2005/2006 we were very, very good, if it weren't for an absolutely top St.Helens team (god knows how they got that side under the salary cap) we'd have been champions playing outstanding rugby in '06. Cooke ably backed up by lots of players at the top of their game and we were an absolute pleasure to watch. Until we started getting loads of injuries 2013 was a breath of fresh air, Horne was having a great season and with Holdsworth we really started looking like a very decent side despite loads of rookies, it does show how much reliance you have on a 6 & 7 to run the show.

Even with a fully fit side I don't think the team of the last 3 years would beat the 2005/6 team or even that of the McRae era because they would simply score more points and open our defence like a cheap tin of sardines time and time again.
I think mentally they were more resilient too.

The last 3 years including this we've had one of the best teams in recent memory and whilst we've won the CC with some good performances - Cas and Leeds last year particularly were two of the very best performances since the Warrington and Catalans CC wins in '13, our form in the league has being ridiculously up and down, sublime fantastic performances to ugly, drab and downright horrible.
It's so frustrating.

Exactly my point Jake
We may have banked £100000 but Watts was definately in the top three UK props in my opinion and we cant replace him for that money.
Ikahihifo would have been the one to go for if we are looking for impact.
Minichello is either playing injured or resigned to it being his last season.No impact,poor defence and too much sideways running.
Sneyd/Connor doesnt work.We have to either play Sneyd/Kelly or Kelly/Connor
Shaul may miss the Catalan game so i expect Connor will move to Full Back if Kelly is fit.
That half back combo with Connor at full back should suit us better as an attacking unit.Too many times Shaul receives the ball and the attack dies.
There are several players that need to up their game Sneyd,Shaul,Talanoa Mini, and still not convinced about Griffin as a centre, although he has had a couple of decent games taking the ball up he is one dimensional just doesnt see when to pass the ball and his try scoring record is dismal.
Hats off to Dean Hadley.Worked his socks off.By far our best forward again..Love it if we could find a Murdock Masilla type second row to complement him.
Going to be a tough season for us on current form.

Whilst i dont agree with everything Seb posts he has an opinion and i have to say in this case he is spot on with that post

Not as good as we think we are and battling just to get in the top 8 now.

Cant keep having these performances where we barely turn up. Injuries havent helped but we keep being told the squad has so many good young players that we should be handling it better.

sorry, is it August and Ive missed 5 months?

Said before - what’s the point of banging on about local players but winning just more than you lose
We had a mass of local lads under Agar at one point
It’s when we have local lads playing in the GF after finishing Top 2 that we should be making a lot of noise
I’ve also said the Academy needs a total shake up with kids working on skills 15-20 hours week
We might cut out the missed tackles errors

I just don’t buy the local players bit .
The Club all week have sugar coated the loss of Watts with talk of local talent. Fair enough if they are quality and winning you games . At the moment we have a lot of “Hull” lads in the side , but are they going to win us Trophies? Masi has been announced and heralded this week , much like Tommy Lee was when we got rid of Danny Brough . Matongo may be one for the future, but a bit a pressure has been dropped on him with the timing of the announcement!
If the Club has some money to spend, and cap room it needs to be spent if a player is available, or offer a fee for a target.

Did you follow your Uncle WIZEB'S advice?
See, some of us are aware we can get beat any time, at any place.

If Kelly is back next week is it time to Give Sneyd a rest?... I'm pretty sure he is trying too hard to do too much... (and its affecting all aspects of his game)

Hows the tyson wilson brothers coming on,mrs b said they were future stars,aren't they ready yet.?