Potentially a good signing for Hull, no doubt about that. Although they'll put a brave face on it, on the back of losing Shenton, it isn't good for Cas. £150k is a drop in the ocean compared to the costs of a stadium. If they lose 400 off their gates, about half of it will disappear anyway. Still, Smokey approves of their model.
No reason you should care, just thought it'd be a bit cruel to put it on their board at the moment. Off to the Wakefield board now - my word the franchise system is morbidly fascinating.

He's not first choice for shirts 1-13 and will be in a scrap to be 2nd choice for most of those roles. I'm not questioning his utility value but ultimately been 2nd or 3rd choice for shirts 1-13 makes him 'bit part' imo.

Why? We can afford it pretty easily.

On the positive side:
1. He's young
2. He's Super League standard (and potentially international standard)
3. He's British
4. He's another goalkicker

On the downside
1. We really don't need another back row forward now (although we will when Fitz retires)
2. There are question marks over his attitude/temperament

Did anyone notice that in the club website article it twice refers to his experience at stand-off? I hope he isn't going to be our back-up half back but it makes you wonder when you think about the fee we've paid and the fact that he's likely to be on a good contract.

Sorry if any of these points have already been made but I can't be @rsed to read all 5 pages of the thread.

I noticed that. He may well be our 1st choice half back!

That's one way of looking at it. The other is that he's 1st choice for the utility spot and will likely be on the bench at least most games. No to mention the interest from McNamara for the England squad based on that unequalled utility value.

I'm not so sure he'll make the bench. I think our bench will be 2 props, 1 SR and a hooker.

Great signing !! Also, a sign of real intent and ambition from our club to pay a fee that most clubs could only dream of paying. (It seems they do have some on-field ambition afterall )

Not only a genuine 13 and a very good young English player, but he also gives us the opportunity to improve our front row with Fitz or Lauaki after the two recent underwhelming retentions.

All in all, a very good bit of business for all concerned !! Well done JR/KH/RA/BOD etc...

A good 6/7/9 type player next and maybe 2011 won't be quite as bad as I, and many others, were predicting.

Well i've predicted a top 3 finish for the last 3 seasons, i wont be making any predictions for 2011!

Pleased with the signing and hope he is signed as a 13, Would liked to have seen Whiting given a go .

Young kid, big transfer fee and lot's of expectation. I hope not, but the preassure could soon start to mount imo.

Don't get me wrong, I am pretty happy with the signing, although I do have reservations about the cost and our ability as a club to get the most out of him. If we play him as a traditional ball handling 13 then this could go down as a good bit of business by the club. But, if we use him as another battering ram then it will be a complete waste of money.

happy with this, 1 more in maybe by end of wk!

Will either be a brilliant signing or he'll get found out as the spotlight will be very much on him.

Fingers crossed he'll go really well under the guidance of Fitz.

Great signing. Hope this is not a sweetener for the fans for an announcement that we have signed cooke.

That is the worry, once Agar gets his hands on him.