Decent enough signing,gives us some squad depth. Doesn't address the weak areas of the squad though and only a loan (though I suppose if there's no recall clause it's not much different to a 1 yr permanent signing).

Maybe reading too much into it but notice all press reports describe him as a centre as opposed to a 2nd row/centre. Maybe a clue as to cummins' plans.

Well as we've already got Bateman and Whitehead for the 2nd row and we're a bit light in the 3/4 it makes sense to have him as a centre.

I've put him as centre in the OP list as RF2 says theres Bateman Whitehead plus Olbison and Walker, now Blythe as an option. Sensible insurance policy if Purtell isnt given the green light in December.

Ok, so the Bulls starting line up for 2013 so far looks something like this then?

(Gaps left were we don't have an "official" player for that position rather than just a makeshift)

1. Kearney
2.
3. Lulia
4. Blyth
5. Kear
6. Southernwood
7. Gale
8. Scruton
9. Diskin
10.
11. Whitehead
12. Bateman
13. Langley

Subs:
14: L'Estrange
15. Olbison
16. Walker
17.

It's not massively weaker than last year, is it? The only worry is the lack of props and cover in the half backs.
From those OOC players who've not confirmed we've allowed to leave it'd be nice to be able to hold onto all of them especially if Sammut HAS been allowed dispensation for an additional length of time we'd be closer still to this year's playing strength.

Separated at birth.

Vin Diesel


Matty Blythe

According to T&A a decison will be made sometime in Dec with regards to Purtell. As i've said before i wish Purtell all the best but personally i'd rather keep Sammut, especially now we have Blythe on board for next season.

That would give us balance in the halves and back line and hopefully Ainscough can re-sign.

Manoukafoa is a crucial signing and if we can bring Fielden in the pack looks fairly solid.

happy with the Matty Blthye signing. Now we need to get Donaldson, Ainscough, Addy and Nas resigned, plus Sammut if its true about his dispensation. We're then just a couple of props (Fielden + another young prospect like Blythe on loan) away from a competitive 25 man squad squad IMO.

If our props next year are Scruton, Nas, Fielden plus one other loan signing we will finish in the bottom 2, particularly if the majority of your second row options are 23 and under. We need Nas, Fielden plus 3 more.

Depends how good the signing is I guess and we could move Langley to prop. I'd also like 3 new experienced sl quality props, I'm just not sure they're available or affordable.

Scruton, Nas, Fielden, Good new signing (or 2 Id agree), McAvoy (to be eased in if ready), and Langley might be as good as we can expect for front row options and if all stay fit will be competitive, if not world beating I'd agree.

It is definately the most important area of the squad to fix as it is today.

3 and Langley is a decent set of props for a team looking to crawl into the top 8, although another experienced head and Langley remaining in the back row would be better.

We had Hargreaves, Burgess, Manoakafoa, Kopczak, Scruton and Joseph all figuring at prop at some stage last season with Langley filling in occasionally too.

We started with 5 bona fide props. I'd say we need at least 5 to avoid being utterly stuffed by injury in 2013.

Not bothered about losing Pryce or Joseph. Pryce for all his natural talent isn't the sort of bloke to give 100% all the time, I expect that's why he's been let go. Joseph isn't good enough and we'd be better giving a run to a young player with more of a career in front of him.

Happy with the Blythe loan.

We need to actually sign McAvoy before we can begin easing him into the first team

indeed, but a conversation only about our current signed up props for 2013 is quite a short one.

Do we need props? In the modern game the scrum is not contested and the hooker does not need the support of the props to "hook the ball". If it's the need to utilize props to return the ball after the kick off or to stop the opponents props. Surely a better option would be fast, agile, strong to run rings round the props on the return and multiple players in the tackle.

Marsh and Mellor signed on 2 year deals by Widnes leaving King wing unsigned.

Finally someone who sees things the same as me.

They can't tackle you if they can't catch you.

Spot on my friend.

If we sign Nas and Fielden, which in my view is the best case scenario we will still only have 3 SL props, 2 of whom have barely played in 2 years. The other possible options are players not wanted by other clubs or lads from our own academy who would be in their debut season. If Langley is going to prop then with the exception of Walker who has played well but is hardly bomb proof all our other second rows are 23 or under.

In the circumstances we are in and with the potential standard of recruit available we need a minimum of 5 props plus Langley, plus McEvoy (sp). A young backrow and a shortage of props is a recipe for regular 50 point beatings by May.

But it is only early October . . . .

Sign no props in October, repent in May

The props we should have are Scruton, Nas, McAvoy, Fielden (hopefully) and then 1 or 2 more SL props. The back row looks solid now with the youth of Whitehead, Olbison and Bateman and the experience of Langers and Walker. We also have Donno and Addy if they stay.
Don't forget Matty Blythe who can play in the second row.
For me, we need 3 more props and Nas needs to be retained, a stand off, and a winger. It is then that we can start speculating over a top 8 finish. We need to see what our finalized squad looks like.

Props For 2013:

Scruton?
Nas?
Fielden?
Langley
McAvoy?

2nd Rows:

Whitehead
Olbison
Murphy?
Donaldson?/Bateman

LF's:

Bateman/Donaldson?
Addy?

Not too shabby tbh. Could do with maybe 1 more experienced Second Row and 1 experienced Loose with 2 Loan signings.

Don't forget Chev Walker in the second row and also Langley is a loose, not a prop, but may be utilized as a prop next season, who knows? For me, at least two more props but think we are sorted for the back row now.

Oh aye forgot about Walker haha. I would use Langley at prop. He hardly passes anyway so use him where we need him