assuming cuthbertson us telling the truth mind

Back in the day it was £2 each, 2 for a fiver

Like I said, when the club confirms something then there is news you can be sure of. Until then it's all just hot air.

It's a devilish job trying to reshape a competitive squad in one off-season. Sinfield/Furner clearly believe "root and branch" is required. I think the club will try to do things the right way - even if there is the odd racing incident where something might leak via an agent or whatever. As fans we don't always know the behind the scenes factors: how good a player's attitude is, how well they train, how they interact with/disrupt others, what chronic injuries they're carrying. I didn't agree with the approach for SOL; but most players we've been linked with are the right ball park. In Kevin I trust.

I remember john from when I was just a little lad in the late 50s he was just a schoolboy himself but I remember him from back t sticks

Wow he has been going some time, i remember him when i was a kid late 80's selling his magazines on the old eastern terrace. Always had good banter with the fans.i'll bet there aren't many haven't had a run in with him down the years.good to hear he is still going strong.

That is a big assumption and not a clear indication!

You could equally argue that for several years now McDermott had successfully been getting blood out of a stone with his aging and un-refreshed squad. Yet he still produced the silverware without having any of the sort of quality signings that greatly benefited all his competitors.

GH must have thought he had a golden goose and kept his purse strings far too tight. He then naively believed that Sinfield also had the Midas touch only to see no improvement since the sacking McDermott. Finally he must have realised that money had to be spent on quality players or the new stands would be empty next season.

I doubt any coach would not want to sign class rugby talent but McDermott kept faith with the squad his boss restricted him to and I am sure did his best. But the squad had become shorn of quality due to retirements and injuries and Sinfield's face after some of the abject performances mirrored the face of his predecessor as did some of his post match comments as the players let him down too.

not the only one assuming things.
depends on your point of view. for both both Hetherington and macdermott were culpable of overseeing what should have been a steady transistion

I said "you could equally argue". I was replying to a big assumption that was made out to be "a clear indication"

None of us know the restrictions, or otherwise, that were imposed on BM. But we all know that GH keeps his pockets zipped up and that he was largely responsible for recruitment. You could also equally argue that Mac should have stood up to GH and insisted that he needed some new talent. But the relationship was not one of equals and his duty was to tow the company line or leave.

Having said that had we not had such a terrible injury list especially in the pack then I have no doubt we would have been pushing for the top four was Wakefield were.

The idea that the teams poor performances were all the coaches fault were wide of the mark as events showed after his departure. That is not so say he didn't make mistakes but he had earned the right to have enjoyed the benefit of from some decent signings and throughout the season GH had the opportunity to bring in short term solutions but he let BM burn before he put his hand in the company pocket. For that I hold him mainly responsible

How do you know he was under "restriction" at all??
Numerous events show he had a major say in departures recruitment & retention Cross Mcshane Ferres Jjb Delaney Kirke Bailey Hardaker Etc.
Both he AND GH are responsable.

Time to file this debate on McDermott's coaching with other scintillating topics such as 'Is Peacock more effective as a prop or second row?', 'Should Ryan Hall play in the back row?', 'Are McGuire and Burrow flat-track bullies?', 'And who is better, Diskin or Buderus?'

Sounds like you’re of a similar age to me. I’d collect the players card too. After the paddock became seated we stood next to the flood light on the Eastern Terrace nearest the North Stand. There was an elderly man we nick named ‘Headstuff’ on account of him shouting “Headstuff! Watch the bl##dy Headstuff!” a few dozens times each half.

I was also on the eastern terrace, just to the left of the posts as you look at the pitch in the mid to late 80’s as a teenager. We must have all exchanged glances around that time, funny how we’re “meeting” for the first time on here 30 years later...

Same here, late 80’s/early 90’s just to the right of the posts usually. Though of course we’d usually swap ends at half time!

I’m still struggling to get my head around the 30 years later bit... when did they get rid of the old portacabins? You were posh if you went in there...

Were they they until the end in 2005/06? Along with the tall row of trees at the back?

You have just made a cracking signing, trent merrin from the penrith panthers,hes turned south sydney down to sign with you.

If its true that is a very good signing - time will tell

Moleys timeline on this is interesting. Verysimilar to Furner story last week. One minute he'd been told Merrin had turned down Leeds to sign for South Sydney now he's turned South Sydney down to go for Leeds...

I said "none of us know the restrictions, or otherwise that were placed on BM"

Likewise how do you know he had a major say in recruitment?

The answer is you don't anymore than others on this forum. It is all only opinion.

BM was the manager GH was and is the CEO and a director so the main responsibility falls on the senior man.

Even if BM had had full control over recruitment (which most of us believe he didn't) then it would have been with financial restrictions imposed by the board of directors. That is how companies work. I do not remember BM making many recruitment trips down under but I do recall GH doing so.

By the way Sinfield has just retained JJB too!

Financial restrictions like a salary cap?
Speak to other people involved in player movements they'll tell you exactly how much say he had.
Wrt Sinfield retaining Jjb another mistake along with retaining Ablett signing Thompson & making Ferres Captain.

JJB may well be more of 'club' decision than a pure rugby one. He's literally a fixture around the first team, and even if he doesn't play many minutes or games nobody would want to see him shunted out unwillingly. Having said that, he needs to pull the pin sooner rather than later, as he must know his actual on-field contribution is dwindling rapidly. I've no doubt its a hard decision, but if the club have and are treating him well IMO at some stage he needs to show that loyalty and not damage the team by hanging around because it suits him.

BR i think JJB should have a role at the Club for as long as he wants just not a playing one.

I agree entirely about an off-field role.

Whatever that role is it has to add value otherwise its a waste of money which could be invested more fruitfully. This is a business after all not a home for every ex player.

The only person making any money out of rugby AM is Simmons - the viewing figures are really low so that is not a viable option for JJB longer-term.