I for one really don't understand all the talk of us still looking like a bottom 4 squad next year? I mean aside from the fact we have one of the most highly respected NRL level coaches coming in who has recently coached at the very very highest level in SOO, we have some really experienced SL hardened players coming in to blend with our crop of exciting youngsters. Not to mention we are clearly still going to be throwing money (and a lot of it) at a half back by sounds of things and are still in market for a strike centre, i just don't see the issue? Yes its not gonna go and take us to challenging again but its 100% progress on the field ion terms of what we will be able to field next year and if you look Like for like with the other teams that we want to be challenging to get in front of next year (Cas, Huddersfied, Leeds, Salford, Leigh etc) i don't actually think we are a million miles off, so with a real drill sergeant in Cartwright and a new backroom staff i think there's so much room for optimism next season. Take Salford as prime example ... you would look at their squad and think it was capable of top 6 let alone top 4 but they punching well above their weigh due to good coaching
I believe if we look something like the below next year (left gaps for new signings i think we will end up getting) then we will be there or there abouts challenge ging to get in the 6 which would be a MASSIVE step up on this season.
FB Moy/Walker
WG Briscoe
CE Hardaker
CE NEW SIGNING (Lafai?)
WG Martin
HB Abdul
HB NEW SIGNING (Sullivan?)
HK Cust
SR Cartwright
SR Holmes/Lane
PR Sao/Aydin
PR Ese Ese
LF Asiata
IN Sao/Aydin
IN Lane/Holmes
IN Balmforth/Burouh
IN Chamberlain