With Solo off, Newton looking like a possible departure and also perhaps Morrison and maybe even, if the rumours are true, Burgess to Manly then we will be freeing up a lot of cap space so we will just have to see how it is going to be used.

We can also factor in the money we had set aside for Greg Bird.

There's no doubt that it is a matter of "there's no one else available". I have to believe that's true, or I will get very depressed at the state of our club. The fact he's only got 1 year also suggests that he's only there until something better comes available.

The biggest problem I have is that I can't think of many centres in all of Super League, or even that many in the Co-Op Championship that have worse defence than Sykes does. There must have been SOMEONE that was a bit better.

The only hope I'm holding out for now is that Sykes has been kept on as a backup for centre, fullback and halves. As essentially a squad player, with either Crookes or Menzies lined up as our first choice centre, along with Nero, next year.

I'd agree with all that ME. I guess its just a matter of prioritising it for me, and if its [uOR [/u6/7 then it has to be 6/7 which is the point I'm making. If we can afford [uAND [/u6/7/9 then yes, go for it, but I doubt thats the case, even with some potential money being freed up. Hall wont be cheap for one, and we've improved Lynch and Halleys deals and I'll bet we're worried about a drop in income from season ticket sales next season as well as any effect/money needed for the OSV.



On that list Im only really happy with Halley and Nero for next season, the rest either I have no hope for (Deacon) or I have serious doubts about some important aspects of their play (Sykes/BJ/Sheriffe) or as much as I like him we might start to see deminishing returns from him from here on in (Semi)

THe sad thing is that there are now so many areas that need rebuilding. No matter where you improve one of the other areas will let you down.

The title of that rticle/thread should be "Bulls show no ambition for next season". We will continue to be poor with Sykes/Sheriffe and we really needed a top quality centre. Our only hope is that Sykes is being used for cover next season, but I can't see it. I am really disappointed with this.

One of the problems of a few seasons of poor recruitment and an over emphasis on second rowers I would suggest.

The only people I would keep at the club (contracts not withstanding) are.....

Halley, Nero, BJ (maybe), Newton, Scruton, Lynch, Menzies, Worrlord, Kopczak, Crookes and, if fitness could be "proven", Morrison.

As for the others.

Platt is not good enough.
Ditto Sheriffe
Semi - erratic
Deacon - done
Sykes - decidedly average
Solomona - done
Cook - will never fulfill his potential.
Langley - going backwards faster than a French Army Tank.

Depressing stuff.

You wouldn't keep Burgess

The depressing thing from a GB perspective is that there is not much better than Sykes available at the moment.

Atkins. At least he can tackle. And also that way Sheriffe wouldn't get much ball either, so couldn't knock on.

I knew I would miss out someone.



Whether Sam wants to stay however (depending on which rumours you hear) is another matter.

If we let him go to Manly it should be with a contract like Leeds had with Iestyn. Upon returning to SL he has to sign with us. I still think it would be a HUGE mistake to let him go.

If Sam wants out let him go. He's been rubbish all season and will bring in a lot of money.

If it did not work for Leeds then it is doubtful it would work for us.

He's had some good games and is still a Youngster. What pis$es me off is that he's younger than Cook, Halley, Kopzcak yet alot more rests on his shoulders from us (the fans) than do if (say Kopzcak) had a bad game.

Yes it did. Leeds took £2m plus Hape and Les as payment

I forgot that!

I disagree. I dont expect anything more than good solid work from Burgess. And that doesnt happen that often either. He isn't fit enough. I feel that is the half the issue. He rarely breaks the line and a lot of the time doesnt take as many men to tackle him as Kopzcak or Scruton. It's all well and good playing well against France but he isnt worth keeping if we get a big money offer in.

Yes he is. Menzies is more experienced in RL than you, you can't deny that. He said that Burgess has the potential to be the best forward in the world. Why would we sell a prospect like that and one that could "walk into any NRL side"

Thats fair enough...however Beaver has the chance to see Mr Burgess training. I have the chance to see Mr Burgess underperforming. There's the difference. Until he plays like he can do i'd sell him every time cos he will bring us loads of money

www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=14603

www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=14603

God knows.

Lets not sell the only ray of light ib Bradford at the minute, that would be a terrible mistake.

There's an old saying that form is temporary but class is permanent (or something like that anyway. In acknowledging that people with singificantly more experience and significantly better access disagree with you, I really think that you've defeated your own argument here.

Personally I think that Burgess has had a decent enough season. He's been moved around throughout the pack constantly which doesn't help and has not been quite up to the standard of the last 2 years, but unless the club needs the money to shore up off field finances then I think that selling would be crazy.

it worked out pretty well in the end for Leeds.

Has Sykes signed?
I wish someone would have said earlier...

I wouldn't like to be the person who tried to explain to the dwindling fan base how letting Sam Burgess go is a good move to rebuild the club. They will be braver than me.