If we fail to keep Walker and Greenwood, plus we don't know about Tilse and Algood, and with Green already gone the pack looks very light.

I think T. S. needs to find us 2 great big Aussie grunters and J.P. to unearth 2 young developing stars of the future.

No pressure then!!

But it's Hudgell & Co that have got you into this mess through pi$£ poor recruitment and cap management.



The five you mentioned all had good seasons. They're only really accountable for their own performances, why should they sacrifice earnings or playing at a higher level because other people failed to do their bit?



I admire those like Lunt & Blair who are staying on and prepared to battle next year to get Rovers back up, but I don't think those who decide to leave should be vilified for doing so.

Hessle Rover. I wouldn't call Thomas Minns dross, especially as it's rumoured we will keep him. However, if he goes to another club, James Greenwood will be a big loss IMO.



Reckon Cockayne, Clarkson, Donaldson, Marsh, Mulhern and Shaw will be retained. Ideally, we need Tilse and Mantellato to stay. Lunt, Lawler and Blair are reconfirmed along with last year's academy debutants.



Leavers:



Green's gone. Boudebza terminated. Sio, Thornley, Walker and Kelly all wanted elsewhere and if they can get a good gig and more money, then good luck to them. Campo should and will retire. Larroyer, Horne, Salter, Dixon and Allgood should also be leaving as none are really good enough on last year's showing.



Reckon 9 or 10 new faces are now required for next season.

That was a bit of a sweeping statement on the whole team. But I wasn't thinking of Minns when I wrote that. Now he is one id keep.

Looks like Lawler has penned a deal to. That's also one I'm happy to keep.

Aye, it is pretty simple.



Players that want to stay or join have to convince the club that they will provide value, relative to realistic alternatives.



Players that the clubs wants, it has to convince that it is an attractive employer, relative to realistic alternatives.



Demanding players stay on as penance might be a useful way for some people to vent, but as a retention tool it is a chocolate teapot (or sticklebrick dildo, or whatever).



What works is what matters. Moral indignation won't.

I think you will find the Championship more entertaining and a tougher division than perhaps you might imagine.

The consensus has been that inthe Qualifers SL teams have the advantage of playing more intense rugby over the season. But it seems that Championship teams can enter the 8s more refreshed and less busted...if they manage the season properly.

Despite my team Leigh winning promotion, I'm hoping the Ch continues to improve and really push the lower SL teams to improve as well

Promotion is a realistic, if not easy, aim. All depends on the squad now, and it's just doubled in size with Blair signing - Lunt can now play the ball to someone.



Another aim is a good cup run. Why? Not for the cup itself, lest it distract promotion hopes, but is the only way to test the teams ability against SL opposition mid way through the year.

Bang on. The cup shouldn't be dismissed next year. I'd hope and pray for a decent run, against lower tier superleague clubs. A good practice run before the main part of the year.

It's a bit disingenuous of hudge to bemoan players wanting to move on whilst at the same time using relegation as an opportunity to bin those he doesn't want and, no doubt, reduce contracts for those you want to keep who can't get a gig elsewhere. He does, of course, have previous for public petulance against players who are moving on to better clubs so it's to be expected but still poor IMO

I get where you are coming from Jake, but we all have people who have been employed with CV's that aren't backed up by their work ethic or ability, and by the same token we have those grafters who go under the radar and churn out good stuff constantly. Rovers are in a position where they can get rid of the bulk of the former, whilst struggling to retain the latter. Yes Hudge will use any means available to keep the better players and why not.

So basically, Hudge = good. Congratulations, you are blessed with Red & White genes and will go forth and prosper in later years. Or, Hudge = bad. Commiserations, you are a West Hull soap dodger who will consider dead rat a "treat".



Or something like that.

Don't even think about what they do to their grannie's...