Just to move away from visa's do the Rovers fans think Clinton will be the saviour this season? My view (and it's not trolling) is that Rovers are weak in the forwards and are starting to pick injuries up that in the main you managed to miss last season. Will Clinton bring enough to allow you to challenge or is it case of pinning hopes on him and praying?

I don't think of him as a saviour, just a very welcome addition in a position we need strengthening. As for injuries, well they are just part of the game and you just get on with it. This time last year we had Vella out for virtually 3 months, Cooke missed the 1st 3 or 4 games and Walker got suspended for 2 games after the opener. This year we have Walker, Briscoe & Galea currently out, but that list can change every week. You need to define your use of "challenge" before I can comment on the last bit.

Challenge the top 4/6?

Don't think anything is being pinned on Clinton at all.

I could understand if it was like Hull pinning all their hopes on their three main signings (not stirring, it's true) but Rovers have a great side without Clinton.

One of the best number 7s in the league, we all know what Cooke can do, Newton and Galea are a devestating second row and we have some great young props in Lovegrove and Wheeldon. Not to mention a quality back line. We need to bring in another BIG forward who can have some impact in the game and that's what Joel is. We could live without him, hence why the club haven't been announcing every little movement made by him in the past 3 months.

I also think our pack is underated. I could understand if all the forwards looked like Kris Whelam (small, not ginger lol) but rhys, wheeldon and vella are no small guys. And watts is gonna be a good one for the future, and there is also Beaumont who hasn't featured yet. He's a huge guy. Only thing we lack there is a bit of experience, and that's what joel will bring.

But to reply to the point raised, I don't think any sensible level headed Hull KR fan will be "pinning" the season on Joel or our hopes of challenging on him.

As Goroka said I dont think anyone as seeing him as a saviour, just a much needed addition to an area where we are pretty short on experience, size and cover.

Top 4 is tough but 6th is achievable, win 50% of your games and your there about.

Fair point about 50% of games. If Clinton wasn't to arrive do you think Morgs would try to dip back in the market for another prop from somewhere else or just go with what you've got?

I'm guessing you think 6th would be more acheiveable with Clinton than without though?

We thumped a poor team at home, then were babbed on by a strong one away. I think we are reserving judgement until we have seen more. I remain optimistic - but it'll be a few weeks until we can make a proper first assessment, IMO.

He'd certainly be a very welcome addition. Sometimes takes Aussies a while to adjust, so while I hope he tears up trees from day one, I'm not assuming he will turn us into World-beaters.

I agree with most your points but disagree with your comment claiming Rovers could live without a big impact prop/forward. Last years play offs showed that you were a top impact player or two away from challenging at that level.

Your pack has plenty of workmanlike and skillful forwards but to challenge I believe you need more impact. Clinton will help towards that.

Clintons signing I believe has been played down simply because nobody was sure if he would actually arrive!

Fair point, think our forwards were worn out from having to put the work in, which would be eliminated with an impact player ala Clinton

Good post and I agree 90%. That is no fun though, so let's focus on the 10%. I think too much can be read into those two play-off defeats, in terms of quality - I think we just ran out of steam, similar to Hudds. We weren't the only team to get stuffed at Headingley last year and Wigan finished the season strongly.
Hopefully this year we can make the play-offs, having paced ourselves a bit better.

10% eh?

Hudds didnt run out of steam they lost 2 low scoring play games because their attack want as effective with Kevin Brown sat in the stands!

I expect Rovers to be in the 5-8 bracket come the end of the season. My expectations are the same with or without Clinton, but I suspect that by the weekend that debate becomes irrelevant!

Very good post. It is way too early to say how either of our teams are going to do this season. 2 games is not enough to make a reasonable assesment of how things are going to go. Rovers supporters who have gone to the games will have a lot better idea of how the team are faring because they will see a lot of stuff that is not reported. Likewise with us.

If Clinton arrives and it seems promising for you that he will it will add much needed muscle to your attack which is seriously light IMO. But as others have pointed out Rovers could well fare better when the warmer weather gets here (IF it gets here) with a lighter pack than most they will have a bit more mobility. There is no doubting they have some very creative players in their side and those type of players can be crucial in the tight games.