I'll believe it when I see it, although looking at it we could do with the money... but still, no. Can't see it, he's one of our best players and with it most likely to be the bottom two next season to get relegated I'm sure he's someone FC will want to keep.

I'm all for signing him mind, just not if it's for losing Sammut at stand-off, and I have a feeling it doesn't. He'll be signed as a replacement for Lulia I imagine, maybe move him into the halves once Sammut has moved on.

I don't understand the assumption that Sammut is off just because we are after Gaskell

We need three half backs. I mean how often are both Gale and Sammut actually fit? That's why Danny Addy has played almost every game this season!

Seriously, we don't need Gaskell as a replacement, but as an addition.

Considering how few matches both Sammut and Gale have actually played together over the last two seasons (it's a very low number) I'd say it's inevitable that Gaskell would get a shot at 6 or 7.
Competition for places is healthy. Signing a 6 doesn't automatically mean you're losing your current one!

Perhaps he'd prefer to not play stand-off at Bradford than not play stand-off at Salford.

You cant have an option on an out of contract player, he can go where he likes and if he was in contract it would be with Saints. Smart money is on old Kashkow throwing megabucks at some star signings so if he stayed at Salford he could quite easily find himself in the same situation he was at Saints but at a smaller club. If he signs for the Bulls he is unlikely to be replaced by Rangi Chase anytime soon I suspect. Although I doubt any coach would guarantee a player a specific shirt he may just feel his chances of playing 6 short and long term are better at the Bulls than at Salford.

It will be a good signing if it comes off. With the right support and half back partner i think he will be very good.

Would love to have seen him at the Giants.

The opposite argument is that if he stayed at Salford he is the kind of good, homegrown player every club needs. His personal improvement is likely to be hastened by being surrounded by world class players, on the basis that Salford will be bringing a few in. I guess that if he sees himself as a stand-off, which I think short term is his best position, then that is one of the positions where star signings tend to be located & he could be up against a big money Aussie for that spot, & there will only be one winner in that battle.

Good luck to Gaskell if he is going to you lot.

He's got a great kicking and a decent running game, but I don't think he has the temperament to play HB - partly why he was released by saints from what i gather. He's fitted in well at FB IMO.

Well if the signing comes off the we've a much improved back line for next year and given the length of contracts, for several years to come

Saints wanted to keep lee they offered him a contract if I recall but lee wanted see how season panned out it seemed to have backed fired and now lee is on to pastures new whether it be Bradford London Leigh or blackbrook even union good luck to the lad

Have we? Gaskell might be a half decent player but is certainly not an improvement on Lulia.

I beg to differ on this season last year yes but not now.

The number of tries Gaskell has scored in - lets be honest and average-poor salford team - is really quite good an try every 2 games i think it is.

Well yeah, anyone can score for fun if they're in a top team surrounded by quality players. It takes someone with a bit extra to be able to do it in a team scrapping for the wooden spoon

IF Gaskell is signed then there seems no room for Addy.

I can live with that swap.

Addy off to saints according to rumour

Really? With all respect to Addy, I can't see Saints signing him.

If Addy gets a gig at Saints then good luck to him. I'd be surprised though.

I would still want to keep Addy irrespective of the Gaskell situation.
With Langley on his way we don't actually have that many people who can play LF.
Hopefully Donno stays but it could be risky if we rely solely on him for a full season. Addy's preferred position is at loose and he's never really had a prolonged stint there to show his worth.

Who else do we have that could play LF? Maybe Diskin? Bateman? It will be interesting to see how FC manages the situation if Addy does end up leaving.

If Addy goes to Saints then they will have the slowest half-back combination ever in Addy and Walsh. I thought Addy was off to Wakefield anyway.




Won't Chev play at loose?

I had forgotten about Chev. I had hoped he would be used as cover rather than a regular in the 17 though.

So far I would say our strongest line-up for next year is:

1 Kearney
2 Kear
3 Purtell
4 Blythe
5 Foster / George
6 Sammut
7 Gale
8 Scruton
9 L'Estrange
10 Carvell
11 Bateman
12 Olbison
13 Ferguson

14 Diskin
15 Sidlow
16 Manuokafoa
17 Walker

Not included Gaskell for two reasons:
- Not sure where I'd play him
- I don't think the signing has been confirmed yet

Aye, whilst solid enough much of the time, the old Lulia seems to have lost his mojo. He's not been to imperious hander-off of defenders that he once was. Maybe he needs a move to get it back.