[quote="MadDogg":14epgohy]I understand that Warrington are putting faith in Hayes and Leyland but a little surprised that they're not linked to Marc Sneyd - would be a great foil for Williams.[/quote:14epgohy] We can't win can we? Buy ageing stars 'ha look at Warrington, will they ever learn?' - put faith in youth 'stupid Warrington not signing proven OAPs'

[quote="ratticusfinch":1auukbbr]We can't win can we? Buy ageing stars 'ha look at Warrington, will they ever learn?' - put faith in youth 'stupid Warrington not signing proven OAPs'[/quote:1auukbbr] I wasn't calling Warrington stupid at all. If anything not making a move for someone like Sneyd or by replacing Drinkwater with an experienced overseas half seems further evidence of a change in policy. Historically, I don't think this would have been the case particularly given the potential for it to be a good combination with George Williams.

[quote="rubber duckie":d12v04gg]There’s already pressure on Tai with Lindop Ratchford Johnson and Wrench! I’m not sure how McD can add any worthwhile competition to that position. Can he play prop?[/quote:d12v04gg] He wouldn't add competion he'd take that spot immediately, the guys a freak and would be a massive strike weapon for us. But Lewis from what i saw and heard about is a bit of a Tank, like you said could be a gem of a signing. But i'm not sure if we'd actually be in for any of them, only time will tell

[quote="MadDogg":31xzo4xd]I understand that Warrington are putting faith in Hayes and Leyland but a little surprised that they're not linked to Marc Sneyd - would be a great foil for Williams.[/quote:31xzo4xd] Thinking we might go with Dufty at half back this year as 1st choice with Cai Taylor Wray getting the no 1 jersey.

[quote="Sparky1967":3e9c47p2]Thinking we might go with Dufty at half back this year as 1st choice with Cai Taylor Wray getting the no 1 jersey.[/quote:3e9c47p2] I seem to recall reading that he played 6 as a junior but he stood in at half for one game in 2023, at home against Leeds (loss), and I'm pretty sure that he was a flop. Also, too soon for Taylor-Wray.

[quote="Or thane":2u8hnk9m]He wouldn't add competion he'd take that spot immediately, the guys a freak and would be a massive strike weapon for us. But Lewis from what i saw and heard about is a bit of a Tank, like you said could be a gem of a signing. But i'm not sure if we'd actually be in for any of them, only time will tell [/quote:2u8hnk9m] Lewis?

[quote="Velcro Boots":qtogvycn]Lewis?[/quote:qtogvycn] Yeah Loghan Lewis, the player i replied to rubber duckie about.

[quote="Or thane":31xlnfax]Yeah Loghan Lewis, the player i replied to rubber duckie about.[/quote:31xlnfax] Ah i was trying to think of someone from wire with the name Lewis... to early for me

Warrington will run with Williams and one from Leyland or Hayes as half back. Whoever gets the first go will presumably depend on how Hayes has gone in training post-injury, but Burgess was very happy with him as first-choice last year so I don't expect that to change. Dufty will be full back; I'd expect Taylor-Wray to play 8-10 first team games and be first understudy to Dufty.

[quote="just_browny":ti809u73]Warrington will run with Williams and one from Leyland or Hayes as half back. Whoever gets the first go will presumably depend on how Hayes has gone in training post-injury, but Burgess was very happy with him as first-choice last year so I don't expect that to change. Dufty will be full back; I'd expect Taylor-Wray to play 8-10 first team games and be first understudy to Dufty.[/quote:ti809u73] Agree with this, I am expecting Hayes will be first call going into start of the season barring any injury concerns but expect Leyland will be pushing for that spot. Dufty at full back all day long but Taylor- Wray will surely get some game time same applies to Lindop.

Apparently Alfie Johnson has been hugely impressive in training and is way ahead of where Sam and co expected him to be. Will be interesting when he gets an opportunity.

[quote="Matt King's kitten":3od53ioa]Apparently Alfie Johnson has been hugely impressive in training and is way ahead of where Sam and co expected him to bew. Will be interesting when he gets an opportunity.[/quote:3od53ioa] Great. I love a bit of good news. Looking forward to the Widnes game now Winter is over.

Salford lost the least of all SL clubs last season - they are just in trouble because they don't have a wealthy benefactor. Where would we be without M&M? rather than trying to cherry pick from their carcass, wouldn't it be better if the clubs got together to try to work out a plan to keep them going as a viable SL club pending some meaningful outside investment? If we don't start looking at the bigger picture we might not have a professional game to support soon, they could be the first of many dominoes to fall.

Fair enough….they can have Ratchford

[quote="Crosswire":bfl8px1z]Salford lost the least of all SL clubs last season - they are just in trouble because they don't have a wealthy benefactor. Where would we be without M&M? [b:bfl8px1z]rather than trying to cherry pick from their carcass, wouldn't it be better if the clubs got together to try to work out a plan to keep them going as a viable SL club pending some meaningful outside investment?[/b:bfl8px1z] If we don't start looking at the bigger picture we might not have a professional game to support soon, they could be the first of many dominoes to fall.[/quote:bfl8px1z] Didn't they do that with the £0.5M early cash injection / emergency loan? Salford must have known about this cash flow crisis well in advance but still managed to sign Chris Hill, Bullock, Esan Marsters etc. Plenty of clubs would like central financial assistance to gain entry to/remain in Superleague. Clubs with bigger underlying support bases (Bradford/Widnes) and well run clubs like York. Maybe Salford need to accept they are a Championship level club in terms of finances.

Apparently salary cap dispensation for players signed from Salford. I hope we are picking over the carcass.

[quote="Wires71":2lwn9zmm]Apparently salary cap dispensation for players signed from Salford. I hope we are picking over the carcass.[/quote:2lwn9zmm] There is a caveat to that though it will only count for this season so any players signed will have to be implemented into the cap if signed for more than one season.

[quote="karetaker":ax9106cg]There is a caveat to that though it will only count for this season so any players signed will have to be implemented into the cap if signed for more than one season.[/quote:ax9106cg] Ah, so which is it? 1. Players signed with contracts > 1 year will count on 2026 and beyond cap. 2. Players signed with contracts > 1 year will count on 2025 and 2026 and beyond cap.

[quote="Wires71":2gfxwi8d]Ah, so which is it? 1. Players signed with contracts > 1 year will count on 2026 and beyond cap. 2. Players signed with contracts > 1 year will count on 2025 and 2026 and beyond cap.[/quote:2gfxwi8d] That’s the line I found in the post. That's because if dispensations are to be approved they are only likely to remain in place for this season only.

[quote="karetaker":14hog20y]That’s the line I found in the post. That's because if dispensations are to be approved they are only likely to remain in place for this season only.[/quote:14hog20y] I don't mind 2026 cap implications as we have players off contract at the end of 2025 and we can plan for that.

There is another meeting of all clubs this afternoon.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... s-30781540

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... s-30781540

I can't help thinking the problems at Salford ,which are not new, should have been discussed before expansionist London was forced back to the Championship.

[quote="ninearches":nyhpn08c]I can't help thinking the problems at Salford ,which are not new, should have been discussed before expansionist London was forced back to the Championship.[/quote:nyhpn08c] Yes indeed. Great post. Another RFL masterstroke. Relegate a team in an expansion area whilst keeping a team that is very close to being bankrupt. Oh and leave the issue dragging on to within 3 weeks of the start of the season.

[quote="ninearches":1xco9fzv]I can't help thinking the problems at Salford ,which are not new, should have been discussed before expansionist London was forced back to the Championship.[/quote:1xco9fzv] We that was the point I saw. 2 days after the fixtures were announced, Salford cried broke. They purposely, imo, held out so it was too late for the rfl and the img grading to have an affect on 2025 and guarantee they remained in SL despite the issue.