there’s a marked improvement in performance and his discipline I can see him being one of the next players moved on. I can’t imagine our new owners/DoR/Coach are going to sit on their hands and put up with any non performing players next season.

He’ll probably get plenty of games still, Ashworth struggled with injuries and Sao will no doubt have disciplinary issues. Also Asiata, who knows how he’ll fair games/minutes wise.

That’s why it’s important to get another forward in, so the likes of Fash aren’t playing out of necessity most weeks.

I thought Myler was quite good.

I’m expecting our discipline to be much improved next season. No excuses. Ligi and Fash were woeful in that aspect last season and it can no longer be tolerated. I doubt many teams win a game when have a player sin binned or sent off, especially in the first 60 mins.

I trust a fitter squad will also reduce some of the injuries. Although some will always occur in a full on contact sport.

Agree on cartwright, seems like the exact guy we need right now. Also agree on Last, think he is a really smart addistion.

Can see your point on recruitment and as it stands we will only have one quota spot for 2026 (Sao's), so I'm guessing we will be going all out for a couple of domestic forwards and use the quota spot on a centre.

It also depends on how some of the young lads go, I think the club fully expect the likes of Moy, Dawson, Westerman, Charles, Wainhouse and Staveley to be ready for 2026, playing week out, it wont be all of them, but if we can have half of those ready to be good SL players (which i think is realistic, then it makes our recruitment a lot easier). For the last 3 years or so, we have had a top 4 academy and reserve team, like Wigan and saints, we need to start turning these in good SL players.

I think if we can add 3 more very good players (centre and two forwards) and if some of these players are ready, then I think we could challenge for the top 6 in 2026. Then the year after bring in 4 or so overseas players that push us a step further.

I think a 3 year plan of

2025 8th/9th
2026 6th
2027 top 4

is possible.

Is a bit of a worry that next year we’ll only have one quota spot, it’ll be interesting to see who’s available come December 1st.

Interestingly, in 2027, Cust will be 28 and non quota. I’ve always thought he has bags of talent but hasn’t been on the pitch yet on show it and build momentum. Hopefully with us he can do it.