This is key. I've gone from being very, very optimistic about next year back to just hopeful. We had such depth with Gale there, in addition to the rest of the squad, that we could have ridden out even an injury crisis like we had this year. Now it's not looking anything like as rosy and we're back to being reliant on key people staying fit - something the squad was designed to avoid happening.

Well said. My feelings in a nutshell.

Yep. Pre Gales departure the squad building had a strategic feel to it, post it - seems like we are rolling the dice. Let's hope GH and Agar have something else in mind.

Agree re. the lack of a McLelland. I’m also no fan of Myler or Sutcliffe at HB.

However Leeming did Ok there for a while and with Johnson an option at 9, we’re not straight into “crisp packet” territory if Leeming gets drafted.

Is it ideal that Gale has gone? No. Is it catastrophe? No.

Arguably the salary is better spread across the team than having three big earners fighting for 2 places.

I don’t know what’s gone on behind the scenes but Gale has had 6-7 clubs in his career and he can be a controversial character.

By there’s some doom mongers on here of late. I trust the club here. They were happy to let Gale go. They’re not stupid. Something has changed and we don’t know what but I trust them to get this right. Don’t get me wrong they need to deliver. I definitely think there’s another incoming here..

The way I see it there remained a massive gap between us and the winners last year. For it to be bridged we need a load of coins to land heads up. We need youngsters to turn potential into delivery, we need prior to finish the season as strongly as he starts, we need Tet to be better, 2 new halves to gel, Bentley to perform post injury...
with so many unknowns we'd be pretty unlucky if it was the loss of Gale that made the difference between success and failure

agrree he's 30 odd did a job but started picking up injuries and petulance on and off field , mclelland wasn't the answer either

good riddance. only downside is losing a spare playmaker

If we are going to replace Gale for cover/backup it ideally should be either a veteran solid pro who is happy for a 1-2 year deal as a backup but experienced enough to pass on knowledge to younger players but still hungry enough to get stuck in when required, in the 32-35 range, Or a championship up and coming half with ambition to step up to super league 21-24 range. Cannot think of names of top of my head but must be someone that fits that ilk.

Myler at Leeds has nearly always been in good own when he's been halfback. He's really found his niche at fullback, but too suggest that we have no cover at half is daft. What do other teams have as backup?

Someone like Richie Myler then?

Is your “top source’ still saying we are after signing Will Pryce???

I reckon he would cost a fortune dont you?

My top source is often wrong but has occasionally been right, I’m taking it with a pinch of salt to be honest, broken clock is right twice a day and all that.

We have been known to splash out on something special, either way Pryce won’t be at Huddersfield in 3 years time if he is “that good”

We would never be able to attract an international half back like that

We need someone to effectively fill the Andrew Dunemann role.

Im not sure we do TBH, Dunemann was brought in to help bring through Mcguire and burrow but they were already pretty much starters in the first team, weve got two experienced halfbacks, if were going to replace Gale with another HB id prefer it to be someone young and with potential.

Someone like McLelland you mean?

Batley you do realise McLelland played for Scotland which makes him a super duper international half back lol

Only in RU at junior level.

Nah mate hes played for Scotland RL too and as weve been told International half backs are all really good.

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Absolutely. I just feel with the susceptibility to burn out as well as injuries that the need for a prop is a little greater, add to that the pretty standard (compared to your typical squad) cover we have at half. I'd hope in the need for short term cover that Johnson is upto speed at 9 and that Leeming goes in there preventing Dwyer starting.

OK thanks mate hope you are well.

We offered mclelland a deal didn’t we?