www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... _priority/ Looks as though we are going to be thin on the ground on Sunday reading between the lines - wonder who we'll look to bring in and who would lend us somebody? Come to think about it, Gareth Widdop is coming over for the test match - wonder if he'll stay a bit longer or come across early for a few games with us?

www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... _priority/ Looks as though we are going to be thin on the ground on Sunday reading between the lines - wonder who we'll look to bring in and who would lend us somebody? Come to think about it, Gareth Widdop is coming over for the test match - wonder if he'll stay a bit longer or come across early for a few games with us?

Wouldn't think Widdop is the option as the article seems to suggest he's looking for an experienced forward. Widdop is neither.

I wouldn't be surprised to see maybe someone like Sam Moa at Hull, who has been struggling to break into their side when O'Meley, Radford, Dowes, Cusack & Lauaki have been fit. Or maybe even Mike Burnett there too who also hasn't really got in when everyone's fit (which they seem to be getting again now).

Been trying to think, when was the last time we actually loaned a player?

Rinaldi I wouldn't think counted, as he was actually signed on a short term contract, not loaned.

Was the last one Morley?

It's a forward that McNamara's looking for. I'd try for one of the PNG forwards at Sheffield or Hunslet. Someone like Exton or Wabo would be useful, they have test experience and may not count on the quota.

Would Sam Moa count on quota?

I understand your point on the "leans towards a forward" in the article but we are short on backs at the minute, especially if Kearney, Reardon and Orford are set to be out longer than they are suggesting.

If we are interested in getting Widdop we might not want any other teams entering the bidding so may be putting the "forward jibes" out to keep people off the scent?

That brings up an interesting question which I'd never considered. Do loan players count? I would kind of assume they do, but I've never heard a definitive on it. Obviously if they were loaned for a full year, they would, but what if it was just a month?

Common sense says they count regardless, but never heard it brought up before.

I also seem to remember a situation where injured overseas players could be removed from the quota for the duration of their injury. As far as I recall, this was only used in cases of season-ending injury, but I'm not sure if there was ever a ruling about shorter-term situations - or whether this is still an option.

Yeah, that's all to do with the 25 man squad registration thing. You can de-register players from it and register others. All still count on the salary cap, but it just means anyone who isn't registered, can't play. But if someone is out long term, there's no reason not to de-register them and then just put them back in when they're fit again.

Can't remember if it's been used for getting round quota regulations, but I see no reason why it couldn't be, as I would assume the quota is "you are allowed this many overseas players in your 25 man registered squad".

Suppose it would only be useful to us though if Kearney is out for a considerable amount of time, as our other quota players are fit.

Looking at other SL squads I'd say any of the following, who haven't been getting regular game time when everyone's fit, would improve our current 17 (at least until Langley and/or Sculthorpe are back):

Mike Burnett
Sam Moa
Luke Burgess
Jay Pitts
Kyle Amor
Jake Emmitt
Mike Cooper
Vinnie Anderson

That's ignoring backs for the time being.

Feka Paleaasina is on his way.


Widdop would be lovely though. Or one of Goulding or Pryce from Wigan.


When you look at the injuries we have (Kearney, Reardon, Orford, Langley, Lynch, Donaldson) it's half and half in the forwards and backs, but imo we already have more cover for the forwards at the club. That's why I could see it being a back, the sensible option would be to put Olbison, Addy, Tate, Crossley or Burgii in the forwards. In the backs we do have a few coming through, but I don't think they are ready for regular action or good enough to cover for long term injuries.

I really wish people would stop considering Karl Pryce for a return to Bradford. Utter waste of oxygen.

I thought he was embarrassing against Leeds, who kicked to him constantly. He just trundled the ball back with never an expectation or hope he would ever break a tackle.

Every time I see him I just think what a complete waste of his own body he is. If you put his size and natural ability on someone with the attitude of, say, a Karl Pratt, he would have been a world beater. Instead, he just lumbers around doing the bare minimum and disappearing whenever the going gets tough. People keep saying "ah but look at his try scoring record", well yeah, but have you seen them? The first 3 he scored for Wigan the other week, my dead grandma could have probably scored.

It annoys me when you get small players with all the heart in the world, who don't make it because they just aren't big enough for the game, then someone with the body of Karl Pryce who just doesn't deserve to be playing the sport.

You're not a fan then?

My best mates brother was in the same age group with him through the junior ranks at Wibsey and he was the same then. If he put his mind to it he could be great but he's not got Leon's nasty streak.

I played a little bulltag with him (long live the mighty Meagre Whelks) for a season, and he has all the natural ability in the world, but his attitude is naff.

He's a great lad off the pitch but he's not got the mentalilty to be a top player.

What gave it away?

I always thought that Leon got the whole family's share of 'nastiness' and Karl got left with being so laid back he's horizontal. I'm sure he's a wonderful human being, but a rugby player? Perhaps not.

What he needs to realise is you can be hard & fair. I never saw Kevin Ward throw one punch in his career.

Chances are I was in that same team.
Who's your bezzie mates bro?

PM on it's way

Karl's not hard though is he?

Nothing against loan signings. We could use another one of our youngsters though. Steve Crossley has been floating around the first team squad for a while now. Were either going to use him or we are not. If we arn't then we might aswell just let him go.

Can't really see who we can bring in who would improve us though. From the players listed earlier Vinnie Anderson would probably be best choice if we could get wire to loan him. Cant see leeds doing us any favours so I'd discount all their players. Likewise any talk of getting anyone from NL's as any players we'd be interested in would be likely to be one of their respective teams better players and thus unlikely to get a loan deal.

One thought that does spring to mind is maybe we have to loan a fringe player in a position we're relatively strong in, in order to get a forward on loan in return. Given cas losing sherwing to catalans maybe theres some mileage in southernwood to cas to gain first team experience with them sending us a prop in return. That said not sure how much strength in depth cas have in their forwards.

that said would prefer us to give crossley or one of burgesses a shot though.

It was a stupid idea not to offer Matt Cook a new deal.

Why? he hasnt exactly progressed at hull kr since leaving. Last year he was overtaken by donno and this year whitehead would have overtaken him. He would maybe have kept worrincy out off squad but thats by no means definite. Think he'd gone as far as he was going to with us and while it may be nice to have him now, when we have few knocks, in general dont think he's been missed.

you sure you're not mixing him up with matt james?

No, Matt Cook. He is a reliable, 100%, experienced, homegrown, versatile and no doubt not very expensive player. Would have been a cheap addition to this 'underfunded lightweight squad' which is being severly tested for numbers at the moment and most probably will be again in thie season.

On that note, Matt James would have also been a welcome number to the squad.