http://www.sporthull.co.uk/headlines/HULL-KR-Morgan-sticks-guns/article-1866204-detail/article.html From the talk of the bigger picture, I feel that maybe he thinks that the 2009 iteration had achieved what it could an to move forward again he had to shake things up. Hopefully it is one step backwards to take two forwards - rather than the other way round! Much too early to judge it yet, but we'd want to at least see some green shoots in the nearish future, I guess.

http://www.sporthull.co.uk/headlines/HULL-KR-Morgan-sticks-guns/article-1866204-detail/article.html From the talk of the bigger picture, I feel that maybe he thinks that the 2009 iteration had achieved what it could an to move forward again he had to shake things up. Hopefully it is one step backwards to take two forwards - rather than the other way round! Much too early to judge it yet, but we'd want to at least see some green shoots in the nearish future, I guess.

The way I see it JM has his hands tied, he had no money in the close season and had to sign players that to be fair would not of given many coaches much of a twinge when they became avaialble. He got Clinton which I think is a financial gamble now that the board have realised fans were not content with what they were presented with squad wise for 2010, but apart from him the sqaud is weaker than that of 2009, I dont think many would argue.

JM now has to play with the cards he has. I think he knows last years efforts were probably a little better than he had hoped and I think he is realistic enough to know they cant do it again with this team.

At the end of this year there are going to be a few more leaving for the sake of the clubs financial position surely, somebody giving out the sort of money certain players are on has turned out to be an expeinsive gamble for the sake of a 3rd place finish last year and to help balance books they have to be trimmed.

JM will probably need to build a squad in a similar mould next year so giving players run outs in positions he feels they may adapt to is probably a must if the club is to steady the loss of cash and try to compete with some of the good young players they have ready to grab a chance.

I could be wrong like.

1st time for everythng I suppose!

I have highlighted the parts I dont agree with.

If I can translate this, your saying JM lost Aizue, Fitzhenry, Fozzard and Gene
and directly replaced them with Clinton, Hodgson, Watts and Cook and brought in Ratu as well. Now if I'm correct these are more or less direct replacements.

Taking into account some maybe on there way at the end of the season, but will be replaced by either new signings or bringing through youth.

So why does that scenario mean we either a) weaker or b) forced into making positional changes that haven't worked.

Now I know the media (and mainly dullers) are saying we are light up front, yet we on Sunday looked perfectly adequate up front and with clinton added probably stronger up front than last year.

So an obvious line up of

Briscoe
Fox
Welham
Webster
Colbon

Cooke
Dobson

Clinton
Fisher
Vella
Newton
Galea
Murrell

Lovegrove
Netherton
Hodgson
Wheeldon

With depth of Cook, Ratu, Cockayne, Watts, I'anson

This is far stronger than we saw on the pitch for much of last year, don't tinker let the team pick itself.

You see, on one level I agree with some of the things you say, but you put such a negative spin on it. Excluding Clinton the squad is maybe weaker - but what reason is there to exclude him now he's arrived? He might be rubbish for all I know - on the other hand he might be brilliant. On paper the squad compares favourably with last year, IMO - it has just been a bit ropey out where it matters.



The thing is though, that if the budget is trimmed - as may well be prudent - I don't think the squad will be significantly smaller. Replacements will surely be brought in - they'll just be on less generous wages. I think this is seen as a genuine tactical thing rather, than an attempt to build a very small but versatile squad. I hope so anyway.

It means weaker because Liam Watts is not Makka or Fozzard, nor is Josh Hodgson a Fitzhenry. I will give you Clinton.

Results have and will probably continue to show that this is a weaker squad.

Only my thoughts though, you are probably right and Josh Hodgson will go on to play NRL and Watts will win SL Titles year in year out.

Weaker on paper, possibly, but Fozzard and particularly Macca missed most of last season. The actual players on the pitch are pretty much the same (but in different positions )

You are probably right but be honest, who would you rather have in the squad, Makka or Watts?

According to super league stats Fozzard played in 22 games and makka played in 15. That can't be right can it?