Vastman at it again If you don't ask you never know or am I wrong

Saints moved in pretty quick so I would guess either Murphy or his agent didn't particularly fancy Wakefield as a first option for some reason.

All else being equal choice between club currently residing in championship , that may not get promoted with a squad largely unproven at the highest level v grade a club , that’s been won either challenge cup or grand final about 5 times im last ten years ok this year they’ve struggled with injuries - I know where I’d have gone

Given that steve was looking at players for the 2025 season this time last year - does he already have a player or players that he’d like to bring to the club in 2026

I think it's probably better that we let Mills answer the questions.
I'm sure Jamie is capable of deciding which questions are OK to ask too.

How has recruitment been effected now that league status is decided by IMG scores? Has it become easier or harder to attract and sign players when we don’t know for certain if we will be in Super League next year.

On a more generic point and not just thinking about Trinity. What is your opinion on IMG? Is it good for the game? What criteria would you add/remove/change to improve it?

You'd think that was patently obvious and thus doesn't require a question.

Still, it's a free country and if people wish to ask pointless questions then fine.

FWIW I'll tell you what I think happened and I'm 99.9% sure I'm right.

Saints were interested in Murphy from the moment he burst on the scene, and it was no secret that they wanted him. No surprise, he has Saints player written all over him.

However, Murph decided that Easts was where he wanted to go.

Unperturbed, Saints probably gave him the option that should it not work out in Oz they would take him in a heartbeat, and probably offered him a draft contract. Something I seriously doubt Carter was able to do, or does that need explaining as well.

Move one year forward and it's not really worked out for Lewis, all the same he's not disgraced himself and he will have learned a lot, so his value has not diminished.

So, why would his agent even bother shopping him around. He has a deal at Saints waiting and ready. Despite a bit of a lull over the last year or so, Saints remain along with Wigan the two premier clubs in SL, almost guaranteeing some medals. It's the perfect storm.

Even if he had been put on the open market, why would he be interested in us? We may be on a bit of a roll right now but we ain't Saints, not even close. Likewise I suspect that Saints, who are a smart club, will have made it very clear that the offer was take it or leave it and that they wouldn't enter a bidding war. So I doubt Murphy was shopped around anyway, it was as they say, a done deal.

If you need someone else to tell you all that, then you need to concentrate harder or be less naive.

Sure I've just burst a dozen egos, but it just seems so obvious to me.

Your question is ?

Have the new regulations restricting the number of games a player can play in a year had any influence on your recruitment strategy ?
How do you see the new regulations impacting squad sizes and the rotation of players during the season?

With regards player welfare/training facilities, how do we know compare to Super League clubs? Are there plans to improve/introduce more facilities in the near future?

In regards to the comments made by Vastman above, when I spoke to Ste Mills this is the exactly what he said to me - he will answer anything and everything that is asked of him, that is the whole purpose of him coming onto the Fans Forum podcast. Whether you believe he has the standing within the club / capabilities to do so is your opinion.

Thank you everyone for taking part, hopefully you enjoy the episode tonight

I'd like to ask if we ever had a quality no.9 on the radar, or weren't we interested in 'strengthening' that particular position??

IMHO (Vastman quote) he hasn't got a question (FWIW another Vastman quote) he jumps on other peoples quotes to try to make them look small. (FWIW) you've all cottoned on to him now as you can see in some of your replies (FWIW). Just write your own drivel Vastman & let people say what they want to say (IMHO) this would make the forum a lot better. I'm not saying don't put your point across but (IMHO) there's no need for the stuff you come out with (FWIW)

Quote ="vastman"You'd think that was patently obvious and thus doesn't require a question. Still, it's a free country and if people wish to ask pointless questions then fine. FWIW I'll tell you what I think happened and I'm 99.9% sure I'm right. Saints were interested in Murphy from the moment he burst on the scene, and it was no secret that they wanted him. No surprise, he has Saints player written all over him. However, Murph decided that Easts was where he wanted to go. Unperturbed, Saints probably gave him the option that should it not work out in Oz they would take him in a heartbeat, and probably offered him a draft contract. Something I seriously doubt Carter was able to do, or does that need explaining as well. Move one year forward and it's not really worked out for Lewis, all the same he's not disgraced himself and he will have learned a lot, so his value has not diminished. So, why would his agent even bother shopping him around. He has a deal at Saints waiting and ready. Despite a bit of a lull over the last year or so, Saints remain along with Wigan the two premier clubs in SL, almost guaranteeing some medals. It's the perfect storm. Even if he had been put on the open market, why would he be interested in us? We may be on a bit of a roll right now but we ain't Saints, not even close. Likewise I suspect that Saints, who are a smart club, will have made it very clear that the offer was take it or leave it and that they wouldn't enter a bidding war. So I doubt Murphy was shopped around anyway, it was as they say, a done deal. If you need someone else to tell you all that, then you need to concentrate harder or be less naive. Sure I've just burst a dozen egos, but it just seems so obvious to me.'" If you listen to Craig Harrison on Matt Shaws House of League podcast 4th Sept, he explains, why saints. You need Spotify to listen to the link I have used, but should be able to find it easily. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0D5n31fx4w6hetzwOtP8li

Quote ="vastman"You'd think that was patently obvious and thus doesn't require a question. Still, it's a free country and if people wish to ask pointless questions then fine. FWIW I'll tell you what I think happened and I'm 99.9% sure I'm right. Saints were interested in Murphy from the moment he burst on the scene, and it was no secret that they wanted him. No surprise, he has Saints player written all over him. However, Murph decided that Easts was where he wanted to go. Unperturbed, Saints probably gave him the option that should it not work out in Oz they would take him in a heartbeat, and probably offered him a draft contract. Something I seriously doubt Carter was able to do, or does that need explaining as well. Move one year forward and it's not really worked out for Lewis, all the same he's not disgraced himself and he will have learned a lot, so his value has not diminished. So, why would his agent even bother shopping him around. He has a deal at Saints waiting and ready. Despite a bit of a lull over the last year or so, Saints remain along with Wigan the two premier clubs in SL, almost guaranteeing some medals. It's the perfect storm. Even if he had been put on the open market, why would he be interested in us? We may be on a bit of a roll right now but we ain't Saints, not even close. Likewise I suspect that Saints, who are a smart club, will have made it very clear that the offer was take it or leave it and that they wouldn't enter a bidding war. So I doubt Murphy was shopped around anyway, it was as they say, a done deal. If you need someone else to tell you all that, then you need to concentrate harder or be less naive. Sure I've just burst a dozen egos, but it just seems so obvious to me.'" If you listen to Craig Harrison on Matt Shaws House of League podcast 4th Sept, he explains, why saints. You need Spotify to listen to the link I have used, but should be able to find it easily. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0D5n31fx4w6hetzwOtP8li

Quote ="lifelongfan"If you listen to Craig Harrison on Matt Shaws House of League podcast 4th Sept, he explains, why saints. You need Spotify to listen to the link I have used, but should be able to find it easily. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0D5n31fx4w6hetzwOtP8li'" You can just click that link and play Spotify in the tab it opens, it's the same as Heritage Podcast, you don't need Spotify downloaded. Quest. Out of all the guys you wanted to sign which one did you think was going to be the hardest to make? Was there anyone you went after but for whatever reason couldn't work out a deal?

Quote ="lifelongfan"If you listen to Craig Harrison on Matt Shaws House of League podcast 4th Sept, he explains, why saints. You need Spotify to listen to the link I have used, but should be able to find it easily. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0D5n31fx4w6hetzwOtP8li'" You can just click that link and play Spotify in the tab it opens, it's the same as Heritage Podcast, you don't need Spotify downloaded. Quest. Out of all the guys you wanted to sign which one did you think was going to be the hardest to make? Was there anyone you went after but for whatever reason couldn't work out a deal?

I just presumed, with it being a subscription thing.

My Q
Is your system patented ?

My question and I understand that names can't be mentioned, but:

Are any of our signings super league dependent. Should we not be in the 12, even though we all suspect we will be. How many of the new players will not come and is there a plan to replace them as we may have some holes to fill. I understand this is quite a negative question, but it would be reassuring to know we have a plan b, players wise.

Episode 176
Fans Forum with Ste Mills

Lee & Jamie are joined by Erin & Mike to round off the last Fans Forum of 2024…and also by special guest - Ste Mills!

Proudly sponsored by Our Agency and Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation

On all major podcasting platforms worldwide

Really good to hear him talk.
Answered the questions very honestly.

I've said it before but he's one of the most valuable people in the club.

Maybe get Vasty on in the future, I'm sure he could answer all questions related to the club?

[q Great Q that .As I have said and got shot down for, it wait and see time for me with 6 and 7 but the 9 is the weakest in the team Our number one choice 9 brings nothing to the attack in the Championship as a running threat and is game is built more on defence ,and you need mo're than that in S L and from what I have seen from one the young 9replacement at present not good enough for S L yet

I'd put good money on us bringing in a 9 for 2026, but I think Hood, Doyle and Smith will do a good job next year. My guess is the long term plan is for Doyle to start and Smith to come on and cause havoc. But they might not be ready by the end of next year - only gametime will tell.