I agree I'm not comfortable at all .

Now with Leeming confirmed, looks like Prior will replace Merrin as out marquee i can only see possibly one more signing maybe another prop

But if we went with this 17 for start of year i feel more confident in winning matches/ competing with the top end of super league

Walker
T.Briscoe (if he's fit)
Hurrell
Newman
Handley
Lui
Gale
Seamanufagai
Leeming
Prior
Mellor
Martin
Ward

Subs

Cuthbertson/Oldezki
Dwyer
Crosby
Donaldson/ Smith/ Sutcliffe

Don't think its to bad, personally I think he deserves the promotion.

Any idea on when Crosby going to make a return? Not seen him in any of the videos of players pre-season training.

he was targeting Boxing Day.

I completely forgot he played for us.

For clarity, Matt Prior coming in would be to replace Nate Peteru and Brad Singleton. No one is going to be able to sell him to the fans as a replacement for Trent Merrin (should he leave) just because of timing.

GH / Kev take note, if Merrin does go, he needs replacing with top quality not someone we were going to sign anyway...

I agree and surely the Headingley spin machine would not be foolishly to think any different.

Too right

Wont make boxing day, delayed again til new year.

The squad is starting to look decent to me.

At this stage I’d rather Merrin just went and we replaced with quality. He’s never really settled properly.

I’d swap Hurrell and Newman, and probably partner Mellor with Martin in the second row with Ward at loose.

Leeming to start at hooker.

Not sure whether we need another heavy artillery prop, or a good winger. T Briscoe coming back from a serious injury and in last year of contract in 2020 (?), might be time to look at wing because nobody from the Academy looks ready yet.

If you think it is decent then you are easily pleased

I keep flip-flopping on this Jim.

One minute I think that things are going ok, we have offloaded some average players, got a decent scrum half, a hooker and those players that came in late last year will get a full pre season with a newly appointed coach - all seems quite positive.

Then I remember that our front row consists of only 4 senior players, one of which is injured and one in oledski that is still very young and green. We have no reserve backs to speak of though I was shot down on this being an issue. Now with the Merrin thing we may not have a captain.

I remain hopeful there are two or three more quality signings to come and things will look better for boxing day but I'm just not sure.

There are still some significant weaknesses, and you’d have to think there’s still a lot of cap space left. When Prior is announced, that helps the front row, but we could do with a bit of cover in the backs and if Mez goes it should only be with a suitable replacement.

will crosby ever be fit???

I'm exactly the same. One thing is for sure. We are no where near what we used to be and that must be the aim for the club over these next couple of seasons

I think were a couple short of where we need to be (unless some of the younger players really come on this year) but we are far better than we were when Sinfield cane in 18 months ago IMO, assuming Merrin is gone the 17 should line up something like this

1. Walker
2. Briscoes
3. Hurrell (I’d move him to the right centre spot)
4. Newman
5. Handley
6. Lui
7. Gale
8. Ava
9. leeming
10. Prior
11. Martin
12. Mellor
13. Ward (C)

14. Dwyer
15. Cuthbertson
16. Oledski/Crosby
17. Sutcliffe/Donaldson/Smith

As I say even without Merrin I think that’s much stronger than 2018/2019 team

I’d agree, it’s stronger, but that pack screams mid table especially when injuries kick in.

I really dont want to see Ward playing 13 its not the workload his body needs.

Merrin is a better player than Mellor, but Mellor can play 80 mins, has better pace and defends pretty well. As a balance I don’t mind our back row at all even without Merrin. I thought the team just looked lethargic at times last year - Martin and Mellor are much more zippy.

Disappointed we’ve lost Trout but we still have Walters, Muizz and Holroyd to make a mark this year.

Much will depend on how well the younger lads, including Cam Smith, step up in training this pre-season.

Difference between this year and last should be some team cohesion, and better pace in the pack and strike with more match-winners. We did lose a lot of games last year by small margins which even the change in half backs would probably change. We were also travelling much better in the last third of the season.

Reasons for optimism but of course the squad isn’t where it needs to be yet. 2021 will be the real push year.

Depends how we play the 13 role. Personally would try mellor there if merrin goes

I know the lad has been through a lot, but looks like one of the worst signings we have made in a while hasn’t even played since we bought him in

he has played

Has he? He played when we had him on loan not seen him since we actually signed him

Well the club gave him a deal and supported him so it really is up to him