Sao and Fash were both poor last season but start with a clean slate for me. Clearly they both need to up their game and improve their discipline. Abdull was a risky signing that didn't pay off. Calling it a disaster is pure hyperbole. At least we have cut out losses rather than pay him for being sat in the stands.

[quote="Dave K.":aa8tgagn]Yes, if those rules come into play, not a fan of this rule, but others will exploit it, so we may have too. Depends on the season he has, needs a big one.[/quote:aa8tgagn] Not a fan either as there's less incentive to produce home grown talent but as you say others will take advantage of it. I'd guess they'll be number of other players who'll qualify as well.

[quote="ComeOnYouUll":3ans7mwm]Sao and Fash were both poor last season but start with a clean slate for me. Clearly they both need to up their game and improve their discipline. Abdull was a risky signing that didn't pay off. Calling it a disaster is pure hyperbole. At least we have cut out losses rather than pay him for being sat in the stands.[/quote:3ans7mwm] I agree. Very disappointed with both player’s discipline last year and both need to cut it out. I’m hoping Ligi’s was down to frustration, with the team/club. On his day he is a good player and if he has a good season, will be decent value to us in 2026 once he is off quota. As for Fash, he really needs a big year and when all are fit, he’ll need to break in to the first 17. He’s got to stop all the nonsense of picking fights, especially the Derby. He just needs to concentrate on being a good Prop. To me he is a Prop. I have never understood the thought of playing him at 13, he has no link play or key handling skills to put him in that role. We need to play players in their true positions. Hopefully Carty will demand a new level of discipline. I felt in recent seasons the Club Hull concept had led to a few of the local lads being complacent about being in the squad (not the 2024 break through youngsters). I want all players to be in merit and if they don’t deliver or become a discipline liability then they can live on for me. Teams rarely win when they have to play part of the game with 12 men and that was a contributing factor to our performances last season.

[quote="Chris71":cs4ig4r0]Don't agree at all. Sneyd had an offer from Salford for a 3 year deal and a chance to return home, as a club at the time weren't in a position to match that offer or come close so it was mutually agreed he'd leave with 1 year left on his contract. Connor was ousted by Smith, if what I was told has some truth to it because he questioned Smith and Gene on their methods. Whether that's 100% I can't say but looking at the way Ellis left and subsequently returned on Smiths own departure I'd say theres a good chance what I was told has merit. My understanding on Gale was he didn't meet the clause in his contract to trigger the 2nd year. Evans was in his last year and was released early due to injuries and compassionate reasons. Reynolds was just a total crock, poor expensive signing, a very poor influence and only had a few month left on his deal which wasn't going to be renewed at the end of the season. So for me the ones mentioned are in no way similar in any aspect.[/quote:cs4ig4r0] It’s kind of nice that we can look at the same set of facts and draw completely opposite conclusions from them! In these times of division and discord, seeing it writ small and inconsequential makes a change at least. [quote="BP1":cs4ig4r0]Maybe, possibly, although I don't think too many were sorry to see Gale or Evans depart. It just feels a touch different today with some of these decisions being made around players who very quickly (for differing reasons) have been deemed not to be up to scratch and have been summarily released. As I pointed out last night, it is the clubs that make the correct retention/recruitment decisions (most of the time) that ultimately become the successful sides (backed up with a healthy youth policy), specifically Wigan, Saints and, in the past, Leeds. Of course, this could merely be the likes of myself looking for shafts of sunlight through the darkened storm clouds, but the noises coming out of the club since the end of last season would seem to indicate, on the surface at least, that a new professional broom has swept through our club and it does feel different to quite a few of the faithful on here. Ultimately, of course, the proof is in the pudding (which means results on the field) but right now there is an air of renewed optimism around the place, a feeling of sleeves being rolled up and applying to the task in hand. I think that is essentially what the likes of Chris and others are positing with Abdull/Staveley releases being a part of the new attitude. As the next few months unfold we will find out whether we are making the right decisions or not, watch this space as they say!!![/quote:cs4ig4r0] Aye, you just don’t know until it happens. Outside of the couple of clubs that always win, there are no guarantees. The experienced coach with a proven track was a change from his immediate predecessors, but it didn’t work out. Myler saying Hull will look ahead when considering signings, so as not to block pathways reminds me of the rationale behind the now much-maligned recruitment round for 2019. That’s not to say it is certain to go badly this time. My point isn’t really about right or wrong. New and familiar approaches can both go either way. This just doesn’t feel like one of the new ones to me - there are certainly other things that I do think Hull are doing differently for 2025.

[quote="Rugby Raider":33uku84y] Teams rarely win when they have to play part of the game with 12 men and that was a contributing factor to our performances last season.[/quote:33uku84y] I believe we only had ten out of twenty-eight games last year when we had thirteen players on the pitch for the full eighty minutes.

[quote="ComeOnYouUll":1nqegqp2]I believe we only had ten out of twenty-eight games last year when we had thirteen players on the pitch for the full eighty minutes.[/quote:1nqegqp2] thats some stat, knew we were playing shorthanded a bit with the raft of cards we were getting but when put like that its shocking

[quote="Hullrealist":3diybtfa]Are you actually an FC fan, swear I’ve never once seen you post anything positive? Holmes has a niggle so you’re suggesting he’ll get paid off. He was signed for experience and to bring young players on. Hes not a bad back up. Chamberlain was hardly ever injured at Leigh and then has had 2 back to back injuries at Hull. The ankle might not even be too bad for all we know. Not a first choice SL player but can cover a lot of positions as a back up. Also managed to start at centre in a CC winning side. Abdull was a risk that went wrong but Myler managed to have clauses which mitigated the costs of paying him off. Add that we see the club doing more community work and seems a lot more in tune to the fans. Some positives there. I don’t think we can comment whether he’s doing good job or not for another 12-18 months[/quote:3diybtfa] Holmes dosent have a niggle,its the same knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for most of last season at Leigh. He wasnt signed as a back up he was signed as a starting second row Myler had clauses in Abdulls contract to mitigate the costs of paying him off? really On that basis Abdull may as well have sat out his last season on contract at KR if that was true,He cant be that daft As for Chamberlain he is just Championship quality even if you use the term utility

[quote="bonaire":3i79bzzs]Holmes dosent have a niggle,its the same knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for most of last season at Leigh. He wasnt signed as a back up he was signed as a starting second row Myler had clauses in Abdulls contract to mitigate the costs of paying him off? really On that basis Abdull may as well have sat out his last season on contract at KR if that was true,He cant be that daft As for Chamberlain he is just Championship quality even if you use the term utility[/quote:3i79bzzs] Cheers doc

[quote="bonaire":1s35yt50]Holmes dosent have a niggle,its the same knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for most of last season at Leigh. He wasnt signed as a back up he was signed as a starting second row Myler had clauses in Abdulls contract to mitigate the costs of paying him off? really On that basis Abdull may as well have sat out his last season on contract at KR if that was true,He cant be that daft As for Chamberlain he is just Championship quality even if you use the term utility[/quote:1s35yt50] Holmes signed as a starting second row but given the 15 number?!

To be fair to Bonaire he's right with regards to Holmes injury. He's been nursed through the pre season and in the first game he's played it's aggrevated it again. It is a concern especially with Chamberlain picking up an injury (despite him being championship quality). We're straight down to Jebson or Kirby already, or shoehorning someone else in. However... We finished joint bottom of super league and aren't the most attractive club to sign for. We (allegedly) were in for Whitehead so I think everyone at the club understands it's an area we're weak (left centre also identified too, Bonaire). I don't understand the constant club bashing from him (unless he is a Rovers troll) but it may just be a coping mechanism from him after many years of false promises and underachievement. There's a balance to be found though. I think deep down all Hull FC fans will be anxious as we approach the new season, but hopefully we'll all start to see some of the shoots we have seen take root and start to build towards getting us back to competing again.

Most teams are carrying injuries into the new season not just us......But again some highlight it as it's just us who it happens to

[quote="hull2524":38x68yxk]Most teams are carrying injuries into the new season not just us......But again some highlight it as it's just us who it happens to[/quote:38x68yxk] I mean we got into squad numbers in their 50s last year so it’s a fair point

That was last season

[quote="Blackandwhitebigdog":1hj8c1m3]Holmes signed as a starting second row but given the 15 number?![/quote:1hj8c1m3] Ashworth signed as a starting front row and has the number 17 Cust signed as a starting 6/9 has the number 14 Martin currently our best wing has the number 22 on the other hand we have Briscoe with the number 2 and Chamberlain number 4 and both shouldnt be starting first team players so trying to make out that Holmes was not signed as a starting second row because he has the number 15 is nonsense.

Signing players over 30 comes with Significant upside risk !!!! We will see injuries and soon Likely 6 and 7 of Kemp and Lane by Easter

[quote="Tarquin Fuego":25gy5pcx]Signing players over 30 comes with Significant upside risk !!!! We will see injuries and soon Likely 6 and 7 of Kemp and Lane by Easter[/quote:25gy5pcx] So what experienced, quality 24-27 year old half backs should we have signed that were willing to come?

Is our squad and team better than last season, I'd say definitely and we still have the scope to bring in 2/3 more players. Last year we had one player who was a top 6 player, now we have a few. Ad mentioned before we tired to sign Lam and Whitehead had those two, it would have made a massive difference and given us another quota spot. Myler is trying and getting us moving in the right direction, think every fan (except one) can see that. It's not a quick fix and not as easy as some fans think, no clubs need to sell, so having money for fees isn't really a benefit right now, so we bring young players through and supplement them with top (SL standard) overseas players.

[quote="ComeOnYouUll":3gdv09cw]So what experienced, quality 24-27 year old half backs should we have signed that were willing to come?[/quote:3gdv09cw] Oli Leyland?

[quote="Steve0":36gpq8gc]Oli Leyland?[/quote:36gpq8gc] Hull or Warrington though? Think we all no the answer to that sadly.

Just checked my bank account the Abdull pay off has not come out yet. Anyone else had money taken out there accounts to help pay Abdull off seen as how it affects us all?

[quote="Dave K.":3r5q1cik]Hull or Warrington though? Think we all no the answer to that sadly.[/quote:3r5q1cik] Depends, he won't get in at Warrington ahead of Dufty, Hayes and Williams, we could've given him the 6 shirt rather than signing Abdul, his brother signed for rovers too so could've helped tempt him.

[quote="Steve0":12ulkoxc]Oli Leyland?[/quote:12ulkoxc] Leyland and Russell were the only two possibilities really. Cust is a similar age to those two and I’d have him better than both so they’d both be squad players. Short term we’d have a bit better depth if we’d have signed one of those two instead of Abdul but long term I’d maybe prefer to give Charles and Kemp game time. That’s assuming either would have wanted to join which isn’t a given at all especially Leyland. Either way I don’t think the Abdul signing had any real impact on who we could have brought in, we still went for our main targets regardless.

[quote="bonaire":nadasm1n]Ashworth signed as a starting front row and has the number 17 Cust signed as a starting 6/9 has the number 14 Martin currently our best wing has the number 22 on the other hand we have Briscoe with the number 2 and Chamberlain number 4 and both shouldnt be starting first team players so trying to make out that Holmes was not signed as a starting second row because he has the number 15 is nonsense.[/quote:nadasm1n] Can't remember Ashworth starting last year. Came on from the bench majority of the games played. You know full well Cust was signed as the player to play 14 and rotate in and out of half back/hooker. Only now Abdul has gone has he been promoted to starting 6. I do agree with Martin however. Strange he's not been given a starting jersey and looks likely to not start.

[quote="DSJ1983":35lpzbc5]Leyland and Russell were the only two possibilities really. Cust is a similar age to those two and I’d have him better than both so they’d both be squad players. Short term we’d have a bit better depth if we’d have signed one of those two instead of Abdul but long term I’d maybe prefer to give Charles and Kemp game time. That’s assuming either would have wanted to join which isn’t a given at all especially Leyland. Either way I don’t think the Abdul signing had any real impact on who we could have brought in, we still went for our main targets regardless.[/quote:35lpzbc5] Big difference between those named is Cust takes a quota spot, very early days, but I'm yet to be convinced he is worth one. Wouldn't have minded Leyland, Russell is awful though.

[quote="Dave K.":2ul22jwb][quote="DSJ1983":2ul22jwb]Leyland and Russell were the only two possibilities really. Cust is a similar age to those two and I’d have him better than both so they’d both be squad players. Short term we’d have a bit better depth if we’d have signed one of those two instead of Abdul but long term I’d maybe prefer to give Charles and Kemp game time. That’s assuming either would have wanted to join which isn’t a given at all especially Leyland. Either way I don’t think the Abdul signing had any real impact on who we could have brought in, we still went for our main targets regardless.[/quote:2ul22jwb] Big difference between those named is Cust takes a quota spot, very early days, but I'm yet to be convinced he is worth one. Wouldn't have minded Leyland, Russell is awful though.[/quote:2ul22jwb] In regards to the recruitment done in this off season as fans we don't know what the clubs plan and strategy is long term. Myler when he came in has had to plug the holes to stop us sinking further so to speak, I don't doubt these signing in the main will have been done to solve issues in the short term but also with an eye on recruitment/retention and promoting from within in mind for the long term. Taking out the fact there were little options available to us as a club at the time, factor in the club probably for once have a long term plan with set criteria so even if the market was awash with a number of players still doesn't mean we'd sign any if those signings had potential to jeopardise the long term goals. Then throw in the new transfer rules which were about to come which has changed the landscape significantly.