The squad so far, based on who'll definitely be here next season (cos they're contracted)
The ones in blue are what I'd consider as back up to that position
The red ones are O.C.C. players who I feel we should be looking at retaining.
The green are rumoured signings

FB: Royston / =#0040FFKearney, Halley, Sykes, Platt / =#FF0000Helliwell
RW: Raynor / =#0040FFHalley
RC: Ah Van/ =#0040FFSykes, Platt
LC: Walker / =#0000FFRoyston, Crookes
LW: Ainscough =#0040FFFinnigan
SO: Kearney / =#0000FFRoyston, Addy
SH: Matt Orford / =#0040BFSouthernwood
PR: Lynch / =#0040FFKopczak, T. Burgess
HK: L'Estrange / =#0000FFGodwin, O'Brien
PR: Scrutton /=#0040FFHargreaves,Crossley, G. Burgess
SR: Elima =#0040FFWhitehead, Sibbit
SR: Hall / =#0040FFOlbison
LF: Langley /=#0040FFAddy, Donaldson

I'll be the first to admit I don't know the younger lads or how well they're going as well as I could do. Most of my experience of seeing them play is if there's a pre-game match or from watching the excellent coverage provided by [url=http://www.bullbuilder.co.uk/news.php?pid=17Bullbuilder[/url so I'm sure someone can pick up the young lads I've not mentioned and give their opinions on stay or go for them.

But looking at that, we need a bit more depth to the front row, the rumour there is Dowes who I think would be a good replacement for Sculthorpe. I know Sculthorpe has had a bad time of it with his injuries, but maybe that's natures way of saying he should call it a day? I don't want to be seen as kicking a man when he's down, but I feel a pragmatic approach is needed.

However, the addition of Dowes, plus retention of Koppy and Crossley, both of whom I feel have not been given a fair shake of the stick under the previous management, along with a sensible interchange rotation policy which doesn't see one prop playing 60 mins+ and another only playing 15 mins a game, would mean our pack would have a better chance at being dominant.

I also feel that Hall being moved up to his preferred 2nd row position as well as hopefully being more settled next year, will see us get a better return from him and the strong rumour of Elima signing means we've don't have to rely too heavily on the young lads Donaldson and Whitehead, though both have done enough to warrent inclusion in any squad being chosen.

1-5 I feel will be better balanced next year as we'll be able to play 2 wingers, 2 centres and a full back in their proper positions, instead of 1 winger on the wing, 1 winger at FB and an FB on the wing.

The area which I feel should be setting off the biggest alarms is in the halves. Southernwood will be a good player, but he is clearly still a little light to be a SL player. Addy can fill in at 6, as can Sykes and Kearney. However, Addy is O.C.C. and Sykes is not a 1st choice half back (something he's apparently admitted himself) and Kearney's best position is definitely at FB. So the club really need to sign a 6 as another season with only 1 half back in the squad will see 2011 being a repeat of 2009 and 2010.

Updated with Koppy's new deal and the signings of Ah Van and Hargreaves

Added in Sibbit and Raynor in and Wardle out.

Added the signing of Royston and a switch around of positions

Added O'Brien, Crookes, Addy and Crossley's new deals

Whitehead will either be dropped to the bench and Elima and Hall start in the backrow or Whitehead and Elima will play in the backrow with Hall intechanging at prop. Preferably, I'd prefer us to sell Hall or negotiate for somebody to take him for free and take on his wages(easier said than done), Get rid of Uselessthorpe, sign Dowes and one other prop, Fielden. Then we've got 4 strong props, with a reasonably experienced back/rotation man in Koppy, the Twins and Crossley ready to step up should they need to.

Other than stand off I think the pack is far far more important than any other area of the team and an area that has been weak/soft and poorly organised for some time now.

Hate to ransack other teams but I'd like to see us sign Ratchford.

Koppy now signed for 3 years so that's one of the OOCs re-signed.

Good news, he has improved and should continue to do so as he matures. He is only 23/24 so should be coming into his peak as a prop over the next few years.

Cameron Phelps from Wigan

not possible given we used our last quota spot on the kiwi winger. do try to keep up

And which of our quota players is leaving for him to join then, all-knowing one?

1. Brett Kearney
2. Patrick Ah Van
3. Paul Sykes
4. Michael Platt
5. Dave Halley
6. New 6


7. Matt Orford


8. Andy Lynch
9. Heath L'Estrange
10. Nick Scruton
11. Olivier Elima


12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Jamie Langley
14. Wayne Godwin
15. Chev Walker
16. Craig Kopzcak
17. Glenn Hall
18. James Donaldson
19. Shaun Ainscough
20. Ewan Dowes
22. Jason Crookes
23. Tom Olbison
24. Danny Addy
25. Vinny Finigan
26. Cain Southernwood
27. George Burgess
28. Tom Burgess
29. Joe Wardle
30. Andy Tate
31. Adam O'Brien
32. Andy Smith?
33. Ben Helliwell
34. Any other promising youngsters - Kay maybe.

Bigger, stronger and better squad than last year.

Updated with the confirmation of Elima.

Given the signings we've had, I wouldn't insult Mick Potter by saying we still are showing where we are weakest.
But two numbers keep screaming to be filled

Have you guys definetely signed Dowes?

Brin Hargreaves as well.

No

As noted he's in GREEN so he's just a rumour



He's already on the list

I'm red/green colourblind (certain shades of the colours look exactly the same to me) and I gotta say, that to me shows Dowes exactly the same as Wardle, Addy & others



I'll take your word for it that it's green

Was looking at the other list!

have i missed something or don't we still have Sculthorpe to come back from injury?

Go back and read my first post.

Posted on another thread, but equally as relevant to this thread I'd say....

DOH

Yes, we are a lot stronger in terms of depth all over the park. But the half back situation is what needs addressing. If the club has a half back lined up, I'd prefer they announced it sooner rather than later as it would go some way to settle the nerves.

We need a big name stand off or scrum half now, more than ever I feel. Or at the very least a decent one.

Well Paul Cooke's been released by Wakefield.....

Thankfully I suspect you're only joking, but here would be my welcome for Paul Cock;





That signing would stop the pledge drive in its tracks! I would hope the club has more sence.

Good list by Dilligaf, and I agree with this especially, unsurprisingly;

FB: Halley
RW: Ah Van
RC: Sykes
LC: Walker
LW: Ainscough
SO: Kearney
SH: Orford
PR: Lynch
HK: L'Estrange
PR: Hargreaves
SR: Elima
SR: Hall
LF: Langley

sub. godwin
sub. scruton
sub. kopzack
sub. whitehead

full back will be either kearney or sykes as think we will have a new stand off within next couple of weeks

also dont think hall will be in 2nd row as all the rumours point to him being given the boot at bradford which i hope so as hes been poor and is a waste of a quota spot.

to be honest think with having ainscough and ah van for the wings halley could struggle to get in time