HULL KR: Morgan – My squad is stronger than last year
HULL KR coach Justin Morgan insists the club will start next season stronger then they were in 2009.
The Robins have signed three new players for the 2010 campaign in Bradford's Matt Cook, Hull FC's Josh Hodgson and Leeds youth product Michael Ratu.
But having released experience pros in the likes of Stanley Gene, Makali Aizue, Nick Fozzard and Daniel Fitzhenry, some have questioned the strength of Morgan's squad.
KR remain in the market to strengthen further before the start of the season in February, with Brisbane's Joel Clinton remaining the prime target.
But Morgan maintains he would be comfortable with his present squad, and admitted to being frustrated by suggestions his squad has been weakened.
"I think we are a stronger squad than last season and I can highlight that by comparing the squad this time last year to now," Morgan told the Mail.
"Back then we had four or five players that had never played Super League.
"Even Kris Welham had only played one or two games, so you would have put him down as a rookie.
"Now we have only one or two in the squad who haven't played Super League, but we have a number of people who are pushing for more positions, and I like people who are multi-skilled."
Despite concerns the club has recruited players with less experience than those leaving, Morgan says he has been happy to invest in potential.
And he expects his young stars to push senior professionals at the club throughout the campaign.
"We have recruited a bit on potential yes, but at the same time we are expecting them to be involved," he said.
"Michael Ratu is a very gifted player who has played Super League and has lots of potential.
"Josh Hodgson has had a bit of a taste of Super League and has been in and around a full-time environment before, so he know what is required.
"Matt Cook is the most experienced out of them all, and then we have brought Liam Watts back from loan and we are expecting big things from him.
"Scott Spaven has come back flying at training and Scott Taylor is going to put some real pressure on the back row to be involved at some stage.
"When you compare this time last year to now you feel more satisfied than if you gloss over it, as perhaps some people have been doing.
"I am confident that our squad has more depth than it has in terms of experience and it has improved this year."
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by jimmy, east of hull
Monday, November 30 2009, 9:29PM
“i noticed earlier today there was a long post regarding rovers it went into detail about the sponsors ,accounts and other matters some which seemed true some possible mischief it also mentioned mr hudgall not may i say i a good light nothing liable but bringing in to question the true picture of rovers financial position ,it has been taken off could this be because the poster was near the truth and mr hudgall did not like it or was it hdm who dont like anything negative about rovers being talked about and frightened that for once they may have to do some digging deeper into the spin coming from craven park. just a thought”
by 1 league title in, 50 years
Monday, November 30 2009, 8:44PM
“hammered you dont feel stupid you are stupid clint newton signed 3 years ago.”
by We'll get hammered next season, Rovers,Caravan Par, Hull
Monday, November 30 2009, 8:19PM
“Just thought i would have a look to see if Rovers have signed any big players... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.. oh my God i feel so stupid afer all those wind ups ive made, They have just signed Clint Newton.
Beware FC Rovers still are the emerging club in the town of Hull. Im off the catch the next ferry.. oppps.”
by terry, Ausrralia
Monday, November 30 2009, 11:41AM
“Sorry slam just got into port put your name by mistake in prev., comments TEZZA of OZ”
by 10-5 is a plank, swamp man
Sunday, November 29 2009, 11:19PM
“soon be double giro day 10-5 haha hope you have joined the new rovers share a shirt club haha, quarter of a mill a season haha bye bye rovers merry xmas its you last in super league haha”
by still losing money, fact, won nowt never will
Sunday, November 29 2009, 11:02PM
“ha ha ha rovers small club, great signings ha ha joke club joke support we will see this season, and remember doesnt matter how well you do, you still gonna lose a quarter of a mill hahaha 2011 franchise dont think so hahaha”
by 10 5, wembley
Sunday, November 29 2009, 10:51PM
“hammerd is now a high powered manager with a power company he has gone to bed early cos its signing on day tomorrow hull fc est 1998 fact”
by 10 5, wembley
Sunday, November 29 2009, 10:26PM
“go on then hammerd where will dull come in sl?if your that confident why dont you have a bet???ive had a look at your squad and im not impressed all you have done is king out obelly in thacknacker out fitzgrandad in thorman out longjohn long in and some bloke from salford the rest were already here last season and were cr>ap then so whats new?hull fc est 1998 fact ps altogether now dulls grandad we love you grandad we do hahahahaha”
by fc in decline skint club in west hull, hull
Sunday, November 29 2009, 10:25PM
“hammered any news of any more redundancies this week, 4 down how many more to go ,”
by We'll get hammered next season, Rovers,Caravan Park
Sunday, November 29 2009, 10:19PM
“I now have to go around my grounds to make sure everything is secure with the security,and then going to bed to sleep next to my super model wife who is half my age.good night peasants”