There’s a lot of scope for Leyland to improve, but let’s not forget that it was basically a free shot for London last year, they threw the ball about a lot with no pressure or expectation. When it went well for them they got the plaudits but when they played poorly there was no criticism or analysis it was just expected. Playing as a halfback for Warrington or Hull underachievers with huge expectations is a different kettle of fish, it will be interesting to see how he goes.

He’d have been a handy squad player instead of signing Abdull in hindsight for Hull. But we’d have still needed to sign a couple of more experienced/proven halfbacks. It’s a big if, but if Cust gets a good injury free run there’s no reason why he can’t do better than what he showed at Wigan or Salford especially. He’s still only 26, I’m sure Cartwright has signed him on the back of his Manly potential. He certainly wasn’t our first choice though there’s no denying that it is what it is hopefully he might surprise a few people with a bit of injury luck.

Cust also played well in a top side and did well in the NRL, still pretty young too, injuries have caused a loss of form. If he is over those injuries and get back to his first season at Wigan form, then we have a very good player.

I'm not convinced that will happen though.

Cust making quite a few of you look silly. Only one game but positive signs

Not really he scored two good tries and played well, but when he was going to be back up to abdull/sezer/amir people were reasonably questioning him as a quota signing as a back up.

FWIW I’m not so sure Cartwright really ever had him as back up to JA, it was reported early doors that he was training at 6 with Sezer. Like you say it’s strange use of a valuable quota spot if that was the plan but I’m not sure Cartwright was ever sold on JA, hence two quota HB’s brought in.

Let’s not get carried away with Cust, he really needs a good string of games, but for context he played 27 first grade games for Manly (Cartwright was assistant) and scored 9 try’s before he moved to SL at 22. Manly only let him join Wigan if they could have first option if he returned to the NRL. Again in context he’s younger then Tristan Sailor and played more first grade then he did in 3 less seasons. He also looked decent in a Wigan side that won the cup then the league in his 2 years. He got a bad injury which made them move French to 6 and lost his place to possibly the best ever SL import. Still a risky signing for me, but he’s hardly the mug some people made out.

Same applies to Sezer and Hardaker. Not perfect signings with age etc but absolute proven quality. Sezer coached by Carty previously and both played with Myler. Never my first choice of signings but obviously highly thought of by both the rugby blokes making the decisions. Think sometimes we let rival fans/trolls on here and social media get into our heads. Injury concerns are valid and time will tell on that, but there’s still some absolute quality and match winning experience in this side if we get a bit of luck.

Can't get carried away, there will be tougher games. I've been suprised at at the negativity to us signing Sezer, if you watched him last season he played very well in a poor side and Wests only won when he played. Think he will be a good signing and really help out two halfs.

Love how vocal and competitive he is, perfect captain.

Top goal kicker too.

I think the main criticism of the cust and sezer signings was their fitness records and age in sezers case. If we get plenty of games out of both they will prove good signings. Sezer was good at hudds but seemed to be constantly injured at Leeds. Cust injured regularly since he got that bad injury at wigan and doesn’t seem to have strung many games together since.

It's worrying that cartwright picked up another injury last night as he seems to be another one who can't stay fit and the squad just isn't big enough to cope with many injuries and be competitive, especially in the forwards

Think we have capacity to bring in at least 3 players, so hopefully we can keep a eye on the market and strengthen as we do.
Agree on Cartwright, really shame as he looks a really classy backrower and the type we haven't had for a few years.

Don’t think anybody would disagree with that. I think sometimes people do try and read too much into injury records though when it can just be luck. It’s a tough sport, there’s no guarantee though with any player at any age.

Look at Trueman at Hull, came back from an ACL. Had he kept injuring his knee in training or coming off in games you’d point to a persistent problem, but he strung a load of games together looking stronger each week then ruptured his achilles in a game. That’s just horrendous luck not necessarily injury prone. For any side to have a good season you have to get lucky with injuries somewhat.

More reports from the NRL that Hastings & Pryce could be out at Newcastle Knights , Hastings is supposed to be training with the Knights reserve side .
I wonder if we have enough Cap space to tempt Pryce back to England .

Myler has stated that we have room on the cap and are actively looking to recruit if the right player comes available. Pryce would be a very good signing and will give us more options at FB and SO.

If that’s the case and Pryce has no suitors in the NRL then I’d hope we’d at least make a play for him as a replacement for Abdul. He’d certainly be a great signing and added bonus being non quota.