Re: Rumours 2019 : Fri Oct 19, 2018 9:40 pm  

I simply don't think that we have genuine ambitions to challenge the top sides. NH enjoys getting column inches with negative soundbites like the game is withering on the vine and foundations of sand plus handbags comments about other chairmen. However nothing solid and positive about OUR club and direction - marquee signings, more investment in back room, Peacock's achievements and aims of our reserve grade and plans. It would be refreshing to hear exactly what the Board see us as because I don't see anything other than survival and a couple of Derby wins on our wish list for next year.

Re: Rumours 2019 : Fri Oct 19, 2018 9:51 pm  

Keiththered wrote:

We have announced three signings. That’s as many as most clubs I think.

We have released at least 9 players maybe more depending on Blair and T Carney plus Heffernan and J Carney gone and Quinlan injured. Our only signings so far from other qualifier clubs.

I think we will have some signings up our sleeves but they need to be big names like when we had the set your alarm announcement a few years ago.

[Mild Rover]

Re: Rumours 2019 : Sat Oct 20, 2018 10:02 am  

In previous years the benefits of leaving recruitment later have been mentioned on occasion. If you’ve allocated your budget and somebody comes available, you miss that chance. Those players are in a weaker negotiating position because they have fewer options, and if you can save a couple of months wages for a small handful of players that frees up money to be spent elsewhere.

On the other hand, you’d like players to join preseason training sooner rather than later, especially those most important to the playing structure, and we’ve equally heard that delayed recruitment owing to the uncertainty of being in the 8s has been problematic. Also, for all that they both turned out to be excellent signings in their own ways, the announcement of Tickle and Vaivai was a sobering moment - gambles can pay off, but that’s all you’re maybe going to get as we get closer and into 2019.

Ateotd, Sheens seemed to have pretty clear idea of what he needs in his recent radio interview, and while getting it may be difficult there are advantages to a slower, more considered approach. Although we released 9, some were definitely from the homegrown fringes of the squad and will be replaced by academy graduates. With 3 new players already confirmed, it is only maybe 3 or 4 more that we need, and we need to get them right. My hope is that a couple are the type that make people sit up and take notice, as statements of intent - no idea where we find them, unfortunately.

Re: Rumours 2019 : Sat Oct 20, 2018 10:40 am  

Jesus Zook why so negative?

What are you expecting next year. We are not going to go from promotion, to surviving to top 4 in 3 years are we. However idealistic that sounds it’s not realistic. The aim of the club is to continue growing year on year and improving year on year. We aren’t a rich club, we aren’t one of the top 4 and fishing in the same small pool of players makes it difficult. Regardless of who we sign this pre season the biggest signings we have done in years is to sign up our young talent on long deals, that’s how we will progress but it’s not a quick fix.

Set your alarm clocks folks, massive signing! It’s Willie Mason!! That went well.

Signing names and big players for the sake of a name is not how recruitment is done. Look at Toronto this year achieved nothing. If TS signs players who he thinks brings value to the team then I will trust his judgement not exactly been wrong so far as he. This expectation of unreal signings with the mentioned factors and not forgetting a weak exchange rate nowadays is just pie in the sky ultimately.

Konrad Hurrell is a good signing, but let’s not pretend he’s a susperstar of the game similar to how players of previous years such as Lyon, Ridley, johns etc were when they signed

Re: Rumours 2019 : Sat Oct 20, 2018 10:44 am  

Don’t understand some of the negativity on here. I looked on TS appointment as a new beginning. The aim in the first season was promotion. That was achieved without the million pound game. The aim in his second season was SL survival. That again was achieved without the million pound game. Finishing tenth in the regular season showed progress and I don’t think realistically a promoted club could expect more than that. Who knows what the future holds but I would hope to get into the top eight and therefore show further progress.

Toronto and others before them have shown you cannot just buy success, you need good foundations, a good team spirit and a willingness to play for each other not just a team of individual good players.

I believe TS has a vision of our future and think that his achievements over his first two seasons entitle him to our support and trust in 2019. Time will tell.

[Mild Rover]

Re: Rumours 2019 : Sat Oct 20, 2018 12:39 pm  

I don’t think many doubt Sheens or fail to appreciate what he has helped us do since arriving.

However, taking the next step will be difficult, and in some ways it feels like it has taken us seven years to get back to square one. So, we do have to be realistic, but I think sometimes we’ve managed expectations in a way that has become self-fulfilling. It’d be a lot to ask for us to do a Cas, but surely we can have a crack at mid-table?!

Re: Rumours 2019 : Sat Oct 20, 2018 4:39 pm  

Top 6 of Warry Wigan Sts Catalan Wakey Cas looks nailed on in whichever order.Places 7 to 11 look a bun fight between Salford Hudds Leeds and the 2 Hull sides at present.Always the possibility of a team overachieving or a big side having a poor season but unless these new signings really are top notch then it is really about consolidation for us. The rumours of 2 big name Aussies was doing the rounds last season as long as we stayed up.Just have to be patient. On a side note, got my Poppy shirt on Thursday.Nice bit of kit imo.

Re: Rumours 2019 : Sat Oct 20, 2018 7:20 pm  

Zook Ema's Hose wrote:

I simply don't think that we have genuine ambitions to challenge the top sides. NH enjoys getting column inches with negative soundbites like the game is withering on the vine and foundations of sand plus handbags comments about other chairmen. However nothing solid and positive about OUR club and direction - marquee signings, more investment in back room, Peacock's achievements and aims of our reserve grade and plans. It would be refreshing to hear exactly what the Board see us as because I don't see anything other than survival and a couple of Derby wins on our wish list for next year.

Re: Rumours 2019 : Sun Oct 21, 2018 8:23 pm  

Can't believe I'm reading some of the negativity on here.

I will be honest, I am new to the forum, and with my user name, yes I'm from the Wakefield area, and not Kingston upon Hull.

I am a lifelong Wakefield Trinity fan, but have been married to a Hull KR fan for 14 years. We have adopted each other's teams as 2nd clubs, so have seen quite a few Hull KR games.

Most pundits expected Hull KR to be in the MPG, I didn't. Yes I think the squad needs to be strengthened, but from what i saw in 2016, I would just say, be smarter on big name signings. For me, in 2015 and 16, you had 3, in Kelly, Blair and Campese. When they were all on the pitch at the same time, you were a real threat, unfortunately, that didn't happen often enough.

Unfortunately, it appeared that to accommodate these, it appeared that you had to keep costs down to keep the squad within budget and cap, with consequences in the MPG.

We have shown that you don't have to spend big to compete, but just spend wisely.

Re: Rumours 2019 : Sun Oct 21, 2018 8:24 pm  

Can't believe I'm reading some of the negativity on here.

I will be honest, I am new to the forum, and with my user name, yes I'm from the Wakefield area, and not Kingston upon Hull.

I am a lifelong Wakefield Trinity fan, but have been married to a Hull KR fan for 14 years. We have adopted each other's teams as 2nd clubs, so have seen quite a few Hull KR games.

Most pundits expected Hull KR to be in the MPG, I didn't. Yes I think the squad needs to be strengthened, but from what i saw in 2016, I would just say, be smarter on big name signings. For me, in 2015 and 16, you had 3, in Kelly, Blair and Campese. When they were all on the pitch at the same time, you were a real threat, unfortunately, that didn't happen often enough.

Unfortunately, it appeared that to accommodate these, it appeared that you had to keep costs down to keep the squad within budget and cap, with consequences in the MPG.

We have shown that you don't have to spend big to compete, but just spend wisely.