Welcome Ryan he should add some strike for us weather that be on a edge or through the middle. I wonder if we are talking to some players that have been involved in the world cup and that is why any news on signings seems to be a bit slower then recent years plus the change in ownership of the club. And we are not the only club in this position i would expect a number of other clubs in the championship to be making signings for some time yet leading up to the new season.

Well it seems we've signed Nick Rawsthorne again.

Not gonna lie my initial reaction was meh , however the season he had with us was disrupted by injury. Given we have better quality halves and players in general this time round I’m prepared to give him a chance, on his day he is a decent player.

Really happy with all the signings so far and even this one but it does start to raise alarm bells that we might be struggling to sign a good centre which is a bit of a worry as you would think we had someone lined up when we let a player of Worthingtons quality leave.

I agree , I don’t see rawsthorne as a replacement for worthington, despite worthington not scoring enough tries his overall game was quality, I’m hoping that rawsthorne is cover for the wing positions. Barber also played centre a good chunk of games and his quality versatility will be missed . I’m hoping that cole Oakley has improved much like tibbs did last season. I also think we need cover in the halves , even if it’s a loan signing, I think we were fortunate with injuries in them positions last season and that can’t be guaranteed again .

You've got to think there is a minimum of 4 others on the way in. Assuming all of Salty, Gee & Oakley has resigned, that would take us to 22 for the squad. We would want to run a squad of 26/27 surely?

If we include rawsthorne and joe Martin ( although I don’t see where he fits in ) I have squad at 25 .

Backs

Woodburn hall
Walmsey
Arundal
McComb
Tibbs
Saltonstall
Rawsthorne

Halves
Keyes
Jouffret

Front/backrow
Murray
Calcott
Tangata
Maher
Doro
Larroyer
Fairbank
Kavanagh
Gee
King
Oakley
Forster


Hookers
Moore
Wood
Inman
Martin

Didn’t SG say somewhere we will be running with a smaller squad next season. If so this might be all we are signing.

Defo need another 6/7...

Not sure tbh , the only thing I will say is as this current squad stands it doesn’t look more expensive than last year up to now and both Grayson and durgan said the squad would have more funds available separate from the clubs normal revenue and that’s why the consortium was brought in , but who knows .

Out - Gwaze,Morris, Knowles,Aston, Worthington, Barber,and Garside - Ins Doro, Maher, Inman, Forster,King and poss Rawsthorne. 2 of the incoming are complete unknowns who may turn put to be great signings, Rawsthorne was very underwhelming last time. So without wanting to be negative, while we have 3 what look to be excellent signings on balance don't think this years squad has the same depth of quality as last year especially at half back where sods law almost guarantees one of halves will get injured.Needless to say I'll be delighted to be proved wrong

We have made some decent signings but I feel we need some big name signing (as long as they are fully committed to the Panthers) to create some head lines. Other clubs seem to be in the lime light again with their signings being given press time.

However saying that if we sign several guys and it goes unreported yet the squad and full team, staff at the club go on the be dominate team in the league I’ll be happy with that.

I agree with you , although I will wait and see when the squad is finalised. I think if they hadn’t mentioned challenging for promotion this season I wouldn’t have minded this squad and looks like a playoff squad similar to last year . Let’s see if there’s anymore quality coming in .

The World Cup finishes this weekend, let’s see what happens from there. Maybe the the flying wheelchair Rob Hawkins. Will get game time !

In my opinion the squad looks stronger so far than last season and if we can sign at least one good centre we won't be far off. Our pack looks better than last year and we know how good our 1,6,7,9 combos are its just out wide where we look a little light. Regards the half back situation I am assuming with Moore and Wood still on the books that Inman has been brought in to fill the Corey Aston role of someone who can cover in the halves and at hooker and at a push Wood can slot in to the halves so I don't see us making any more moves in that area. Our team does not look like it will be far off this season and given its looking like Toulouse won't be as strong as Leigh it could be a real scramble to get that promotion spot and we might be somewhere near.

I agree the pack is better , how much better remains to be seen, I also agree that our spine is good however I don’t see inman as a half replacement for Aston. Grix said in his signing video that Moore , wood and inman would be competing for the nine/fourteen spot , he also mentioned in the previous year that it was difficult running with just two halves in Robinson and Harris , I agree wood possibly inman can fill in if necessary but I’m expecting/ hopeful of another half , personally I think we need someone who can play fb or centre like maizen or aitkens another half , maybe a loanee like sinfield or Riley dean and another second row . Maybe wishful thinking but that’s what I think we need to be genuine title contenders.

P.S Grix also mentioned in his preseason video that running certain tactical plays without his halves jouffret/ Keyes was difficult so I don’t see either wood or inman in them roles in the long term.

Quote ="Listenup94"Complete and utter speculation but rumour and news has been vociferously boring of late . Jake maizon ( Italy wing/centre) started following fax on instagram recently , let’s hope king or walmsey has had a word in his ear . Need another back to replace worthington, has anybody else heard anything?'" Boom ! Now this is a signing and a half , this kid is quick and powerful. https://twitter.com/thegamecaller/statu ... r2DBYITjHw

Quote ="Listenup94"Complete and utter speculation but rumour and news has been vociferously boring of late . Jake maizon ( Italy wing/centre) started following fax on instagram recently , let’s hope king or walmsey has had a word in his ear . Need another back to replace worthington, has anybody else heard anything?'" Boom ! Now this is a signing and a half , this kid is quick and powerful. https://twitter.com/thegamecaller/statu ... r2DBYITjHw

Quote ="Listenup94"Boom ! Now this is a signing and a half , this kid is quick and powerful. https://twitter.com/thegamecaller/statu ... r2DBYITjHw'" I agree with everything you say about the need for a third halfback. And hopefully mick is right for once about this signing.

Quote ="Listenup94"Boom ! Now this is a signing and a half , this kid is quick and powerful. https://twitter.com/thegamecaller/statu ... r2DBYITjHw'" I agree with everything you say about the need for a third halfback. And hopefully mick is right for once about this signing.

I'd be happy to go with Inman/JWH/Wood as hb cover and get another prop.

I’d prefer another second rower , the nature of the game means they tend to receive more bans , I think gee , kav , barber we’re all banned after the York game for late hits , garside had a couple .Need plenty of choice in that department. Think we have 5 at the moment.

That York game was a one off, where once again Fax were the victims. I don't think we'll see that scenario ever again, i do get your gist though.

So ‘fax have signed Nick Rawsthorne, we have respect SG decision on who joins the squad, Simon obviously thinks he can do a job in Blue and White. Good luck to you Nick, and as SG says it’s up to you.

I think we are helping Nick out as he wants another year of playing semi pro rugby. I don’t there is any great risk to club and it won’t affect other signings we make. Nick may come back stronger after having a year off, I hope so but he will be second or 3 re choice winger But its an extra person covering that position should it be needed

he is only 27 years old so good for a few more years if gets back to fitness. rumours/reports maizon signed too.

For me the team looks overall stronger than last year . I think they will be there or thereabouts near the top . Let's hope for a good strong start this year .