Just trying to keep tabs on our nearest rivals and I have had a look at your squad.

Do you lot think you are roughly the same, better or worse than last season in the player stakes?

I think we have improved as we have kept together what I think was a decent pack with some good performances last season against some better packs on paper. We have added to the back line and are still doing so, so I'm quietly confident about our chances next season.

What do you lot think?

For me I think our back line is much stronger than last year last season with a lot of virsitlity losing Wilshere (you remember him? ) is a blow but I think Matty Smith, Jodie Broughton, Ashley Gibson and Daniel Holdswoth are all very good signings and with Willie Talau back to fitness it'll be like having a new player. Ratchford will only get better which is a great thought so we now appear to have a great balance at the back.

As for the forwards, yeah I think they look Ok. I don't think we've really replaced Stapleton but there's still time I suppose. Again a lot of players can play anywhere in the pack I'd be happy if we brought in one more forward say a Prop / Second Rower but overall I'm fairly happy.

The thing is there is no real pressure on our lads as nobody expects us to be pulling up any trees and I think that'll help us.

I don't think we're too badly off. certainly no worse than last year. I think that the squad will benefit from some of the departures. I think there was a degree of disrption to the squad last year with certain people not pulling their weight and some bad feelings knocking around. ratchford will be better this year as I think the penny might have dropped with McCrae that he is our first choice stand off with one of the smiths at half back.

I also think there might well be a move towards our yongsters coming through a little bit more and some chances appearing for one or two local lads. I believe the club needs the emergence of an Andy Burgess or an Ian Blease from these kids.

cruel mate, class......but cruel

The squad doesn't look to be any worse than last year but then thankfully (for us) Celtic haven't improved either (overall).



I give it until Round 5 before he is sat with his feet up again for the remainder of the season.

really
how so DR

Because there is a tradition of former great players signing contracts with lower level clubs in order to improve their retirement funds without ever actually contributing. Not suggesting that this is the case here but it wouldn't be a surprise... Here's hoping!

I'm looking forward to this season the likes of Ratchford and Adamson will shine for sure.

I am also hoping Jeremy Smith finds his true form and his partnership with young Ratchford takes off.

Our new man Daniel Holdsworth could be anything he looks the part now all he needs to do is perform week in week out in a Reds shirt.

Hopefully we will see the boys in action before the Super League starts but if this weather stays the same the one thing is that it will be the same for all the SL clubs this season.

Apparently so, or at least the ladies seem to think so ....

i dont think the catalans will be effected like us over here. They will probably be the strongest team in the first few rounds as they will probably be playing friendlies uneffected.