Another thought is maybe we've signed crossley to prevent one of our likely rivals in middle eights getting him.

Think some are reading far too much into this signing. Ross Heppenstall has said none of the props are leaving.
I can't see Clough or Sidlow leaving mid season. Clough signed a two year deal and is playing big minutes in every game, after not playing much last year. Sidlow i think signed one, but he was one of the first to sign as i remember rightly. Doesn't seem like actions of a player who would sign for another club 10 games in to the season. I'm sure he would have had a few offers to stay in SL when we were relegated.

It sounds like Crossley didn't want to be at Cas, he is a home grown player and we have cap space. I think there is some planning in the future if we DON'T get promoted as then i'd expect Sidlow and Clough to depart if we don't gain promotion. 7 props seems a lot, but only 3 props played against KR. Injuries will happen, i'd be surprised if we have 7 healthy props going in to the middle 8's.

I know some would prefer a HB, but i'd love to know where they think these HB's are?

Welcome Steve back and can't wait to see you rip in

Reardon, L Pryce, K Pryce, Burgii, Bateman and Whitehead next...?

Ross' T and A article says, "The arrival of Crossley raises question marks over some of the Bulls’ current roster of props and he is set to make his debut at Doncaster on Sunday".

That sounds like somebody's on their way.

After paying top money for a season ticket I would be furious if the so called "top" players were allowed to leave mid-season. I expect to see the likes of Gaskell move if we don't get promoted along with about 5-6 others. But to go now ---- absolutely not ---- unless some have already signed to leave at the end of the season whether we stay down or go up and this is a replacement signing 5 months early!

When he played for Cas I thought he looked really average and am very surprised he has come back. Hopefully he has lost 6 stones and increased his speed off the mark so he can play at No. 7.

Maybe Jimmy is looking to have two "full" sets of props - 2 starting and 2 on bench (4 per set) so he can rotate them in the next 10 weeks giving a week on and a week off and not burn out Clough and Sidlow.

Still a strange signing though when Samir, Davis Lauaki and Fleming are not getting much time.

This leaves me with a slight worry as to what we are about to read in the next few weeks.

Lauaki not in the 19 for Donny. Could this be significant in the signing of Crossley? Lauaki never looks fit to me. Hasn't been the wrecking ball or firebrand I expected. Hasn't featured much I have to admit, when he is on the field he has often been the dummy runner, or even passing the ball! Perhaps Jimmy is a bit frustrated with him. Who knows.

Well Sidlow & Clough are both in the squad, along with our other top players so think we can stop worrying for time been.


Be about another month at least before Davies is fully fit. Lauaki currently out with a groin injury. No mention of Tahraouri so that is only 4 props for Sunday

Perhaps Tahraoui is a long term thing? I haven't heard anything about his injury tbh.

Well we clearly had a number of injuries to props otherwise we'd not have asked Cas if we could loan Crossley. Clearly, after signing Bailey, Cas need to free up some cap space and as weren't playing Crossley it seems everyone wins with him joining Bradford full time

Did we ask them though? That was my question on the first page. From reading Steve's quotes it sounds to me like he asked for a move away due to the frustration of not playing many games.
Maybe we just acted proactively and got another prop & home grown player back on the books.

Lauaki mentioned as a groin strain which I'd imagine is a few weeks, Davies presumably three or four weeks from match fitness. Suspect there's been no mention of samirs injury could mean his is a more long term one and there waiting to announce it til after cover is in place. Wouldn't be surprised if we hear he's out for months in next few days.

Seems like we wanted him on loan at first, then when Cas said they were happy to give him a release we signed him permanently.

It sounds like we enquired about Crossley as a one month loan initially.

Suggests either or both of Taharoui or Lauaki are more crocked than they are letting on

Ferres explains things this morning. Looks like some are genuinely injured and they want more cover.
I would still like to see an experienced half back added. Someone possibly in the last few years of their career who fancies a couple of years to finish off.

We must be close to the cap by now, surely?

Sammut gets a mention but we must be closer to having a full o/s quota.

Sammut is EC, [Malta, I think so not on o/s. He would be non-fed though, which amounts to the same thing.

That's what we all want, the trouble is where do we find that half back?

I thought some of Sammutt's best games were when he came on and played out of dummy half. He changed the game against Hull one time.

We certainly need a bit more from somewhere although it might be the case we think JS is doing our cause more good by staying at Wakey. If he leaves they might be able to sign a player Webster might actually pick.

I'd have Sammut back in a breath. Given that Wakey have sent him out on loan/dual reg it looks like they don't want him back at Belle Vue - even with their current crop of injuries. Not sure how they'd view it but either way, I don't think they'd want to do us any favours ...
All that said, my earlier point still applies though; we must be pretty well up on our cap by now.

No doubt about it. I'd pick Sammutt over Siejka even if he were fit and/or play him off the bench at DH. No idea on the cap or what Sammutt might be earning at Wakey.

Sammut seems to be Wakefield's version of Carbone. An expensive luxury that doesn't fit in with the team.
Don't get me wrong, I loved seeing him turn out for Bradford, when he turned out that is. When he sparkled, he was a diamond. But when he had an off day we might as well have been playing with 12 men on the field.

I can't remember many matches where Sammut had an average game. He was always either brilliant or a complete liability. When he was brilliant, he was unplayable. I'd probably have him back but I'm not sure if we have the cap space available.

It's all a moot point, because it seems very clear the Lowes doesn't rate Sammut.

Jimmy wants his scrum half to play a particular role, and - rightly or wrongly - Sammut doesn't fit the bill.

I'd love to see us sign another half back, and believe we very much need another one in that position. I'm sure Ferres is on the look out, but who is available that would fit the kind of role that Jimmy wants i.e the role that Siejka plays?

Well, we have a spare upright fridge-freezer in the garage