According to the HDM, Neil has stated he wants the team to challenge for a top 5/6th position next season, albeit a qualified statement.

Based on the evidence of investing in higher quality players and new backroom facilities, then from Neil's perspective he will want to see a return on the Board's investment.

My concern is that by making this target public he is doing a Pearson, and exerting unnecessary pressure which the media and the fan base will constantly refer back to.

Having said that I agree with Neil that this is arguably the best squad Rovers have had in SL, and I too share his enthusiasm for next season, but feel he will need to ride out the storm of the opening fixtures and allow the team to settle.

As for finishing in 5/6th, there is genuine depth in the squad and even scope for CS to rotate the forwards, so once the squad settles and finds a level of consistency I reckon we will see Rovers making a concerted move up the ladder in the run up to the play offs. On paper it is achievable,

He included a couple of caveats with luck and injuries.

Tbf, he's not said we're going to do the double - just that we're aiming for the top part of mid-table. 5/6th might not even get a team in the play-offs from 2015, depending on what is finally agreed.
Whereas the last couple of 'transitional' seasons I thought about a dozen weekly round wins would be par, I think we should now be aiming to win more than we lose and have a good shot at winning at least one play-off game. With so many changes, I wouldn't take anything for granted though.

I actually think statements like this are a good idea. If people cannot handle pressure and expectation they are the wrong people. If as it is lead to be believed, that this is your best squad, 5th / 6th should be a realistic aim, and I think it is fair to raise that challenge, whilst also giving the supporters a bit of hope.

personally I hope you don'y make the 8, but I think you will

All the pressure will be on Kris Keating. We all know that how he goes will ultimately dictate how we go.

The trouble with sport is that you can't just improve yourselves based on year-on-year. There are 13 other clubs all trying to do the same.

its better than saying well probably finish in the bottom two I guess

Doing a Pearson.

He can do what he wants, if it wasn't for him you wouldn't have a club.

Very realistic is the NH target, certainly nothing like Pearsons prediction for last season. 6th spot is open to us along with a few other clubs, breaking into the 5 is a different matter.

You wouldn't, you'd still be a miserable with banter.

I don't see aiming for 5/6 as that much more ambitious than aiming for a play off place, which pretty much every club will state they are aiming for, or higher. It's certainly not crazy talk.

Yes, I would. You overestimate yourself.

Had we bothered to turn up for our last two games we would have finished 6th in 2013, so it's not an unrealistic target.

We might as well forget about the challenge cup next year.
Hull FC will be returning has winners according to their chairman

rlhttps://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Adam-Pearson-Hull-FC-year-winners/story-19709080-detail/story.htmlrl

DD proving how thick he is.

Can't see anywhere in that article he says we will win the CC next year.

He does say we would like to return and win it this time, but surley most clubs would like that.

there's deffo more of a buzz around the club at the minute compared to this time last year. tough to call the top 6 this year, other teams have recruited well and will fancy their chances along with us.