And when it was clear they would be losing said half they again went big and secured another.

Funny thing is when this was suggested months ago it was dismissed by many as knee jerk.

to be fair, we actually did a clearout at the end of 2015, a few players(england monaghan and bridge) were moved on that were still under contract and thats when we went and bought westerman and lineham.

Reminds me.of this: https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth ... struggles/

Reminds me.of this: https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth ... struggles/

I remember looking on your board around the time you were condemned to the middle 8s last year. The feelings were very similar to us now, of the club being stale and in need of a clear out. Most people naming a huge list of players not up to the task and had enough of the Smith/agar regime. Now many of those named look revitalised under a fresh new coach with a clean slate and new ideas. That is what we need more than anything because as pointed out, in this day and age you can't just bin half the squad and get the cheque book out, it takes a few seasons to fully re shape a squad.

Having a massive shift of players would do more harm than good, we have some quality and you don't lose that overnight, look at Catalan, pretty much same team (bar drinkwater) as the beginning of the year, its just taken time for a new coach to implement everything, I'm actually pleased for McNamara, he has taken so much rubbish over the years because he had a bad spell at Bradford but he did a good job with England and has obviously taken the time to go to the NRL and learn and it's obviously paying off now.

Yes, i always thought he did a good job with england and was really unlucky. A second away from a WC final and a finger tip away from a 4 nations final away from home not bad from where we were when he took over. Seems a good honest bloke too.

Most people know we need a clear out and I'm sure that includes hetherington and no doubt kev made it clear when he took the job.

Although the the actual 'who' is up for debate given how long the list could be I don't think that is the real issue.

The bigger issue is who is available and how much money are we willing to lay out?

No hes happy where he is

I don't think a massive clear out is happening, or required, but there are going to be holes in the squad which need to be filled.

Moon and hall are leaving
I think JJB and Delaney are leaving
I reckon Ablett will get another year.

It's true everyone is underperforming, but assuming we get through the middle 8s we have a whole off season to implement the new way of playing, and anmoynce / sign some players.

Given the above people leaving I'd imagine than plans have been made to fill for JJB and Delaney. Hetherington never announces signings early.

Changes need to made, but I can't see anyone with a contract being moved on, it makes no salary cap sense.

Ferres has another year left and given Wards bad luck with injuries I could understand Ablett getting a one year deal.
However, JJB and Delaney have to retire / move on and we need to sign an aggressive BR player minimum there.

Given Hall,Moon,Galloway,Hardaker,job,delaney and you could argue one or two of the JP/ Sinfield/ lealuai money should be free to spend on the cap.

We should have the cash to sign the players we need,if they are available . If not then we should be looking at transfer fees for one or two positions.

I think our list of poorish players is actually quite long, partly the result of not starting this process a couple of years ago. What I do think is that we need to prioritise - I wouldn't bother with a winger until pretty much everywhere else is sorted.

We need a prop that the other side are wary of and doesn’t take any sh|t. We had Barrie and then we had Peacock who wouldn’t take anything along with Leuluai who’d hit hard and run hard every game.

I think we need a good prop and a nasty prop. Maybe a fast/strike backrower but I think with the right couple of props and a stand off coming in that we’d do alright then.
Most of our issue come down to weakness in the forwards and not doing the tough stuff in the middle. Sort that out and I think the team would be transformed.

add a left centre and I'd agree.

Definitely need another centre needed - the thought of Handley and Sutcliffe playing centre until Watkins is fit - doesn't bear thinking about. Two of the poorest players in the whole squad - neither has any appetite for hard defensive work - same goes for Moon and Cuthbertson.

Why do you think people think Sutcliffe might make a second row or 13 if he's not a good defender?

Sutcliffe needs to be a squad player at best. He shouldn't be getting much game time should we make some signings next year

Nasty props are overrated and often a liability in the modern game. You just cant throw your weight around like you could in the past. You just want a prop who consistently makes good yards.

True up to a point, those who focus too much on the enforcer bit are indeed a liability. But I reckon the genuine hard case that takes hammer as well as gives it is often cut a bit more slack than maybe they should be when dishing out the rough stuff. Not that I'm complaining. Or rather I am but only cos we lack someone of that ilk.

You mean like James Graham?

I see Ablett is not making any announcement until we are safe !

Given we're losing Hall and Moon the clear out at the end of this year is going to be enormous (or ought to be) given our obvious problems in the forwards. If Parcell leaves then we'd need to get another hooker as well. That's a huge ask in one off season.

As I keep saying - I can't see Parcell being here next year. Too good + will have NRL offers.

Huge recruitment drive this off season. Keinhorst, Ablett, Delaney, JJB to replace. Ontop of Hall + Moon.

Ablett will be staying.

Jjb saying in the guardian he’d like to go round again but understands it would be a less involved role in the team. At a time where we clearly have no leaders maybe not such a bad thing to have him around the training field and the dressing room for one more year. Would possibly be ok if only need 10 or so games out of him.