and replace you next year (only kidding)

Long post, but very insightful and articulate. Many thanks.

I like the "lesson learnt from the failures of the season before" mantra. Let's hope the same lightning strikes twice.

Need to learn from your own clubs mistakes first& never sign a squad like last years if you ever get back in SL.

On paper the backs were pretty good just our half backs were injured or bother it was the pack that let us down really but if the halves had played all season we'd have probably still been in SL

We probably would be....having already signed Addy, Scruton and Clark for next years SL..., food for thought when we are been asked to pay SL money to watch pretty far from SL rugby.

I know optimism is the buzz but the club really do not seem to have learned anything at all. Its just carry on as before and hopefully nobody will notice we are playing Rochdale , Oldham and Swinton...

Unless there is a massive sea change, years of struggle await should we be even able to get back up.

And lets not mention the academy decision...Pearson certainly ran rings round us on that one...

I have to agree with that. I was extremely confident we would not even be in the MPG and that was with Campese, Kelly, Sio, Walker, Mantellato, Green, Thornley, Allgood and Larroyer. All of these Super League calibre. To say we can lose them all, replace with players from Bradford, Wakefield, Doncaster and 4th choice halves from Hull and Huddersfield and just have to turn up with a couple of new players available mid season to secure promotion is delusional. I find it strange that my confidence with last year’s far higher quality roster was mocked yet some are thinking promotion will be straightforward. Fortunately Sheens should have some pulling power but the mountain to climb is underestimated by a lot of fans.

You didn't mention Kieran Dixon.

Once we ended up in the middle 8 I said at the time there was every chance we would be relegated, poor coach, a one legged half, another who was behaving like an idiot, no game plan that used Sio as an attacking weapon etc. With this in mind, and zooks post above have we really lost that much? Best prop and both wingers are our big losses imho, gains are everyone who is here is here by choice, we have a top coach, loads of young talent, no Charlie at full back, team spirit (hopefully) now the tit is radders problem. If we start well our great fans will get behind us and who knows, no doubt it will be hard getting back but after the last 2 years I'm looking fwd to being entertained while we try. Top 2 for me with minns and whoever plays outside him scoring a shed full.

You were mocked for the worst set of predictions in living memory

seriously I understand what your saying regards players but I'd rather have a team that's wants to play for the club with a world class coach than a bunch of individuals who can't be d but look decent on paper

We hear every year that we have brought in players that only want to play for us. Usually that they are young and want to prove themselves or "know the club" like Cockayne. The harsh reality is that quality wins games and promotions. Do you think Leigh or Salford are top flight through players whose ambition had always been to play for them? Take Scruton. He's a solid pro but never stood out and dropped down a level for a reason. Yet now he'll be a success for his desire to play for Hull KR and will help run over packs of Salford or Widnes? I hope so mate. But..

No matter who is in charge you'll find it difficult to get any real quality players to commit to you half way through the season with no guarantee of top flight rugby in 2018 without throwing silly money at players plus they will only be players other teams don't want

The biggest mistake anyone at your club made last year was appointing webster but sheens should get much more out of the players at the club. Next year I think leigh will struggle as they've signed no one of any quality other than stewart plus salford look to be weaker than last season and their coach is clueless. Obviously you'll all be confident of finishing above wakey as chester is useless according to every rovers fan I know