Ellis - Leadership & professionalism and a truly world class player. Awesome defensively, and better ball skills than some give him credit for.



Holdsworth - Hopefully will finally provide the kicking game we've so desperately needed for years and with the quick hands and ability to shift the ball quickly should give our outside backs more time and space.

I think (hope) Holdsworth will have the biggest ‘noticeable’ impact on our team, as we have lacked so badly in the halves in the past.

i honestly think having a natural fullback back in the team will have a major impact on the shape and dynamics of our attacking game so for me its shannon(girls name) mcdonnell.

by the way a couple of other players with girls names didn't fair too badly;

Lesley Vainakolo

Stacey Jones

I agree with the natural FB argument, we never looked the same in attack once McKinnon left.



Pat Richards?

We still need to get Holdsworth good quick ball.



McDonnell will be the biggest surprise.

travis burns is in with a shout

Ellis is the biggest name, and on huge wages, so the pressue is on to perform.



However to have a good season it is arguably Holdsworth and McDonnel who we need to perform, as we lacked pace and ideas at times last season.



I also hope for good things from Galea, as it is often the 'less hyped' signings that go well for us, such as Aspinwall last season.

Shannon mcd for me .

We've had a problem at half-back for sometime now so with the signing of Holdsworth I'm hoping he has the biggest impact of all.

Ellis with us fans,but I reckon Holdsworth on the pitch.

A thousand different meanings.

Tend to think Holdsworth, but if Galea can stay fit I think he could be a very good squad player for us. Hope him and O'Meley have a fantastic final year.



Slight thread drift, but right centre worries me a bit with Arundel's lack of game time/recent match toughness/experience. Given our options in the back row, I'd be tempted to put Whiting at centre to start with, or let Crooks pick up where he left off.

In League Express last week Gentle metioned Arundel, Crooks and Yeaman battling for the two centre spots, he also said Horne and Whiting were options but that he'd like to concentrate on Whiting in the back row. It was good to read his glowing comments on Rich Whiting. Gentle said that when RW got injured at the end of the season "our hopes went with him to a certain extent".

I would agree if one area we do look maybe weak would be right hand side with crookes/arundel just due to lack of experience

Spot on, that. Particularly in a play-off type scenario, Whiting's aggression is a big miss. Certainly our coaching staff appear to value him as highly as the supporters. Ogre calls him #fansfavourite on Twitter.

After years of being a brilliant utility man is he finally going to cement a spot? I sure hope so.

our half backs will be under pressure to perform and so they should be. coz we have lacked in that area for an criminal amount of time. i reckon Holdsworth is competent and will improve us on last year but dont know if he had the ability to take us into the top 4. im still waiting to see what Saymore can bring to the team on a consistent basis and im not writing him off just yet. the rest of the team looks good with depth that most teams will envy.

Our next captain IMO

From a personality point of view he'd be ideal. Issue is that he's not in he starting 13. Could replace Tickle as 1st choice back rower in 2014 though.

were not sure yet though are we and number count for nothing , I have a feeling he will be in the squad every week this coming season... would like him to make the WC squad too

It's his birthday on Thursday if you want to send him a sexy card?

Gentle also named Whiting as his 'Unsung Hero' in last month's Rugby League World. He said "He can play any position for me, athough I try to keep him in the second row he ends up playing anywhere. He's an out and out rugby league player and we are a lot better side when he's on the field."

Ellis is massive, can't wait to see him play for us.

Daniel Holdsworth is my selection to have the most impact next year. Liked him when he played here in the NRL and he will help Hull FC reach the top 4 next year. Any odds been posted on this yet?

I think if he stays fit it will be Galea.



Just think Ellis might be a bit of a disappointment, not sure why as he is a fabulous player. He will have to go some to fill Manu's boots.



I hope it's Holdsworth, if he doesnt we will struggle to make a significant impact. Wire in the playoff's showed we lack halfbacks that deliver in the big games.