Matt Shaw has out and out rubbished it... Who knows!

Looking at it realistically I would be happy with Atoni / Mago and one other player would can cover fullback. With that should have enough to compete and hope we get lucky with injuries during the season. I think we are short on money due to the stadium but with the IMG recommendations that is far more important for our growth and club stability

Apparently Warrington have been offering the services of Ratchford out, I know he is coming to the latter stage of his career but in terms of versatility I don`t think you can get much better as he can play the full back line to a decent standard.

I would be happy with 2 decent forwards which I think Atoni and Mago are and a cover for the spine positions, I think that would bring our squad to near completion.

We have our utility player in Gaskill no way could we accommodate 2 such players with our financial restrictions whilst needing to strengthen in other areas.

I think Gaskill will be a key player for us next year covering several different positions namely stand off, centre and fullback and get a lot of game time without actually being the first choice in any of those positions.

So you don`t think we need any more cover in the backs? We would have to be extremely lucky with injuries to not have to go for some emergency cover in one of the spine positions.

We definitely need cover on the backs. Gaskell is great utility option but what happens if we get a half injured then a centre or fb. We will be relying on academy lads.

At the least we need 2 props, Centre and a spine half/fb cover. Anything else is luxury.

I think the arguement against a second utility player doesn’t hold up. If anything because we have less squad funding a second utility player is good business and smart business.

Agree on gaskell filling in some positions this year but thought he was great at centre last year, deffo his best position for us. Another back should be 2nd priority after the props situation.

Mago and Atoni would be great additions for us

I get the feeling Gaskell will start in the halfs next year with Lino. With smith waiting if nothing clicks. I would take ratchford if Warrington pay a good chunk of his wages as he can cover/compete for the fullback / centre spots in the squad. We have 2 quota spots left and I would want them to go to props before any other position

Don't be so hasty mate

, I don't think he's saying that. I think he's simply saying with our budget situation, the money would be better spent elsewhere considering we have Lino, Smith and Gaskell to rotate/fill in elsewhere.

I absolutely think it will be Lino and Smith.
He's not a novice. Smith has a good grounding through Warrington and showed he can play.
He starts for me.

Ava Seumanufagai and Renouf Atoni would be good if Mago unavailable….

For me, Gaskell didn't really offer much in the halves or at full back.

If the price is right, I would definately go in for Rachford.

If warrington want to pay a chunk of Ratchford's wages (i'd imagine hes on a decent wack), then be stupid not to take him on.

We seem to do well when it comes to those sort of deals and have had some dealings with wire recently, lets see.

If we have cash left I’d prefer us to go for a specialist half or centre.

I don’t think we need another utility.

I think we may dip into the loan market in that regard once the season gets underway.

Sam Halsall is a player that springs to mind. He won’t get many starts this year at Giants even if injuries kick in and he is too good to be playing reserves.

We seem to have a good rapport with Hudds too.

You got a soft spot for Ava Seumanufagai? Not stopped banging on about him last few week lol

He's his agent.

If Ratchford came to us he'd be the starting stand off.

Wishful thinking though, he's well out of our price range.

You know this how exactly?

If we couldn’t afford Kyle Wood I doubt we can afford Stefan Ratchford. I might be wrong though and Kyle Wood was asking for marquee money. You never know.

Is couldn't afford or not prepared to pay over the odds the same thing, and what has Kyle wood got to do with Stefan Ratchford?

Comparing apples and oranges there though.

Maybe so, but do you think we could afford Ratchford?

I have no idea what Kyle Wood leaving at the end of 2021 has to do with the possibility of signing Ratchford at the end of 2022. Unless it’s just an excuse to have a dig at the club for no reason at all.

I'm not having a dig at the club at all. I was asked a narky question and gave a narky answer. I don't think for a minute we can afford Ratchford. I'd love him to come for 12 months, he's better than what we have but I'm being realistic.

At 34, and as most clubs have already just about finalised their squads, I don't think there would be too many takers, and I walouks say his price tag is probably considerably lower than it was 2-3 seasons ago.

I'd definitely be interested if the price was right and it was only a short term deal