Santa's poking radders? Does he know?

The way I see it, this next season coming has loads of question marks and could potentially go either way.
If someone asked me to stake everything I own on where we will finish, I would have to say I would err on the side of a poor season. I will be supporting all players 100% as I am sure Jake will (I don't know him).

Whilst overt negativity isn't helpful, blind optimism in my mind is annoying. In recent seasons we must have signed the 20 best players on the planet according to some. I suggest a healthy balance with a serious dollop of realism is the correct way forward. IMO of course.

fair point smallears, at least you see both points to how we might do, not just slag the team, coach, fans, ground , father xmas off,

I am actually quite looking forward to the season because of the unknowns. Would love to see Miller kick on this season, and talanoa / feka to be a surprise signing.

No denying though that we are largely living in hope rather than fact!

Doesnt every team?

Getting to Wembley last year was a shock, for me, after our dire performances in the league. I hope to be shocked again in 2014.

Really looking forward to Feka and Paea powering up the field and Tom Biggs.

Interesting times ahead.

Well said. I've had years of the blind sheep claiming we're signing great quality players and how this will be "our season" when anyone with an ounce of knowledge of the game can see we're miles off.

What the mouth frothing, pitch fork wielding mob fail to do is actually ready my posts. yes, some may be perceived as negative but it's based on facts and knowledge, not blind optimism. I also post plenty of positive and neutral stuff but most are too set in their own beliefs to even see it.

Fact is, as you say, this season's squad is a big gamble with plenty that could backfire on the club

Or go around pretending everything is wonderful when it's clearly not........

Your posts aren't facts, it's your opinion, like me you have no idea how the likes of feka, talanoa, miller, Tuson and rankin are going to go.

Plenty of players in the past have been classed as poor signings and have gone very well, while sometimes top players come and do the oppisite.

He has just said on twitter that he is on his way now to sign a contract!! Could that contract be with us I wonder?!

Exactly what I was going to say.

Those old enough might remember when we signed Scot Gale, Dave Brooks and Terry Regan. The first 2 were top players at Balmain whilst Regan was pretty unknown. Regan arguably proved the best signing and never let anyone down.

This is just an example but until these players have appeared in BnW we don't know how things are going to turn out.

No one is saying we are going to win this and that but I am looking forward to seeing these players.

Facts and knowledge? Jesus. you failed on both counts. You don't bother with facts, you never do.

Wheres your FACTS that Rankin, Talanoa, Paea, Tuson, Biggs and Feka will be terrible for us? I'll wait.

As for knowledge, don't make me laugh. I've got 40 years under the belt, playing and spectating. You're a Johnny-come-lately.

Terry Regan is one of my all time favourite overseas signings, absolute quality.

The that the players are high risk signings as they haven't shown any form for years or are kids who have talent but haven't proved themselves at first team level. Too many of them in the squad IMO for us to have any confidence that we will have a good season

I wish as a johnny come lately but, alas, I am almost as old as you, but seemingly have had less bangs on the head in my years.

Other than paea and maybe tuson, we're pinning 2014 on players who have not shown any form for years, never played RL in their lives or have very little first team experience. If you believe that's a recipe for success then you could be around for another 40 years and still know less about the game than my 10 year old

I see what you are saying, but it depends on what you define as a good season, I been Ok with another 6th place finish, but we us playing a better style of rugby and being more consistent, anything above that would be a bonus and anything much worst a disappointment.