I see Shaul as a full back/winger at a push but we have cover there. I don't think Hampshire would be right for us now but someone in that mould. I did think Gaskell was that type of player and maybe he can still be. Trying to think of a 6/7 that can cover 9 but no one is jumping out at me who might come to use.

We have our utility back in Gaskill I think he will be a Jack of all trades next year and whilst maybe not guaranteed a start when we are at full strength could have a big influence over our season.

We need another halfback as Lino was not consistent at all last season and then we have a bloke who might not be able to cut it in the lad we've signed and Gaskell whose best position is unknown these days (who knows how he will go?). Two props would be nice and a loose forward and a hooker.

You missed out Dear Santa.

Is that a hooker to add to the 4 players we have who can play 9?


Hood
Kay
Bowes
Smith

I really don’t think 9 is a priority.

I’m fairly happy to give Lino/Smith the chance. Lino is a pretty good player (though it’s time for him to step up) and Smith for me is a Miller type player but I’m looking forward to seeing his short kicking game close to the line which he appears to be good at looking at his highlights. Though I’d agree we could do with another halfback and I’d have Gaskell challenging at centre where we literally have only out starting 2 centres which is thin. Gaskell for me could cover fullback too but I don’t see Gaskell as a halfback. He was good at centre though and okay at fb.

Sorry but this is precisely why we struggle. Kay is a winger. Bowes is young and learning his trade, Smith is a halfback and can "do a job" which leaves Hood who is an actual hooker. Surprised you haven't put Crowther in that list as well just because he's had some games there. We can't be classing people as Hookers cos they've played there before. I mean we need a Hooker by trade. Not people who can do a job. Tbf Bowes has looked alright and maybe he will come into his own this season but I still think it's a risk.

Interesting to note both Antrobus and Laybutt are being linked with moves to England.

Antrobus to Leeds and Laybutt to Fev.

If we were looking at Antrobus you would think the Ford link would assist.

I agree with your point but Bowes has had plenty of game time and needs to be able to take a regular position this season.
Equally Kay isn't 'doing a job' any more. He's converted. It's just a question of how good he is. He's no different to Sam Powell who started as a half back.

Kay is not a winger, he's now a hooker. You know in the way that Fifita was once Centre but became a prop. It's not a difficult concept.

Further to that, Kay is actually a halfback if you're going to label player, or at least that was what Trinity signed him as when he was young.

Kay came on in the last game against HKR and changed it into a win.

He needs to be able to but if he's good enough I'm not sure. Maybe he would benefit from a loan like a couple of other young lads so we can see what he's got week in week out against seasoned pros. Kay I quite liked at Hooker but with only three other wingers on the books - one that has been dire and another that has spent half a season out injured, I think we will need Kay for the wing possibly.

True, but he can probably see that there is nothing special there. For me he doesn't look SL, but then neither does Hooley, yet I don't doubts Smith coaching ability.

Laybutt, looks competent, whether he is wort a SL slot I'm not sure.

Murphy
Kershaw
Taufue
Lineham

That's four.

I guess by that logic it makes Jamie Carragher a striker.

I don't mind Kay but again, not sure if I'd want him at hooker for another full season. He did a good job filling in but see post above for my reasoning.

Forgot about Kersh tbf

The key is Lineham, if he returns to some level of form then we are fine on the wing.

So hopefully Kay will be a real last ditch winger.

That leaves, Hood, Kaye, Bowes and at a pinch Crowther. Now I'm not suggesting any of those are world beaters, but none will let you down.

Our strength this season will have to be as a team.

Think we can all speculate of what postions we need to cover but fact is there will always be some postions left a tad uncovered which i guess will be the same with all clubs but you need to hope injurys are kind(surley we are due some luck)or a reserve or academy lad can step up if needed

Indeed, and in truth if this were not the case, no young players would ever break through.

Watched about 25 minutes of Aus vs Lebanon tonight around 40-65 minutes.

I thought Rahme did quite well again against a strong pack. Some good drives and looked useful.

Still think he looks a good option for prop/13 and seen him 3 times now for Lebanon.

Probably won’t be long before we get a few more signings I’d think.

Totally agree with this
Kaye has being a really good acquisition for us and him being able to cover hooker has being a god send
The facts are 90% of his pro career he’s being a winger so while he can cover it……..

He is not a hooker

For Kaye to be our starting hooker along with hood with bowes as back up is utter madness, it was last year and nothing has changed

It is possible Bowes really comes on this season but he’s still only young

What worries me most is we need some more pivots that can give us attacking oppositions
Currently we have Lino and when he’s not injured gaskill as well as an unknown quantity from fev

Jowitt can come up with a play occasionally but it’s not consistent enough

Hoods a fine defensive hooker but he offers little in attack

We’ve no miller and can’t just chuck the ball to Dave any more and him create a miracle play


1, 6, 7, 9 are who create the bulk of our plays
It’s not looking great at the mo is it
Let’s be honest

But Kay is a hooker, he says so and the coaching staff say so.

I agreed with them from the start, still do. In fact I’ll go as far as to predict that this season will be Kay’s most assertive in his careeer. My feeling is that he’s up for it.

I do agree however that in those pivot positions we are a player short, but not 9. We need a 1 that can cover 6 imo.

So I’ll be honest, I don’t agree regarding Kay.

Well once this weekend is over it’s fair to assume that most of the nations we can pick players up from will be out.

So I expect next week to hopefully be quite busy.

Can't remember the exact words but, at the fan's forum, Applegarth said Kay will go into 2023 as predominantly a hooker.

I’d be disappointed if he didn’t.

Salford just signed Sam Stone. That’s a good signing for them and one I would have liked us to be in for.

Maybe makes Elijah Taylor look more likely?

TBF Trojan, if we signed all the players you liked we'd be bankrupt by now