go on then what's the answer

‘Who else is there?’ is not a strong enough reason in my view to bring a player in, they have to improve things and Gale is done at this level as last year proved. He hasn’t even been particularly good this year in the championship either, to pay a transfer fee for him on top of his no doubt decent wages would be lunacy. And where is the money coming from all of a sudden, i thought there was no magic money tree? Will some else have to depart to raise the funds? It won’t be the garbage ones other teams would want thats for sure.

As for comparing it to signing Liam Finn there is a major difference here. Finn signed for at nearly 32 years old but was playing exactly the same way as he did at 22. He never had a running game as he never had any pace, he’ll tell you that much himself! Thats why it worked, nothing changed for him his entire career. The same can’t be said for Gale. At his pomp he was all over the field, playing both sides, taking the line on and backing up breaks. He can no longer do that and at nearly 35 hasn’t been able to adapt his game. For me it would be more akin to the second coming of Danny Brough who suffered the same fate, sadly he just didn’t have it anymore.

If we are spending transfer fees i’d rather go for a Joe Keyes at Halifax, or a Jimmy Meadows at Batley. Younger guys who have been going well but also with half an eye on the future. Should we drop down these lads could well help us get back up at the first attempt which will be vital. Still its all about opinions i guess.

He may be past his best but he's still got a great rugby brain on him. From what I've seen of him lately it's his enthusiasm thats been missing so maybe this will get him firing again. I've a feeling he'll be quite involved in the coaching as well.

If his attitude is right he's just what we need.
We have talent in the team they are just not able to use it.
If Gale helps unlock it then great. If not, nothing actually lost.

We have no wins and can't score.
It is almost hilarious that some who moan about doing nothing now moan when they do something.

If nothing else he has a kicking game that we can at least put teams under pressure on their line.

Gale has been and done it and got the T shirt at the top level , he’s still got plenty of rattle to cajole and pep the team up , something which is sadly lacking when you see the team in their usual position under the uprights . It plain for all to see that Smith isn’t the lad at this present time to partner Lino, who must be crying out for some sort of consistency in his partner in crime . it’s a no brainier for me if it’s legit

Even if his legs have gone the benefits on the training ground might be the best thing out of this deal. He does at least have a wealth of experience and some leadership skills so he might be able to put some structures in place to at least make it look like we have a clue what we are doing.

Probably the first sensible signing of the season

I heard that Neil Fox was seen at the last home game, maybe he could be our next signing.

He's at every home game.

And he's not a good example as he played to 40 years old and scored two tries for Bradford against the touring Aussie team in his last year. (I was there to see it)

So age isn't the issue. Only fitness.

Neil Fox was a one off ,blokes like Gale don't even come close. Stupid comparison Poptart

How I see it is what have we genuinely got to lose. No doubt Gale is past it, but least he had it. His Rugby IQ will be levels above Lino, Gaskell and Smith. If he can actually get our attack organised and structured he should be playing in a dinner suit and let Lino do what a 7 should be doing. If he comes he’ll have my full support like every other player has, until they don’t put the effort in for the club.

I didn't compare him. Don't have a go at me.

I was just being sarcastic about our current player recruitment strategy and I did know he attended every game.

Last throw of the dice and another example of a we don't really know what we are doing. Absolutely no doubt he could turn any game and provide that general in mid field but why now. The club could have signed him at the seasons start and had the benefit of his knowledge on the field and training ground then

We have swapped players out because we reportedly had no money so the question is wheres the money coming from.
I have no idea if this will work out or not and neither do the club but Gales reputation will not suffer from this experience, and in my view that's a good thing for a talented player.

It will either be an inspired move or it will make no difference (it can’t make us worse)

I know. I didn't think my reply would be so offensive to the Prince but it was just a good segway into the age think.
Maybe I should have said Paul Sykes.

I went to watch Batley last week and he was awful, offered absolutely nothing

At this stage we have nothing to lose. At least we are trying to do something which is a start I guess?

To stand any chance of Luke gale changing our fortune he's got to play behind a pack who are on the front foot and dominating, and therein lies the problem.

When we were first rumoured to be signing him, before the season started, I said no, due to the fact that he has done nothing in the past 3 years at Leeds and Hull but, due to our obvious current ineptitude, I now think it could be worth a shot, as we can't get any worse than we currently are

I think with the pack failing to dominate opposition there needs to be a re-think about freshening the pack up with more strike and trying to ensure it’s best performers are on the field the longest and involved in play the most.

I would start with Bowden and Eseh at props.(Battye and Atoni off the bench).

Hood at hooker (Crowther interchange but also could be used at 13)

Ashurst and Pitts at second row (Tanginoa interchange).

Whitbread at loose forward where he’s played previously on a few occasions and impressed.

Start Tanginoa and drop Ashurst to the bench who’s not been good at all this year and poorly disciplined. I’d also have Hood/Bowes at 9 who are the only 2 hookers at the club. I’m not sure about Whitbread at 13. He would be good there but he’s also our best prop.

I’m not sure the pack is the main problem. A number of games the forwards have done their job and we’ve been camped for many sets in the opposition 10 but it’s the pivots that haven’t unlocked the defences and the edges that have leaked the tries in abundance.

For me the biggest disappointment is Lino. He’s been the constant and he’s had most of the ball most games but he just can’t create anything is the sad reality.

Perhaps Gale could just be the organiser and Lino can trim his game down to simple running opportunities and simple play options.

I agree about Lino to a certain extent but he's trying to do too much.
The opposition know he's the only one they have to defend.
If Gale is on the field it puts some doubt in their mind.
Especially if we play Gale and Lino left and right.

We wouldn't be any worse FIL if they gave You & I a game or two.....

To be fair to Lino, if Gale comes, that will be his 5th different partner so far! Bringing Milnes for 1 solitary game if that's what it turns out to be just adds to the weirdness of this season so far

I noticed there was a lot of 1st teamers playing for the reserves at Wigan the other day, but no Proctor or Atoni, surely it couldn't have done them any harm to get some more game time......?