Nanyn was only ever going to be a squad player, we already had 3 centres ahead of him, not couting Purdham who would probably have played there ahead of him.

I have no real issues with us signing squad players, what concerns me is our lack of signings to strengthen the real weaknesses in our first choice 17. We need a top notch halfback, either a 6 or a 7, and we need a big strong running prop forward, we could probably also do with another quality wing/centre too.

Who's this?

Our squad was massively depleted and he never even got near the team. We wasted money on a player that never played. Simple as that. The idea that signing players as squad players, never playing them and getting rid of them, while paying them a salary, is a joke. He was miles off SL standard and always will be.

Surely the priority is getting a decent centre and prop or have I missed something ???

Even with injuries we never got to the stage where we had 3 recognised centres out. We took a gamble on him, but it wasn't the end of the world. Our current problem is that we're not bringin in a great deal of quality into a side that's short on quality.

With what we've released I'd hoped we could fit in at least a prop, and one good three quarter, someone like Bridge who can play standoff would be a good fit. Wakefield have signed prop Shane Tronc from the Cowboys - he's the sort of player I'd have liked us to sign, not going to set the world on fire but will give us some front.

I think Nanyn had already gone before the injuries really began mounting up following the win at Hull KR. As you say, it was a gamble that a player with a phenomenal scoring record at a lower level, both tries and goals, could step up with the extra training at our level but it didn't work out; that doesn't mean anyone should be slaughtered for giving it a go. A stranger decision IMO was to send Grayshon out on loan in exchange for Sam Thompson.

My biggest concern is that we lost three vastly experienced and influential players in McLinden, Hill & Paul a year ago and still haven't recruited one comparable replacement since.

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Here is the rub, and the nub of the problem. We probably don't have the cash and are hence doomed, unless we do a Wakefield.

Grey, Grey my world is grey.

Why would we ever have needed more than 3 recognised centres? Its hardly a specialist position like stand off or scrum half - an Academy lad can do a reasonable job there for free.

Maybe on the other pages www.nwemail.co.uk/raiders/news/e ... rPath=home

Maybe on the other pages www.nwemail.co.uk/raiders/news/e ... rPath=home

"Quins chief Blanchard was quoted in League Express as saying: “We spoke to him relatively recently and moved quickly to seal the deal. We were conscious we needed to strengthen the squad in some crucial positions and hooker was one of them.”

Seems our recruitment is not over yet.I wonder what other gems have yet to be revealed?

It's a pity that Brett McDermott isn't 10 years younger. I reckon he could have been a big hitter in SL.

yes we do need to strengthen the team in crucial positions but Hooker is not the first priorityIMO. The guy may be better than Kaye but he isnt going to be on the pitch that much to make a significant improvement to the team. Is he gonna come up with a few tries as well, coz someone better had. What has happened to the centre from Sheffield, would have thought they would have announced that by now

Well yes, I guess we were spoilt between 2005-8, but just one top class player in exchange for three surely isn't asking that much? If we'd won half of our last twelve league games (after winning two thirds of the first fifteen) we'd have finished in the same position as Wakey with the same number of points. Actually we did "do a Wakefield" for more than half the season just gone. I'm still waiting, not necessarily for an explanation, but for a solution as to what went wrong. I'm hoping it can be fixed as soon as it broke! Attritional perfomances aren't so unacceptable if you're winning most of the time.

I belive we need a couple of monsters to strengthen our squad and our resolve.

He looks okay from what I've seen of him, but not sure whether he's really got the size for a modern SL prop, I have the same worries about Matt James.

[url=http://www.league.quins.co.uk/news/10472.phpAndy Ellis signing confirmed.[/url

Great news IMO. First positive signing in ages.

Why particularly? The only time I've seen him was in the GF at the weekend. Ball distribution was good and I got the impression that he did a load of tackling (and maybe played the full 80?). But no great sparkle and no sign of a kicking game. He looked a bit on the small side too. So, a workmanlike player, "wouldn't let us down", but I saw nothing special.

You've obviously seen more of him though.

Seen him several times this season and has been the best player on the park. Good reason why he was voted the best player in the Championship. Miles better than Kaye and better than an underperforming Randall too.

This guy is class. OK, i'm speaking from a Championship point of view here but he's been head and shoulders above anyone this year. I have no doubts whatsoever that he can do a job for you in SL. Trust me, this is a good signing.

Quote ="poplar panther"Is it me or are we preparing a bid for a Championship francise in 2012? The squad will be more than able to meet the criteria or is it that Mac has Championship aspirations. The only way we will stay in SL at this rate if other clubs go belly up. Has anybody got any good news? '" Yes we are preparing early for three years in the championship, in which time we will win the thing, building up home support because we have a succesful team, and then bringing the new supporters with us as we embark on the adventure of Super League from 2015 onwards. FWIW I think this is our best signing of the off season so far, I think he will be a great asset next year. Any player that helps Hull KR win the National Rail Cup has to be a good player Source: www.league.quins.co.uk/news/10472.php Paragraph 2

Quote ="poplar panther"Is it me or are we preparing a bid for a Championship francise in 2012? The squad will be more than able to meet the criteria or is it that Mac has Championship aspirations. The only way we will stay in SL at this rate if other clubs go belly up. Has anybody got any good news? '" Yes we are preparing early for three years in the championship, in which time we will win the thing, building up home support because we have a succesful team, and then bringing the new supporters with us as we embark on the adventure of Super League from 2015 onwards. FWIW I think this is our best signing of the off season so far, I think he will be a great asset next year. Any player that helps Hull KR win the National Rail Cup has to be a good player Source: www.league.quins.co.uk/news/10472.php Paragraph 2

I just got an email about renewing my season ticket. It mentions all the new signings and that there with be further additions to the squad.

Ropati and at least one more then

Think this is a good signing and I agree with Listy.

Have to agree with alot of whats been said here. We do need a couple of big animal forwards who dont know how to take a step backwards. We also need a winger in the mould of someone like Matt Banahan of Bath, hes 6' 7" and 18 stone, now someone like that on the winger for us would be brilliant

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As for Ellis. I have watched him when Barrow been on sky,and have to say hes been impressive. he seems to know how to and when to run from DH, good speed and from what i have seen knows how to defend as well.
He got eight trys for the season, so i would be happy with that for us next season.

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And im sure there be another couple signings to come