You base this on what ?

Mmmm as I thought your bias!

A better player now than he was at Hull, I think you were very confident was a non-debate. Stats and major final appearances would indicate this is not as clear-cut as you reckon.

Ok then, Aspinwall and Burnett are far better players than any of the backrow players we have signed. Defend it as much as you want, guess Im happy with our signings of Horne, Mika and Paea and you are happier with Aspinwall and Burnett. Not sure if I will understand it, must be a black and white thing lol

Used correctly he could be as good as Moa is for us.

You get better!

That would make it a worse signing, he's poor in the front row.

You're not even comparing like with like.

Our first choice back three last season were Manu, Tickle and Westerman. Our first choice back three this season will be Manu, Tickle and Westerman. We've released our bench backrower, Lauaki, and Washbrook who was poor, and replaced with Aspinwall and Burnett. Maybe a downtrade, but not a huge dilution of quality. You've effectively (from a cap perspective) released Clint Newton and Willie Mason and replaced them with Paea (who sounds a good signing) and some guy who's barely played first grade, plus Horne who was released by Hull. Not sure I understand your position of glee on this at all.

You could see our bench front rowers used very differently next season.

Not sure how that would suddenly make Burnett a good prop. I've seen him play there quite a bit for the academy/20s, and despite usually being the only full-timer and with SL experience under his belt he still couldn't even stand out at that level. We've released others to championship clubs who were better.

Quote: Rupert Pupkin "Ok then, Aspinwall and Burnett are far better players than any of the backrow players we have signed. Defend it as much as you want, guess Im happy with our signings of Horne, Mika and Paea and you are happier with Aspinwall and Burnett. Not sure if I will understand it, must be a black and white thing lol'" I be more worried about your signings, the link more makes good reading, from people who have watched them, play. forums.leagueunlimited.com/showt ... 392&page=2 As for Horne he is no better than he was at Hull, every so often he would have very good games, the rest of the time average, I saw no different at Huddersfield, Aspinwall is a better player than him, ask the Hudds fans who they think is a better player. Players like Aspinwall and Burnett are squad players, who will provide cover, Mika and Mcdonnell will be starting for you, that's the difference. Martin aside, I think all of our will add something to the squad, our team and squad is better than last year, not sure the same can be said about Rovers.

Quote: Rupert Pupkin "Ok then, Aspinwall and Burnett are far better players than any of the backrow players we have signed. Defend it as much as you want, guess Im happy with our signings of Horne, Mika and Paea and you are happier with Aspinwall and Burnett. Not sure if I will understand it, must be a black and white thing lol'" I be more worried about your signings, the link more makes good reading, from people who have watched them, play. forums.leagueunlimited.com/showt ... 392&page=2 As for Horne he is no better than he was at Hull, every so often he would have very good games, the rest of the time average, I saw no different at Huddersfield, Aspinwall is a better player than him, ask the Hudds fans who they think is a better player. Players like Aspinwall and Burnett are squad players, who will provide cover, Mika and Mcdonnell will be starting for you, that's the difference. Martin aside, I think all of our will add something to the squad, our team and squad is better than last year, not sure the same can be said about Rovers.

Spot on.

It's straw clutching by Rupert. He's obsessed with us and is desperate to try and undermine us anyway he can. Like we actually care.

Not clutching at any straws!

You talk about these recent players you have signed as not a huge downtrade but a downtrade they are, something that was not goint to happen according to Pearson. More potential for trouble with Aspinwall than Horne, another thing your club has tried to remove over the years but looks like failing again.

As for cap perspective, who cares if we have not replaced what we have lost in the S/R. I dont think we expected such a strong emergence of a Cox, the loss of Newton will be tough though.
As for our starting S/R, not sure Mika will be a starter, we have plenty in that position, me personally would go with Galea and Cox.

Is your starting 13 going to be stronger than last season? Well it certainly will be in the halves as long as Seymoor arrives, Im really not sure on how his recent behaviour will effect his VISA application. You guys will be stronger in the hooking role, providing you get the Heremaia(sp)from recent years and not the one who failed to perform last time he was in this country, a few ifs and buts here. Lynch is a quality addition as I have already said, a player I have always rated. As most of you know its going to be strength in depth thats the real problem.

I wouldnt go as far as jumping around in glee over the Horne signing but he does give us decent cover. Plus what I have seen he has improved since leaving your club and I would imagine he was jumping around with glee when a stronger team like Hudds came in for him.

I read that forum and the comments the fans made regarding our new signings, not great reading at all if you believe everything you read. Happens on here with players once they leave FC, all of a sudden they are garbage. Sandercock has worked with these players at Newcastle so should know them a little better than most, hopefully they prove to be good signings.

You're the one slating FC's signings. Fact is that our first choice back row is the same as last year. Our cover is a bit diluted, but arguably improved as Whiting may be freed up from centre. Rovers stellar back row which all were crowing about this time last year has been dismantled with Mason being messed about by your board and Newton begging for a release. One of their replacements has played 14 games. Your dilution of quality is more concerning than ours, I'd suggest.

As for Horne, you have no evidence of the step on in performance you suggest and have yet to address my point that his stats are no different to his time at FC where he played in 2 major finals. I'm guessing it's a bit difficult for you.

Forgot about your stats as they never tell the whole story.

Why don't you just see who does the talking on the pitch