To be honest I totally forgot about Walker...

Sorry but couldn't resist! www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/n ... t/?ref=rss Is this what Franny meant by more "Loan Deals"

Sorry but couldn't resist! www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/n ... t/?ref=rss Is this what Franny meant by more "Loan Deals"

Is Platt still on the books? I know there were big rumours circulating about him going to Salford, but don't think i have seen anything official?

If Southernwood has gone to Whitehaven what's the situation with Jay Rossi and Jobe Murphy? Are they still here? In the squad? Ready to play?

Salford have said that they want to sign him but the deal has been held up due to their financial issues.

I think Murphy is, he signed a new deal, so unless he refused to transfer he will/should be still here. Was training with 1st team squad last year.

I doubt Ben Evans would have signed on loan to sit outside the 17. He could do that at Wire, at a better side without the need to travel.

Cummins said we signed him in a support role and isnt going to be playing every game, they'll be checking him out in pre. I dont think he'll be a regular fixture at prop for us, especially if we manager to land another experienced fella.

Kearney
Purtell
Blythe
Lulia
Foster
Sammut
Gale
Nas
Diskin
Langley
Whitehead
Bateman
Donaldson

Olbison
Heath
Scruton
A.N OTHER

Suspect that is right. There are bound to be injuries amongst the props though, and Ben will be higher in the pecking order here than he was at Wire, so I reckon the thinking is right and suits both (or all three) parties.

Mentioned in league express that once new ownership sorted at Salford this week they'll move for platt. Been rumoured as part of a swap deal for sidlow for a while but first time I've seen anything in print. Also Hudds making announcement about mason tomorrow. Maybe we'll get some movement on another prop now. Although if platt does leave does that mean we could get someone to replace him as well as the prop mentioned by FC. Given we've cover in centres replacing platt with a 2nd prop would make squad balance look a lot better.

I'd take Sidlow and Mason. They'd give us the depth we're lacking at the moment. Platt's a very high earner apparently so his moving on would free up some cash. If he does go I hope Purtell gets the all clear. Walker is too slow to cover centre nowadays IMO.

That's pretty much what I was thinking. Add mason and sidlow to squad at expense of platt and we look stronger IMO. Blythe would be primary cover at centre with whitehead and young lad, Roberts?, as backup.

Mason and Sidlow would be a colossal step in the right direction.

Ambivalent about Platt other than the backline having almost no cover whatsoever if Purtell is going home.

That's key IMO. IF Purtell has to retire then we have scope to get an overseas forward so we would probably want to retain platt. Looks like Purtell has been taking part in pre season which is promising and believe he was due some test results around now so maybe we'll have a better idea soon.

If we signed two Props with SL experience, we'd be looking a lot more likely for a serious tilt at the 8 in my opinion. The squad is going to have to be small but we need the key positions covered if we want to be competitive.

Think oliver roberts was back rower and sam wood was centre? not sure

do not want platt to leave if honest - good worker, good attitude and capable of high's plus versatile back.

Mason and sidlow is good but will then feel we could do with anther 3/4 possibly one that can cover full back. as a serious injury to sammut or gale and kearney moves meaning a massive change around.

Sam Wood - Centre
Olly Roberts - Second Row

Hmm I would like another prop in but not at the expense of Platt. Found some real good form last year and we need that this season. Chipped in with a lot of tries too.

I could live with losing Platt if it means we can get the pack looking strong enough for a SL season. We have options at centre in Lulia, Purtell, Blythe, Walker and Whitehead plus youngsters.

If we have the opportunity to relieve his wage off our cap, I think it would be the right call.

Surely it would just mean kear at FB, which many think is his best position, and Blythe coming in?

Two of them kids have only just turned 17 and Medley said they weren't physically ready to go on loan in the Championship let alone play SL.

This is the real fear for me. We have 3/4 very promising back rowers who are able to do real damage on the edge but if your props are losing they will get dragged into the middle both to defend the ruck and to drive it out which would be a terrible waste.

Paul Medley re Naugton Wood Roberts:
We don’t want them exposed to an environment that they might not quite be up to physically.
“Our aim is to get them playing Super League in a couple of years’ time and we’re going to put them on a programme of development through Tom Clough, our new conditioner.
“To do that they need to play in their own age group and be comfortable.
“We don’t want them to be playing against men and getting bashed about in the Championship, meaning that their bodies spend more time repairing than growing.”

I don't think we will. I got the impression that Sammut was given dispensation because of the uncertainty over Purtell.

Sammut was given dispensation regardless of purtill was due to clubs circumstances.

I would move kear but liklihood is we will lose more than one player at once - kear,bk,gale and sammut all had a month out consecutively admittedly it would be bad luck to lose two of the four quickly but I think it could be a reality.

Also looking at giants boards and they mention Mason as redundant or sacked (allegedly) and even hints at going to court - so may be a cheap temporary option before he moves postal address

I see Kear as more of a full back than a winger so he'll probably get his chance to play there with injuries to BK/Gale/Sammut.