The truth geneally is predictable.

well done fido, predictably b4c bit hard on that bait and that is the truth!!!!

Problem with that scenario is that this years salary cap spend is likely to be based on income generated from season ticket sales. So it will affect recruitment. Next year, once new owners have an idea of income levels from walk up support, it probably won't affect recruitment. Problem is if we have a bad year on the field next year and walk up isn't good which in turn affects next years cap spend. Then downward spiral starts again.

Not really convinced by Foster. Excellent goal kicker and great finisher close to the line, but he doesn't work hard enough for me, doesn't take the ball in enough. Prefer Ainscough & Kear.

Find this post curious TBH. I find it hard to see where we should be turning our nose up at Foster. Especially given Kear's fitness record last season.

Yet Karl Pryce has managed a career, despite not being able to kick.

I'd sign Foster if the money was right. He's got good skills, is a great goalkicker and has his best years ahead of him. He may not be the quickest, strongest or most elusive but he's as good as anyone else we have on the wing.

Can see where you're coming from but, to be fair, I'd suggest that salary levels will have been pretty much set already for the first year, all be it with a little 'wiggle room', no doubt. I would imagine it would be regarded as part of the initial 'investment' or start up costs. In exactly the same manner as OK wouldn't wait to see how many diners he got before kitting out his restaurants, you certainly can't wait until tickets are sold to sort out your general aims for the season or to begin recruitment, as indeed we haven't. Having low aims would only impact adversely on sales anyway, so it would be self defeating, imo. Though whether lower sales means there will be some cut backs is something we'll have wait and see I guess, and there has already been talk of, "a smaller squad than last year", I think from FC in the T&A, which appears to cut across the earlier, "we'll spend up to the cap" from OK at the forum, though I appreciate that "smaller" doesn't necessarily have to mean "cheaper".

I agree that we need a 'good season'. Though, without external support, I guess we always need a good season so there is nothing really out of the ordinary in that to my mind, we're never more than a bad run away from the 'downward spiral' at the best of times as some of the support can be very fickle.

I remember him kicking a ball 60-70mtrs from a drop out at Odsal in an Academy game a few years and he was a useful goal kicker then!

Yes it was FC in the TnA and he basically said the first team squad will be 25 players - if they all sign up! Which translates into they know exactly who they want for that 25, he/Stuart hav epreviously mentioned props so I would imagine that is where the uncertainty is about reaching the 25 as they want it to be. Naughton Woods Roberts are not part of that, but theres been no statement about the likes of Southernwood Murphy etc tho others such as Ball and Aitchison do seem to have been released.

5 props in a squad of 25 players!!! Not much room for other players. The other teams in the league will know how we are going to play - up the middle, all the time, predictable, boring and easy to counter. Not very original, done it, seen it and won but then the quality of the props were exceptional. Fast and faster wingers.

Who won't see any of the ball as their forwards get battered off the pitch. Done it, seen it and won nothing.

5 props in the squad assumes 4 in the 17 and one to cover for injuries. That would seem reasonable given likely level of injuries amoungst those players. Remember some of the make shift props from last season (Elima and Sibbit) aren't there any more so the cover is even more thin on the ground. Scruton's fitness is a big doubt anyway.

5 props is wafer thin.

At the moment we have 2 plus a rumour about Walker and the possibility of Langley moving to prop IF Donno and Addy sign which will mean our backrow would be the youngest and lightest in SL. I forget where but there's been mention that we are looking at loan signings of SL fringe players. Considering where we're coming from this is an understandable option but I think we need a minimum of four plus Donno and Addy.

Our game has become increasingly power based so if we cannot compete in the middle we are going to find it tough - so agree with the above 5 players capable of playing "up front" in the squad in a minimum unless you have some guys out wide build like the proverbial brick outhouse and with more pace than Bolt!

hopefully hes had the same surgeon as Disko in which case this season we should see him really put in performances that justify his experience - and wage.
Dont forget FC has mentioned obrien going out on loan, so not part of my squad list of 25, we need 5 props more than 3 hookers.

We saw last year against bigger packs like Hull and Catalans how much we struggled. With an even lighter pack it'll be harder still. At least 3 more props needed IMO. Losing Elima takes a lot of mongrel out of the pack. We won't miss his indiscipline but we will miss the belllringing tackles.

Agree with that, and we'll definitely miss Elima next year.

I like to think that as we told Joseph that he was not needed for this year then FC had a plan to replace him with another player. But......

As there's not many OOC props, I though Joseph would have been offered a new contract (even if he was to be used as a backup). If the rumors are true about offering Ainscough a minimal wage, i'm starting to think we are planning on spending way less than the full cap this year.

Another way of looking at it would be that Ainscough's agent is making these comments on his behalf to try and squeeze more money into his contract. I know Koppy and Hargreaves used to car share with Ainscough, so he will be out of pocket if he's on around same money as last year.

After the signings that we have made to date, i'm not expecting that many 'surprises' before the start of the next SL campaign. I just don't think we can afford it?

I like Chev, but PROP? Come on. He's been crocked playing Centre and Second Row, I don't think his body can cut it at prop.

Langers is a different scenario, he should be prop, plays like a prop and COULD be the mongrel in he pack we will miss from Elima going

We will get bullied in most matches if we don't make some good forward signings.

Scruton's fitness is still a doubt. Langley's done alot better recently but still has bad injury history. Although if he plays less minutes at prop it may help.

Hargreaves and Kopzcak need to be replaced, if we shift Langley then that could be counted as 1, but then we need to sign another. We also lost Burgess, but a fully fit Scrutes would make up for that. Might not have the same impact but hopefully wont drop as many balls.

Stuart Duffy said regarding their recruitment plans for props "we are talking to players AND CLUBS" which I take to mean they are looking at loan signings as well as contract signings. suggestions as to who that might be are on the original post squad list.

the shortage of news from the club is evident in the TnA's article yesterday, an ex player turning to union.

[url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbulls/9999139.Bradford_Bulls_looking_to_tempt_Saints_winger/Talks with Foster, contract not enough for Ainy?[/url

"Jamie Foster held talks with Bulls coach Francis Cummins yesterday over a deal that could see him spend the 2013 campaign on loan at Odsal."

"The popular winger’s (Ainscough) contract expired at the end of the season and he has admitted he may be forced to turn down the offer on the table from the Bulls, saying: “I’m not sure it’s enough to support the three of us (his girlfriend and son).”


Tough one, I'd like to keep Ainscough, but I think Foster is the better player. If we've offered a contract to Ainscough and at the same time talking to Foster FC might be trying to secure both within his tight budget.
Can't blame Ainscough for trying to get the contract he needs for his family, I hope its with us, but if not I hope he gets what he needs/deserves elsewhere - never gave less than 100% last season.

Ainy or foster??

Ainy for me without doubt.

The only benefit I can see with foster is his goal kicking, we already gale as no.1 kick with sammut as a fairly good back up!

I agree with all of sibbits comments, will never give up the chase if the opposition break through(Ryan mcgoldrik- hull at home)

For me he led the way from the players with his "save the bulls" under vest every game constantly jumping around for joy all the time! Anyone would think he was a Bradford lad! Don't think we would get anything near them qualities from foster!

If we could have both, great! But don't think that is realistic so it has to be ainy.

Wearing t-shirts is not enough in days like these.

Don't think there's much difference quality wise between Ainy and foster. They both have strengths and weaknesses to their games. Think it just comes down to finances. Foster is a loan signing so presumably some portion of his wages would still be paid by saints, I'd guess were offering Ainy the same amount that foster would cost us on loan. In short term this is sort of saving we're going to have to make while we get back on an even keel.
If it ever gets to stage that we are reliant on foster kicking then think well have bigger problems to worry about than a few missed conversions as that implies that both our halfbacks are out of action.