i've had a look this morning, theres also someone on there that says they're surprised that we're being linked with him, he's not one our level signings, and has been injury prone/fitness issues up until the start of last season.

On form, yes Jones was better than Currie in that year. Significantly so, and his team got to the Grand Final. Whereas we finished 4th in a two horse race. So yes, based on the impact of each of them in that season, Jones was better than Currie.

Currie has since developed back towards the player we know he can be, and Jones has faltered at two different clubs.

This isn’t necessarily comparable to the Hughes Holmes discussion. Neither have has outstanding seasons, neither have had particularly dreadful seasons, neither have had/had to recuperate from a significant injury and neither have changed clubs on recent years. They have both plodded along in the same team churning out the same performances.

Re: Johnstone, I don’t know what his year looked like in 2019, but it’s safe to assume he missed a large part due to injury. Making his selection for GB unlikely. Grace in 2019 was, in my opinion, unlucky not to tour. He was in the back up squad of I remember correctly. However Handley had an exceptional year and was probably preferred due to his more robust physique.

And Jack Hughes is under contract. My point was we have one of these style players, who is already under scrutiny for his contribution to the team. Would another one add a significant attacking threat to our team?

Holmes will be a replacement for Jason Clark. Whether that means we're going to move Hughes to 13 I do not no however I know if it was me moaning about signing a 28 year old workhorse on a free who's been on fire this season to replace the mighty Jason Clark I'd be hung, drawn and quartered by some on here.

We paid Tyrone Roberts 300k a year a few years ago. There is literally no risk to this signing, lets all relax.

Of course, Ducky has gone a bit over the top but I do have some sympathy for his basic message. We have to enjoy this season as you never know what is round the corner.

https://twitter.com/AaronBower/status/1 ... 01249?s=19 https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... ngId%7E%7D

https://twitter.com/AaronBower/status/1 ... 01249?s=19 https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... ngId%7E%7D

Quote ="karetaker"https://twitter.com/AaronBower/status/1393165182722101249?s=19 https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... ngId%7E%7D'" Castleford need to convince Truman to sign a contract extension with them (IF they can), otherwise he will leave on a freeby at the end of next season. With the money they can get get for him currently then it makes their decision very difficult i.e Damned if they sell and damned if they don`t.

Quote ="karetaker"https://twitter.com/AaronBower/status/1393165182722101249?s=19 https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... ngId%7E%7D'" Castleford need to convince Truman to sign a contract extension with them (IF they can), otherwise he will leave on a freeby at the end of next season. With the money they can get get for him currently then it makes their decision very difficult i.e Damned if they sell and damned if they don`t.

Aside from turning down the offers they must surely be talking to him about extending. If that was going well there would of been some news by now me thinks. But like you said dammed if they do dammed if they don’t, as hard is it for them not lose him they must cash in I guess the good thing is another club is also interested so the fee can only go up.

2022 centres - Peter Matautia and Keenan Brand.

Wow, honestly I can't see how we won't win the lot in 2022! Meanwhile saints will have the best 2 centres in the league IMO if they sign King.

Honestly, I may as well just become a saints fan, in fact the very first saints fan with the correct number of toes, fingers and thumbs if they sign King! I still wouldn't bother with redvee though, like a whole flock of rubber duckies on there!

Although my attempts at guessing scores shows I know nowt, I’m still willing to bet that at least one of those will not be a first choice centre for us next season (fingers and everything else crossed).

I don't think you can rule out Ratchford playing Centre if we keep Ashton.

Barry Peters and Andy Currier would be more of a threat.

Steady! You could join Winslade and I on our Wish You Were Here inspired Sud de France road trip.

Mamo going to Cas

[urlhttps://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/castleford-tigers-jake-mamo-warrington-20633968.amp?utm_source=leeds_live_newsletter&utm_campaign=rugby_league_lve_newsletter&utm_medium=email&__twitter_impression=true[/url

We've seen quite a bit of movement since the last post on this thread. Players still not extended:

Greg Inglis - Suely going
Tom Lineham - Going (according to that MEN article)
Blake Austin - Surely going
Chris Hill - Huddersfield rumours - played well this season, I'd extend.
Jason Clark - Surely going
Jake Mamo - Cas rumours - One of our better players this season, hope he stays.
Sitaleki Akauola - Surely going
Danny Walker - Need to keep him, still only 21
Samy Kibula - Surely going
Matty Ashton - Injury cloud but a short-term deal makes sense
Nathan Roebuck - Good potential, surely extend.
Riley Dean - As above
Eribe Doro - As above

As it stands, we'll need a new half (hopefully Williams), a winger, and at least one prop if Hill goes. We'd need some squad players too but maybe we can give academy players a chance for a change.

Incoming;
Castleford

Confirmed
Peter M
Oliver Holmes
James Harrison (?)

MEN seems to think Bullock is already confirmed.

Can’t think why I forgot him!

Wouldn’t argue with any of that. Hill is a funny one, I would definitely give him another year, but he may prefer a longer deal on less per season, so depends what else is out there for him. There doesn’t seem to be too many props around.

On Walker, assuming there is no NRL move for Clark he could be around for another 6 years, I assume Walker won’t wait that long for a first team spot. I’d expect him to sign a new 2 year deal, but where his long term future lies is probably tied with Clark.

got to say, wasn't a fan of walker when he came in, he's doing a bloody good job this year, whilst he's not at clark at his best levels, he's getting to be very very good in a different way, his kicking game as well is a very handy attribute.

I agree with this, apart from I have to confess that I was a bit of a fan when he first came. This was mainly on the basis of potential and attitude (standing up and rattling Hill) rather than witnessing the kind of performance level that he gave last night.

Never knew he had a kicking game in him either so a bonus. I was also impressed with his after match interview when asked about the most enjoyable aspect of the performance. It could have easily been about him getting a start playing big minutes and scoring...but no hesitation he said Doro scoring which says quite a bit IMO

Walker must be the most improved player of the season. I have to admit I was a bit dubious when we signed him. I thought we were just falling for him based on one performance where he was fired up against his hometown club. Happy to be proven wrong though, there is far more to his game than cheeky scampers from dummy half, and he seems to enjoy learning and improving each week. I won’t worry quite so much whenever Clark is missing now.

Walker is growing on me, he was really good last night, but can he stop the massive foot plant indicating his intentions before passing the ball.

Walker went through a spell where he was thrown around like a rag doll in defence. He seems to have learned to play above his weight.

Has all the attributes to be a great hooker, hopefully he was the patience to have a few more years as our back-up.

On the basis of his last few performances, we can afford to give Clark a bit more rest in matches.