The reality is this.

Last 4 finishes have been 6, 8, 6, 6. So we're a top 6 side, but unable to deliver the consistency to break the top 4.

We play in the best stadium in the competition and are top 4 in terms of attendances. That said we don't have the same resources as the top 4. Wigan have a gazillion back room staff and benchmark academy. Warrington and Huddersfield the bankrolling availability of Moran and Davey. Leeds own their ground and have a bigger fanbase and excellent academy. We don't have that level of resource available, nor the recent pedigree of success of these teams. The consequence is that we're a harder sell for players and probably pay a premium to secure them. Overlay the imperative to retain our homegrown players like Shaul, Lineham and Crooks and the limited availability of top drawer players in the open market (which is getting worse), and our recruitment is a challenge.

Personally I'm OK with another year of 6th and a final appearance given that we've had 8 half back combinations and have missed our marquee signing for most of the year, because the emergence of the younger players at 1st team, U19 and academy is grounds for optimism that we're focussing in the right area.

We'll be renewing all 4 passes. The quality of the overall competition will be diluted next year - apart from Saints and Salford, there's precious little net squad improvement going on- so that's got to be an opportunity.

Not really seen much about new players from wigan, wire or leeds. hudds supposedly signing broughton.

Maybe you're right and 6th is where we're at and staying there

One thing ive gathered on this forum is that no matter who we sign who we beat how well we do , some will moan and just be negative,

If we were World Club Champions and Challenge Cup Winners five years on the trot, quite a few on here would still find something to moan about.

Good post!

Well yeah, there's no way I could afford all those finals.

One thing ive gathered on this forum is that no matter who we sign who we lose to how poorly we do , some will smile and just be positive

Good summary & your right, my darkest moment this year has got to be Wembley & I sulked & questioned our coaching etc however the improvements in the club are clear to see & the difficulties we face are captured by yourself very well. My optimism is nicely restoring itself, passes shall be renewed & I will convince myself we will finish top 4 just like I have done for the last god knows how many years & Gentle will be the best thing since sliced bread...I love my club simple as that so my sulks don't last long.

Excellent post, its about time we backed the lads okay there's been some poor performances but the same counts for Wigan saints Leeds etc., the positives of so much local talent coming through the ranks is brilliant and they will only be better for next season and the future of the club, as I said in a post previously the likes of shaul, lineman, crooks, green, Bowden would have been discarded and all playing nl1 or amateur rugby by the Hetherington and rule regime and don't forget the next crop James Cunningham etc. who will probably be given the chance next season at least we aren't signing washed up aussies who are injured like our poor relations so come lets be a cup half full rather than a cup half empty come on ulllarrghhhhh

maybe i do always try and find positive things about the team, and believe me thats bloomin hard sometimes , but there is a few on here who cant wait to slag off fc and put a downer on everthing we do, off course all supporters dont sing from the same sheet and not everything we do is great,we all have our opinions but come on people like seb etc imo are not fc supporters in my eyes, just my opinion of course

Black an White through an through..

May slag the team off (When it counts,) But i'll always be there cheering them on.

I think we have had enough breaks (and pulls and tears) this season

I am one of those fans who can be overly negative at times, however that’s born out of my passion for the club that I want to succeed so much. I am genuinely undecided on renewing my pass this year for a number of reasons. First off I live in Sheffield so all games are away for me, secondly I have a young family that I struggle to justify the time away from them when what I get in return so often is disappointment. The main reason though is the last 7 years of underachieving and inconsistency. The club to me seem to improving in every single area except the 1st team performances which is the main one for most fans. The club outlined what their expectations were this year (top 4), yet for whatever the reason we yet again haven’t met this goal and think this year is just one season too far for my personal tolerance of failure. Even when I’m feeling objective, I still think PG recruitment is poor, even with the restrictions SL clubs now find themselves under and so this has not helped sway me to renew either. I hope the club do well in the future but I just haven’t seen enough under PG to suggest it will.

just the type of post needed now and again to chivy fans out of their listlessness after cup run highs n wembley and after lows. we've a good chance v giants but if we dont do it, so what- taking the season as a whole we've seen the first green shoots of a good squad developing with a mixture of home grown and bought experience, with no idea yet who else is to arrive.
dont forget this is only gentles first season with his players plus a lot he inherited.
re the comment about decades of watching the fc, i'm into my 50th year next season and by my experience i can see we are on the ascendancy just like huddersfield 6or so years ago.
so wotever thursday,
cum on u ulllaaa