Given the challenges Rovers face in building a squad, I don't think any sensible option should be dismissed.

However, in terms of season-long loans, I don't think there'd be many deals that'd suit both clubs.

Hull might be looking for development opportunities for younger players who could 'do a job' in the Championship, but who'd probably not yet 'make a difference'. If they're only on the fringes of Rovers first team, they won't get much chance to develop, and Rovers can't afford to be padding the squad just for the sake of it. We're not now running an under-23s, of course. 'Potential' we'll have pretty well covered if we persuade most of Moran, Cator, Jubb, Lawler, Wardill, Marsh, Oakes [iet al.[/i to stay on. Basically, I can't see you letting us having the players we'd want - for a whole season at least.

If we're struggling with injuries in a particular position, where you've got lots of depth and a player looking for an opportunity at a better standard than the under-23s, the odd month-long deal might work for both parties.

Blair and Lunt. As a fan of a Championship club, I'm delighted with the quality, but still think we need to add some depth.

Promotion - unless a SL club has a massive existential crisis (fingers crossed, eh?!), it'll be very difficult. Even then, other teams in this league will fancy their chances. Still, it does have to be the aim. Cup final is taking the Jake 'set the metrics to ensure failure' approach to an entertainingly absurd extreme.

If Hull concede a single try in 2017, I think it would be a MASSIVE failure and your 2018 kit should consist of sackcloth and ashes, and Lee Radford should change his name to Faily McFailfail.

I seem to have more optimism than you Mild Rover. I don't think it'll need a crisis from a bottom four superleague team for us to get promoted again.
The players that look like staying, plus the two from Bradford and a few of sheens' signings, which you probably would agree, shouldn't be duds. And then adding quality at the year end with decent money. I think the competition will be more open than you think.
Try and be a bit more optimistic eh.

Oh, I'm optimistic we've got a shot, just not underestimating the scale of the task.

Maybe when I see the final squad, I'll feel a bit more ebullient.

I'm definitely looking forward to next season.

As a Wakey fan, I know what it's like to sit in the bottom not achieving great success but not tripping up top much either. I honestly think you need to scrap the idea of a cup run next season. It might seem like a nice distraction for you fans to try and get somewhere, but it's also a distraction on your players too. You want them to be committed to making the top 4, preferably the top 2 and winning as many games as possible in the middle 8s

Leigh had a good cup run in '15 and binned the middle 8s, the dumped out of the Cup in their first round in '16 and got promoted. They played easy rugby for the first half of the season and then recruited heavily in the back end of the regular season (similar to what Wakey did in '15 and got slated for).

Best of luck next year, I also follow Dewsbury and make as many of their games as I can fit in around my Wakey Season Ticket. Hopefully I'll be stood chatting to some of you again this coming season

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The Dewsbury-Wakefield ground share would have been ideal for you then

I think the players I mentioned Abdul, Logan could do a good job in SL I think they could be very good in the championship and again I think Hull are looking to off load players on loan Cooke said as much I think them 2 players would be a very good addition to Rovers squad right now but I Think its politics would Rovers want to be looking like they where relying on there bitterest rivals and would Hull want to be seen giving them a leg its poor really if it works it should happen and its about time the bitterness between the clubs stopped, yes we want to beat each other but is only rugby at the end of the day good sense for the players if they can get good game time and help there careers at a club 10mins up the road

Now we are a"Second Tier Club" should we be looking into a dual registration agreement?
Maybe with Jamie P. Contact at Leeds this could work in both our favours They can have Dixon and we'll have Hardaker.!!
Plus an development players from their under 23's. and they could take some of our first who don't fancy championship for a season, Thornley, Walker etc.

We've only got two players contracted, officially at least. So right now, they'd add plenty.

While Abdull brings a new dimension to the concept of being 'young and hungry', if Addy stays at Bratfud and the alternative is a 37-year old Scott Prince then he starts to look attractive, in Rubensesque kinda way. But I don't think he is really what we need - an experienced hb who can direct play is what we should be looking for. Somebody suggested Liam Finn, on one of the forums.

As for a slim centre, who missed most of 2016 with injury, though unconfirmed I expect Salter to stay.

A lot depends on who we retain. Fash played a few games for Leigh, iirc - somebody like him might be a better fit. Depth and rotation is more important in the forwards.

Im pretty sure the 2 from bradford are no longer coming.Addy is no loss but mitch clark is quality,fingers crossed he still comes.

The Bradford local rag said they were both coming still.
Agreed about Clark. Could be an upgrade on Walker when he finds a new club.

I think you'll get promoted if you can put together a half decent team. With sheens gone and mar kicking off every 5 minutes I expect them to be a lot worse this season unless they sack their coach at some point. Obviously with a chris chester pre season you'll also all be confident of finishing above wakey in the middle 8's too

I'll give it two months, and the wakey fans will be after his resignation.

Leeds have a DR arrangement with Featherstone and that will continue next season.

Wakey will be the team in trouble next year. They had a couple of wins this year when Chester arrived that saved them from the middle 8s. They would have struggled badly this year if not for those wins. That is your aim for next season. Not to beat the championship clubs in the season but to beat Wakey twice - in the 8s and £1m game.
I predicted KR to go down this year once the bottom 4 was sorted mainly down to injuries. I was nearly wrong till that last 2 minutes but I fully expect Wakey to be on the trap door soon and unfortunately for them I also think they could then be in massive trouble when they do fall and could end up there for many, many years. KR mustn't get distracted by the teams that just aim to spoil. That happens a lot with the trainee refs you will get.