The scrum halves plying their trade in SL this season are not a world class group:
Burrow
Long
Robinson
Dobson
Leuluai
Brough
Sherwin
Bosc
Orr
Monaghan
Deacon
Thorman
Myler
Van Dijk

If it were straightforward to capture the best playmakers from the NRL, everyone would be doing it. Whilst he's past his best, Long is as much a threat in any given match as any of that list IMO, for his unpredictability if nothing else, and miles better than what we've had available in the last couple of years.

good comeback

think those from the East are maybe getting a bit worried

Neither Finch or Ratchford are organising halves there both stand offs for me. I'm not saying either of them aren't good players cos they are but we've been crying out for an organiser since Cooke left and the two you've mentioned aren't that type of player.

I'd say Finch is, but agree on Ratchford, he's more of a running stand off.

Cooke is the type of player we are really lacking for next season in my opinion as is Ratchford, we need a player who can provide the outside backs with quality ball, look at how well Yeaman performed playing outside Cooke and with other backs such as Hall, Raynor, Calderwood and Briscoe we could have a deadly backline, at the moment having Horne at 6 I dont think we will use them to there potential.

Hopefully Long will have the impact Dykes had although I think Long will have a bit more quality around him then Dykes had to work with, he was the best available option for a club of our size, peopel mentioned the likes of Orford and Prince but it was never going to happen, a very good short term signing in my opinion.

Benefits count towards the cap

My mistake, I forgot how important binge drinking was to be a successful RL player. We'll miss Thackeray, King and Tommy Lee badly next season with only only Longy and Tickle to positively influence the team down the Weir. Maybe we'll get lucky and Michael Smith will come out of retirement to help us out. If we don't develop a drinking clique early on, we may not achieve 3rd from bottom again.

Banned

still plenty of binge drinkers left in the squad including the ring leader, who appears to have been missed out in the selective cull that went on

Amazing how some people are still taken in by the spin coming from the club and certain players alledged antics

it not always just as simple as throwing cash at it the player has to be available clubs are not just letting go quailty players ,saint have let long go because of his age simple ,young quality half backs are a rare thing thats why wolves have just paid a lot of money for a unproven kid in myler ,i think thre club where tracking a couple of oversea players but decided on long due to the fact he was available with no visa issues and wouldnt count on the quota good call i think ,and yes i think he could well be the missing link if he stays fit and he should have a good platform to work with from a great looking pack ,looking forward to a fresh looking side next year with plenty of exsperience and winners in there

Remember you joining our board Mark and I'm sure he was only taking you at your word from your first post, remember telling us all that you were a novice and needed advice from us all?? West Hull Fans have really good memories you know, especially when we have the back up of all your postings. I'm sure he'll always give you the benefit of any knowledge you may need, as would anyone of the fans, we all like to welcome all comers to our fan base........grannyfan Cindy

what a strange thread.

long has been the best half back we, england, has produced in a decade.

sure hes no spring chicken but he leads his side about better then anyone else in super league.

ratchford? not yet and he's a 6, finch? doesn't want to come to england and again is a better 6.

What i would have posted after i had finished reading the full thread,
Unless you want to pay big money in transfer fees you have to take the best of who is available and i believe the club has done that.
Hes still the best British scrum half around ability wise imo.