The very minute after the hooter at swinton we we're promised definitely no more play offs and that automatic was the only option, a simple yes or no answer does our signings up to now have us in the automatic places?

No - I don't see us having strengthened enough to win the league.

Elliot Hall is a solid signing that will improve us in the backs and give us a recognised quality full back something we've been missing for two years.

Knowles is well regarded and will no doubt do a job for us. I see him as a direct replacement for Ruan.

The other two do not inspire confidence Hey hardly played last year and bringing someone out of retirement is never ideal, we lost Storey and we haven't picked up a new centre I can only see the play will be to play Hall there or Misi - while I admire Misi for his dedication, he is in a place now where he should be a bit part player, not the major focus. We seem very light in the backs I think we only have 2 wingers and 2 centres on the books. We lack any form of a punch in the forwards I don't feel the two we've brought in are going to be anything more than "solid" and are not going to set the division alight with tackle-busting runs or great offloads.

Its been proved over 3 seasons now that Horne has no plan B if were not dominant in the forwards he is lost and has no other way of playing. I know I keep coming back to it but after we defeated the Cougars 2 years ago they took stock and went hard on recruitment we lost in two finals and rewarded failure, I personally think the side we had when we lost to Town in the final was better than the side that lost to Swinton, we have gone backwards not forwards.

Other teams seem to be recruiting better - you cannot be critical on Bookface you have to be a happy clapper.

Very good and well balanced assessment, it's like zombies on facebook if they get in your head or bite you then you become one of them! If your honest or question the top brass you are villified, we absolutely are not stronger currently than last year and i do believe the league will be harder this season. Once again we're looking at 3rd despite the promise of no more play offs

Don't forget you need to go every week and also have played previously to have a valid opinion

The seasons launch and the bluster spoken on the night are a smokescreen to another failed campaign, every fan in that room will have been conned into thinking 'we have got it right now and this is our year' these nights are designed to sell season tickets and nothing more! I've been to so many of these only to be left robbed at the end of the season, if people are happy with false promises good luck to them.

But Carl is a great guy (who totally didnt abandon the club when the club was in financial trouble) and Richard Horne is a tactical genius with a track record of winning finals and a solid tactical knowledge.

I am also from Mars!

My take on it all is this, the second half of last season we were the second best team in our league but the first half left us at the bad half of the play off system. Again. Starting the season with the same team that finished the last is better than we have been in the number of years (Out of all the players who have left only really Storey is a miss for me), but does highlight how we are reliant on a few key players, mainly Burns, Johnston and Tali. We paid a heavy price for losing the first 2 of those for most of the opening half of the campaign. We also have Boas from the start this year, Knowles is an excellent signing for me, on Thursday he looked fit, strong and mobile. The other 2 I didn't get a close look at but could go either way, so a risk.

I expected more turn around in the front row this close season, that for me has been the biggest disappointment. I also think we need a centre, I am imagining Misi might play there this year and allow Hall to play at 1, which for me would see both playing in positions which better suit their skill set. I know neither are spring chickens but defenders won't want Tali and Misi running at the them from the centres over 80 minutes. I was actually expecting another signing announced on Thursday, they have reported a squad of 24 but only announced 23.

This season comes down to the first 6 weeks for me, start like last year and we play catch up all year. Win them all and we need to do what Keighley did and double down

A fair assement Jemmo - I also think were lacking a centre still and some more midfield oomph but what do we know

Is Ben Howe still with the Dons or has he been released?

He hasn't been announced, however he was training with the squad before the launch event