I thought Pearson hinted at expectations to reach finals, to justify his outlay this season, the way our club operates currently we need to be reaching these finals too profit.

I'm wondering if we're financially hamstrung playing at the kc. Pearson stated commercial deals had never been so high, season pass sales and shirt sales are also always high, so how does our club go to the next level with regards to improving income?

Consistently reaching finals would be one.
Pearson also hinted at super league getting a lot better broadcasting deals.

I see your point and agree that AP is expecting an improvement and will likely pull the trigger if he doesn't get one. We have a good squad but so do many other sides, and plenty on here would argue others have better coaches. Definitely looking forward to seeing what the new crop brings, starting next Sunday.

No, just providing context that other teams will have similar expectations and many on here would argue better coaches. I'm simply looking forward to whatever the season brings. We've got new blood in Ma'u, Jones, Sao, a strong three quarter line and competition in the halves. Will be behind them whatever happens, starting next Sunday.

Wigan are weak in the forwards this year so dont see them in the top two or three.Burgess and Hastings cant carry the team for whole season.
It will be Warrington Saints and us for the top two.
We have some real power and pace this season and if we get a good start to the season and the confidence grows i cant see many teams getting on top of us.
Keeping some of the fringe players happy will be a big job for the coach.Just cant see the likes of Dawson getting a look in.Even Griffin and Connor may have to settle for a place on the bench.
That said i still like Connor at right centre with Ratu.

Exactly. We can all have different interpretations of Hull FC factors (coach, recent history, squad etc) and of other clubs (GF pedigree, financial status, coaches and so forth).


This is just silly and unnecessarily inflammatory IMO, unless that's what you were going for. I'm not defeatist, I'm optimistic (excited for next weekend) but realistic, with no sense of entitlement. I'm not setting low expectations (least of all for myself) just recognising the challenges we face whilst enjoying the journey.


That's pretty much what I said. We are aligned.


Props apart we agree once more.


Well, we've used exemptions in the past so this isn't a new thing, right? Homegrown dispensations, RU ones I think?


Employing players earning a marquee salary and employing the rule itself aren't quite the same as was discussed in some detail regards multiple dispensations available on another thread.


Expect away. The bandwidth exhausted on here by the Radford critics over an extended period would suggest it's unlikely. It's not long since we had some pretty extreme reactions to our 2019 unravelling, so to go from such a low ebb to confident of 4th is quite a leap, particularly as you reference the importance of coaching.


I agree again about the best team in a while. I would also point out though that Saints and Warrington didn't need to do much recruitment with trophies in their cabinet.

Well let's hope so. It's at Headlingley, mind, what could possibly go wrong?

The starting 2-6 is a conundrum. I think Tuimavave and Fonua will be in there, but could be any 3 from Naulago, Faraimo, Swift, Connor, Griffin and Kelly. Hurrell needs marshalling in the first game that's for sure.

First game in 2016 was Salford at home. Impressive performance, especially in the first half when we ran in five tries to lead 26-6 although Salford improved after the break and it finished 42-20. The following week we went to Catalans and won 38-10 with Tuimavave and Talanoa on fire. We then lost three in a row culminating in the dressing room lock in at Widnes.

With a bit of luck, we'll be alright.

Let’s see where we are at 9 games
Been the barometer every year

Every year is different. Salford's efforts last year blow your stats out the window, you'd have loved to be in their place last October.

The trophies are won in knock-out games, it's about putting yourself in those games and then performing in them.

Are you giving your barometer a New Year polish?
Let's not yeah? Karen

i hope we compete in every game - i hate the way we switch off and go on a run of losses later in the season when we should be peaking

i hope there are no more heavy blow out defeats

would like top 4, anything else would be disappointing given the squad

finally i hope we stay relatively injury free

player to watch - Manu M'au. For anyone who didn't see Parramatta last year he was their stand out forward, and has no little amount of skill as well as the muscle. His age indicates he should be peaking during his tenure with us. He should be a wow in superleague

Salfords run in the play offs wasn’t based on their final league position
Look where they finished and where they were at 9