Just read the interview with Salford's Paul King and he's hopeful that they will get an offer of investment through today to avoid any fire sale.

[quote="RockNRolla":2b60wkfs]Just read the interview with Salford's Paul King and he's hopeful that they will get an offer of investment through today to avoid any fire sale.[/quote:2b60wkfs] I guess it would depend on where the investment is coming from and if any due diligence is required

Jackson Hastings unlikely to stay at Newcastle after this season, could we not make a move now? He is of course as British as they come...

[quote="UllFC":2w774rkn]Jackson Hastings unlikely to stay at Newcastle after this season, could we not make a move now? He is of course as British as they come...[/quote:2w774rkn] Still quota though isn't he?

[quote="Hasbag":1wxhwrbw]I don't mind Shorrocks. He's a ball playing forward and could be a decent interchange for Asiata. Agree with Dave that I'm not sure we do exactly 'need' him but if he is available and we can fit him in while still picking up a centre and hopefully a half, then I'd welcome him gladly. Asiata is likely to pick up knocks here and there so we need a solid replacement and Shorrocks plays the game more like Asiata than somebody like Fash does.[/quote:1wxhwrbw] You mean he doesn't make an average of 3m per game?

Cross deal up in the air, potentially Wire bound.

[quote="FC Callum":18pppsks]Cross deal up in the air, potentially Wire bound.[/quote:18pppsks] Did think it’s gone a bit quiet on that, last week Shaw and DT said it was likely to happen but in the past few days they’ve not mentioned Cross to Hull when talking about Salford departures. I thought it would be Saints in for him but not surprised if Wire are in, you’d imagine they’d be able to offer him a lot less money to balance out relocating to Hull. Was really hoping we’d get that one nailed down and have a quality non quota centre for 3 years or so and add a bit of pace to the backline.

[quote="DSJ1983":nl6a1q0h]Did think it’s gone a bit quiet on that, last week Shaw and DT said it was likely to happen but in the past few days they’ve not mentioned Cross to Hull when talking about Salford departures. I thought it would be Saints in for him but not surprised if Wire are in, you’d imagine they’d be able to offer him a lot less money to balance out relocating to Hull. Was really hoping we’d get that one nailed down and have a quality non quota centre for 3 years or so and add a bit of pace to the backline.[/quote:nl6a1q0h] I was surprised it was Wire tbf, well stocked with centres unless King is moving to back row. Shame if we have missed out.

Where is it that he's going to Wire?

[quote="FC Callum":2e88h8fh]I was surprised it was Wire tbf, well stocked with centres unless King is moving to back row. Shame if we have missed out.[/quote:2e88h8fh] I reckon a few clubs will be waiting to see if any salary cap dispensations are granted. Without that Hull was likely in the driving seat for Cross, but if clubs can get relief from the cap I imagine most clubs would want him, can play centre and wing would be handy pick up. We’ve heard it a thousand times with Salford but saw Paul King earlier mentioning that they’re hoping to get a takeover deal agreed today. Can see this dragging on and on for a while, what if they say they’ve got a deal agreed in principle with promised investment are the RFL likely to give them a bit of breathing space to get it done? I’d be wary because they said the same with the council stadium deal last year but if there was a free for all ‘fire sale’ with salary cap/quota dispensations they simply won’t be able to field a side. It would be a tough decision for a competent organisation, but can see the useless RFL letting it drag on hoping for the best.

[quote="Blackandwhitebigdog":tdzwvk4c]Where is it that he's going to Wire?[/quote:tdzwvk4c] I thought you said it was a done deal?

[quote="DSJ1983":1iacrss5]I reckon a few clubs will be waiting to see if any salary cap dispensations are granted. Without that Hull was likely in the driving seat for Cross, but if clubs can get relief from the cap I imagine most clubs would want him, can play centre and wing would be handy pick up. We’ve heard it a thousand times with Salford but saw Paul King earlier mentioning that they’re hoping to get a takeover deal agreed today. Can see this dragging on and on for a while, what if they say they’ve got a deal agreed in principle with promised investment are the RFL likely to give them a bit of breathing space to get it done? I’d be wary because they said the same with the council stadium deal last year but if there was a free for all ‘fire sale’ with salary cap/quota dispensations they simply won’t be able to field a side. It would be a tough decision for a competent organisation, but can see the useless RFL letting it drag on hoping for the best.[/quote:1iacrss5] a 'deal in principle' wont cut it as thats what they used to get this far as stated by most journos there needs to be money in the bank King stated there may be a deal today but if not they have till tuesday 21st or they will sell players asap

[quote="ComeOnYouUll":1a39u2le]I thought you said it was a done deal?[/quote:1a39u2le] It is what I am told.

I wouldn't be that bothered if we don't get Cross. He's a decent enough player and would improve us short term, but he's not really good enough for where we want to get to and we don't really want another average player on a 3 year contract. I'd rather give Litten a run at centre and keep our powder dry, someone decent always becomes available mid season.

[quote="Mr. Zucchini Head":5q0txeuz]I wouldn't be that bothered if we don't get Cross. He's a decent enough player and would improve us short term, but he's not really good enough for where we want to get to and we don't really want another average player on a 3 year contract. I'd rather give Litten a run at centre and keep our powder dry, someone decent always becomes available mid season.[/quote:5q0txeuz] I’d agree if we had a quota place available, but there’s little to no chance a homegrown centre will become available mid season IMO. Think Cross will surprise a few people if he comes here or does go elsewhere, the more you look at his stats and factor in that he’s a late bloomer he could still improve further. Hopefully we’ll still get the deal done, if the deal has stalled it’s likely because other clubs are waiting to see on the next salary cap vote, it was said that out of the two possible changes, quota changes are most likely rather then both and that would work in our favour.

[quote="UllFC":1vrsbzs3]Jackson Hastings unlikely to stay at Newcastle after this season, could we not make a move now? He is of course as British as they come...[/quote:1vrsbzs3] Think the reason why they changed the quota system was to stop this loophole. It’s hard to keep up so not 100% sure but as far as I’m aware playing for England or not he’d still be a quota player. He’s not fed trained and wouldn’t qualify on residency either.

Cross deal off. He didn't turn up for the meeting

Disappointing if we don't pick anyone up from Salfords January sale .

[quote="B0NES":135mnjh5]Disappointing if we don't pick anyone up from Salfords January sale .[/quote:135mnjh5] Reality is we’re probably the least desirable club in the competition for someone based in Salford to join. Even if they joined one the West Yorkshire clubs wouldn’t necessarily have to relocate. The only thing we had going was potentially a decent amount of cap space but if there’s a dispensation on that we’ll unfortunately be bottom of the pile.

[quote="B0NES":1munaj88]Disappointing if we don't pick anyone up from Salfords January sale .[/quote:1munaj88] It may be that nobody does. Seeing a few Salford fans on twitter seemingly quite confident that good news is due within the next few days. No idea if it's based on and truth or just hope, and they're all rather cryptic about it all. They may not yet even sell a single player if the takeover/investment has come to fruition.

[quote="Irregs#16":1erdk0o8]Cross deal off. He didn't turn up for the meeting[/quote:1erdk0o8] As I said above, I won't lose any sleep. Centre is a problem though. I'm willing to give everyone a clean slate and just see what happens, but if I'm honest I'm not expecting Chamberlain to offer very much, and expect Hardaker to be solid but unspectacular. I think the one player in our squad who could potentially give us some real x factor at centre is Litten, and even he is coming off a big injury and isn't experienced in the position. I have heard it mentioned in a few places that Rapana is being considered at centre. Moy has blown everyone away in pre season by all accounts and I think they want to get him involved as much as possible.

[quote="Mr. Zucchini Head":du5ahrfp]As I said above, I won't lose any sleep. Centre is a problem though. I'm willing to give everyone a clean slate and just see what happens, but if I'm honest I'm not expecting Chamberlain to offer very much, and expect Hardaker to be solid but unspectacular. I think the one player in our squad who could potentially give us some real x factor at centre is Litten, and even he is coming off a big injury and isn't experienced in the position. I have heard it mentioned in a few places that Rapana is being considered at centre. Moy has blown everyone away in pre season by all accounts and I think they want to get him involved as much as possible.[/quote:du5ahrfp] My hope would be we see Rapana in the centres by end of the season with Moy at full back. Just don’t see anything in Litten at all to think he’d be a success there in attack or defence. Not sure how Westerman has done pre season but seemed highly rated.

Is there anyone of note worth a look in the championship as a low risk pickup at either centre or half back? Can't say I've seen too much of the championship over the last couple of years, or could we have a look at someone like Ryan Hampshire (unlikely and unsure if he's better than some of the young lads) as a sort of experienced squad cover.

[quote="Yippee try yay":3ohmyb75]Is there anyone of note worth a look in the championship as a low risk pickup at either centre or half back? Can't say I've seen too much of the championship over the last couple of years, or could we have a look at someone like Ryan Hampshire (unlikely and unsure if he's better than some of the young lads) as a sort of experienced squad cover.[/quote:3ohmyb75] What's that Morgan Smith fella up to at Sheffield

[quote="FC Callum":3spxorrg]My hope would be we see Rapana in the centres by end of the season with Moy at full back. Just don’t see anything in Litten at all to think he’d be a success there in attack or defence. Not sure how Westerman has done pre season but seemed highly rated.[/quote:3spxorrg] I agree with that centre is a huge problem for us If we had a pack that could get on top of teams it becomes less of a problem but the lack of strike and pace in such an important position is alarming. Po pooed when i said Chamberlain would be a starting centre but is look odds on now he will.