Unfortuantely you've got to be realistic. There are 3 drivers of signings like this IMO;

a) The NRL market aren't too keen on SL, the main attraction i.e. Money, is much less of an attraction because the NRL can offer much more on their salary cap.
b) Like it or not, the Mason situation portrayed Hull KR in a poor light. The fact it was Mason, although he is perhaps disliked by others in the NRL, meant it received more media attention than say Ben Fisher.
c) There is a lot of uncertainty at Hull KR at the moment - No manager, will Newton/Clinton leave?, Questionnable finances.

Vella and Cook?

Mike Smithin addition to 3 quality players? Who's the other one? Withers?

O'Hara will come as a non-quota player . He's a SOO player who is a big improvement on Mick Vella who will make way for him IMO.

Horne will come as a fed trained player as cover for centre/back-row maybe indicating Hall may get a chance at full-back/wing next year which I think will do him good cos he isn't gonna get in-front of Welham or Webster. Horne has improved considerably since his time under Nathan Brown so should be a useful squad player.

Both players should come at a reasonable price and therefore provide good value for money which is the name of the game in a salary cap sport.

I'd still like to see:-

- A hooker (Withers would be a good signing if we can get him)
- Another front-rower (in the mould of David Ferriol etc.)
- A winger to replace Colbon
- A full-back

Now GH's signing is official, I'm interested as to where you feel he'll fit in? He's recently played at centre, a position many Giants fans feel is his best, but he won't be starting centre for Hull KR will he? Infact, I'd suggest Hall, Welham and Webster would all be ahead of him.

His second most recognised position is second row - but if Matt Cook, one of your best players IMO, can't force his way into the team, I doubt Horne can. If Newton/Cook are leaving then perhaps he will fit in here?

I know you'll suggest that he's just coming in as back up, but I'm not sure he is. Why would he leave Huddersfield, where he was a utility back up player, to come to a side half as good? (Only reason would be to move closer to home)

Netherton please

Graeme Horne has certainly improved since His Hull FC days and I see him as a regular member of the 17 at Rovers next year.

He will be primarily a back-rower, but comes with the added bonus of being a capable stand-in centre who can also do a 'turn' at prop or even hooker if need be.

He doesn't cost a fortune, still has improvement in him, and I am sure will provide great value for money.

But here is the rub; He has been signed to replace a player (Matt Cooke) who, with his game breaking qualities, offers even greater value for money on the cap!

Had Horne being signed to replace the excruciatingly mediocre Jason Netherton, I am sure his signing would be met with more enthusiasm!

Replacing Vella with O'Hara represents a shrewd piece of business for Rovers.

The club are getting a more effective player (than the post-2008 Vella) and making a significant salary cap saving too - (Vella is rumoured to be Rovers' highest paid player on an estimated £140k).

From what I hear, Hodgson is replacing Fox for less money too while I am sure replacing Cooke with Graeme Horne will be like-for-like on the 'cap.

Lincoln Withers will cost slightly more than Fisher, but is a far superior player, so, up to now at least, Rovers will have strengthened the squad whilst making a fairly significant salary cap saving.

This will be offset though by upgraded contracts for the likes Josh Hodgson and, in particular, the in-demand Scott Taylor.

Given that the outgoing Shaun Briscoe and Joel Clinton are both among Rovers' top earners, I suspect Rovers' biggest name signings will be their direct replacements and will probably be announced after September 1st, probably around the time of next season's season ticket launch!

This is what it's all about - value for money and for me, the likes of Vella & Fox haven't been giving any for a couple of seasons.

Are you sure that Clinton is going?

The Matt Cook thing is totally blown up out of proportion IMO; he had a run of games when Newton was out injured and all you heard was people saying "we're missing Newton..."

Yes, Cook has provided real energy and enthusiasm coming off the bench but quite often this has been late in the game when the game's intensity has dropped.

Think they may have got Clint and Clinton mixed up.

For me this is about building a squad. I think we have the spine of our team pretty much in place i.e. Centres, halves and back row. Its now time to build a squad around the likes of Webster, Welham, Green, Dobson, Newton and Galea and this for me makes Greame Horn a decent to good signing.

IMO Cook has been every bit as effective as Newton when he has played this season. As for the "[iwe're missing Newton[/i" calls, this was just a plain excuse for Rovers poor form. Fact is they have not been any better when he has played.

I think Graham Horne is a very good signing. Yes he offer plenty of versatility but he is a pretty accomplished back rower now and he is still only 26.

I think it's fair to say everyone is happy with your recruitment so far for 2012, Hull and rovers fans alike.

a - I agree with.
b - the Mason farago was very embarrassing, but it was a very peculiar set of circumstances - a good chunk of them beyond HKR's control. I can't see it being a major issue going forward.
c - We'll get a coach, players that leave will be replaced. Our finances are no worse than most. They're worse than yours - that's the only reason people go on about them as much as they do. The level of ambition and how realistic that is will be important.