The same could be said of Kay.
Get away with paying them a low contract, then when it comes to renewal their agent asks for more and we lose out.
Anakin will be next if he is not offered improved terms before the end of next year.

I'm sure JW knows the players he wants and hopefully he will get them. I was hoping, probably naively that there would not be a wholesale change of staff for next season but it looks like there will be.
I'm concerned we are losing senior players like Mathers, Moore, Raleigh and less senior but no less important TT. I don't have a clue about the finances presumably that had to do with some of the leavers but it looks like a team build again for next season.
Clearly Hall and Ashurst are quality, I don't know about Simon but I will assume he fills Raleigh's spot. Just need a fullback now and two explosive props of the same or better quality than Moore and Tautai and the ST may increase.

I think Simon will be a very good signing based on his limited performances for Catalan and will add greater go forward. Need another Tautai type impactive prop though but have confidence in Webster to make the most of the limited finances he's got.

The other two signings are Super League quality so hopefully add strength and quality.

The squad appears to be going in a transitionary period with a coach bringing in those that he wants, as long as it's done with a good pre season I'm fine with that.

Hope Tim Smith signs.

Agree. A priority surely.

Maybe why we have to get rid of a few especially those with big contracts

I get the feeling and this was backed up IMO by Richie Mathers interview that we are going all out to blow the budget on a couple of absolute quality players and go with a smaller squad. Risky if you get injuries, fantastic if you don't.

What about us 2000 potential season ticket holders agreeing to pay an extra £1 a week to help secure Tim Smiths services.

lol - sounds familiar

You might as well increase the price of the ST

Nigel Wright anyone?

Yes i know but this way its targeted for a specific purpose a bit like a contingency fund so it does'nt disappear into the prverbial black hole.

That definitely sounds familiar!

My thought's exactly, especially if Webbo see's him as his main priority.

Indeed. I liked Mathers most of the time, but if we have to go with a cheaper option to be able to afford Smith, I'm all for it.

Would anyone like to see Webster take a chance on a younger player? Not so much Max Jowitt but someone like Harry Siejka? I liked Harry... I just think a lot more was expected from him but coming back from a long term injury I just don't think he had the confidence. I know all the comments back are going to be slating my view but what are other peoples opinions? What young gun would you like Webster to take a chance on?

Our own young guns are a good start for me

So you want to take a chance on younger players, just not our own ? Very strange.

Well Siejka's out of contract so we won't have to worry about him next Year.

Not if you're his mum or his agent - note first post

Agreed and this is where the relative strength of your academy set up comes into play.

Although we have not had a great academy set up recently we do odly have a number of players on the cusp who may not be ready for regular first team but could fill in gaps if injury hits. Sometimes its quality over quantity svn in the Academy. I've listed below the players who could well fill the gaps.

Assumming we keep them,

Wallshaw
Trout

Contracted

Anakin (who really is first team ready)
Shulver
Jowitt
Crowther

The last three are untried but are at the right age to start and are not exactly kids. When you recall players like Newlove and Edwards and many more made debut at 17 and the game hasn't changed that much.

I'd deffo go for quality over quantity, it's not like you can't make mid season loans etc.

I can go for quality over quantity, that's how your younger players become better.
For the last couple of years we have signed players and not used them much, Molloy and Motu Tony spring to mind.
Agars teams always played better when we had an injury crisis and the team picked itself, without having to juggle positions to fit players in.
If we can get 3 or 4 top dollar players, their attitude rubs off better on junior players, rather than 6 steady players.

First post. Been reading all the forum for a few years but now would like to put my 2 peneth in. The best signings we could make (other than the others suggested) would be a good assistant coach and a conditioner. Personally feel that Webster deserves help and our fitness levels have not been great for a few years.

My argument in the past is we lose quality players but yet we have brought in molloy for example.That money could HAVE kept Mariano say

Why didn't you do that them mr chairman

Molloy trained and played for no money during the first season he was here, all he asked for was an opportunity to prove himself!