Well, as I dont want either of those two I'll just have to trust in the source (BBC Forum) being its ususal self.... There is a thread on there today about somebody being "being told about" us moving out of Odsal in April 2010! Thats reassurance enough for me not to take anything from there seriously until I read it elsewhere.

Superb in 05... which will be five years ago very soon, I concede.

Yes I'd agree with that. But he hasn't done a great deal since and I don't think he'd add that much to our squad. Let's not clear out some of the dead wood and then recruit some more!

Quite often players become unexpectedly available close to the start of the season or part way through. Without a quota spot (once Walker is confirmed) our options are more limited but I'd rather pay my £160 a year and see Crookes/Whitehead/Donaldson given a go than see someone like Johnson blocking their paths. I think last year showed that Whitehead and Donaldson should be able to cope with more games this year. I wouldn't object to a good quality 2nd row/Prop signing but let's not rush out and buy anyone.

it basically comes down to who is available. weve got two options as i see it. we spend all available money signing the best available player, even if they arent really an improvement on who weve got, and can then say we've spent up to the cap but get criticised for signing journeymen. this to my mind is option we took in 2008.
option 2 is to sign available players in positions we need and if no-ones available then we dont spend the money. this was last years option. going this way means we have the option to bring someone in at a later date like we tried to with bird and did with rinaldi.

Problem this year is we have cap space avaialable than usual but their arent a great many players actually available. The only advantage we have is that, assuming its made available to the coach, we have the burgess money to pay one or two transfer fees.

My personal preference would be to use all the burgess money to pay a transfer for a young british half we can build around for years, as this appears to be an area where we dont have anyone obvious coming through the academy. The only realistic targets are brough and ratchford and I cant see wakey allowing brough to leave and salford are cash rich following mylers departure so wont accept offers for ratchford.

catch22 really

Wakefield also have the money from the Atkins transfer.

exactly so whilst we have cap space and potentially money available for transfers, If players arent available in positions we need what do we do?.

we either sign players that are available but not in the right positions to strengthen the squad as a whole or keep the cap space available untial someone suitable becomes available. either way people are going to criticise.

Iam worried about next season already, we have no backs and our pack looks at its weakest for many a year. We dont even have a marque player or someone who can create something.

something to bear in mind. whilst weve lost 8 (9 including tupou) only burgess,morrison and semi were involved in the good run at the end of season. if we can sign a decent winger/ and another forward then were not in that bad a shape.

Just say we do sign a decent winger, who will cover him and Sheriffe if one gets injured.

Halley, Sykes or Platt (if he's still here)

I like it!
Welcome to the PT

always been one of the PT

exactly the same players who would have covered last year. we only had 2 dedicated wingers last year ( as tupou never played a part and halley was at FB from an early stage).

however I'd like us to sign 1 dedicated winger ( probably reardon) plus use the last quota spot for a quality who can cover wing.

Eric Grothe (Parramatta) is another name in the rumour mill. 29 year old and has played for New South Wales and Australia. He is quite a big robust winger.

I can't see Reardon being considered a winger - I know he was man of the series for GB or something - but he has no pace left; if he comes I feel it will be as a FB with Halley to wing.

Grothe would be awesome actually. Scored in the GF last weekend. Nathan Hindmarsh was an animal. Mind you we'd never ever be able to get him

Is that you in the display picture? Was I sat in front of you at Hull discussing the Saints score with you?

I'd rather have Grothe than Utai or Walker.

so would I but theres no chance hes coming to SL.

[url=http://viewtopic.php?t=433661Missed out...[/url

Damn!! That`a a bummer and no mistake............

found his level. big fish in a small pond as opposed to a bench player.

danny scullthorpe is all we are getting to replace sam,fair swop that one.We never replace like for like.Look back who we have got for.withers _vagana les shonny ben harris .And we will do the same again!!!!!

Bradford haven't the money to bring in ready made superstars and over the last few years your recruitment has been pi55 poor in bring in average aussies who have a 3 year maximum shelf life.

You need to do what you did in the 90's and bring in good young players like you did with Paul, Hape, Vainikolo, Fielden, Peacock, Pryce etc.

Getting rid of Burgess has given away a major bargaining chip for signing other players so it's back to square one. Kearney is a decent player but L'Estrange, Hall and Walker are just average in my books and if Bradford want to be a force in years to come not just also rans you need to bring more youngsters through whether they be from other clubs or countries.

What do you mean by bring in?

Unfortunately players like Fielden, Pryce and Peacock do not burst onto the scene each year. We do have some talent in the Academy but some are still a couple of years away from the first team. I expect we'll see a few more in the side next season if we only have a few more announcements to make.

Average NRL players often do very well over here.. Carmont? Richards?