Looking at FC and Smiths plan for the future.The past few years we have been dire.Smith has been brought in and started the way back for us. It seems the path forward is to go with the young and local lads interspersed with some seasoned pros and overseas signings.Litten.Tindall.Martin.Scott.Trueman.Staverly.Gardiner.Armstrong.Etc Hopefully the backbone of our future. Yes not all will make it But the plan is there. He has brought in some big lads to address our lack of size.Dont get me wrong it's only a start and there's work to do. But it's a positive start for next year.

Was this written in 2001 but with names changed?

Why 2001

the big lads you've brought in are replacing the big lads that have left, you'll still have Fash, Cator and Lane in and around the 17. from what ive seen on social media most neutral fans think you'll struggle again next season despite what Adam Pearson was saying recently.
Hard time to have to do a big player rebuild for any team nevermind three teams if you include Cas and Leeds, the domestic player pool is so small there's really not much quality, so a lot of signings are gonna be gambles/hope and prays.

Imo big improvement what we had. We lost Taylor who was clearly struggling at times but gave his all. Satae who imo had one good game then 4/5 went missing. Evans say no more. All over 30. So yep defo an improvement with 4 big lads all under 30 replacing them

Would agree and can't see us needing or having Lane, Cator and Fash all in the same 17. With Ese' ese, Pele & Ashworth coming in alongside the likes Sao, Brown, Fash we should have a much more robust and reliable pack. As you say we lost Tag too often for periods, Evans was pretty much non existent when here and spent more time out the 17 than in it, so with those two alone we were left with little choice then add in Satae's 1 in 5 ratio. Hopefully Laidlaw and Gardiner will also be good options too along with Diakhate for decent cover.

As you say all relatively young with Sao being the only one over 30 so fingers crossed we won't get beaten down the middle too often.

LF will no doubt be Cator at present but think Brown could well be a decent option at 13 too, Hodgson put him there few times under his tenure and he did ok to be fair. Armstrong is well thought of, hopefully he will reach his potential.

SR could be the likes of Okunbor, Ashworth, Lane, Carlos/Scott with Staveley, Severs & Jebson.

Hopefully Lane will have a very good pre season and hit the ground running in 2024 and show the form he showed when he broke in to the 17, if not then I don't see him getting much game time.

I see Pearson named the players below as ones to look out for. Anyone seen them play or rate any of them? Hull are my second team as family and friends are ST holders, hence the interest!

Zach Jebson
Lewis Martin
Jack Charles
Cobie Wainhouse
Kye Armstrong
Roman Dawson

Jebson is a back rower, made his debut against Saints on the last game of the season - highly rated
Martin is a winger, also made his debut against Saints and scored a great try
Charles is 17/18, half or a full back, has played for Yorkshire and England. Very highly rated
Wainhouse - think he is a West Yorkshire lad but has come over. Seen him a couple of times and looks ok
Armstrong - plays 13, I think he needs to bulk up, but he has a good frame and good skillset
Dawson - 1st year Academy player. Scored a hat-trick against Cas away for the Academy, all from 60 yards out from memory, good speed and strength

I like the look of Martin on the wing. Also Dawson looks a right handful and has pace. Jebson imo is the one I'd pick to push his way into the 17 next year.

Last time he went to a game?