6 overseas of which upto 5 can be quota. think anyone signed before end of 2008 season doesnt count as quota - just overseas.

so menzies,morro,bj,nero,semi,rinaldi would fill the six slots. would like at least one ,if not both, of morro or menzies to stay. BJ definitely to stay. nero already under contract. that leaves semi and rinaldi. assuming main signing target is a half then rinaldi could be unnecesary if we can retain newton( although I'd guess we'd have to offer him at least 2 years) as biggest advantage rinaldi offers is cover for halves. semi could retire to free up a spot for a but then we'd have to promote a winger from within - is there anyone nearly ready coming through? don't think moving halley to wing is answer as he looks much better at fullback - assuming we manage to retain dave that is.

My information is that Andy has agreed terms and will be staying.

Somebody high up at the club told me different.

Lets hope you're right....



And you're wrong!

I can't see Rinaldi being retained. That leaves us a quota space.

A SH and Centre have to be priority for the off season.

So come on stat geeks what are our options for each position in the UK and Aus!?

Why look in Oz what's wrong with PNG, Samoa, Tonga etc.

The NRL are also looking in these areas

Personally, I'd prefer someone tried and tested, that will also get the fans excited, rather than taking a chance on an unproven unknown who hasn't played at SL or NRL level.

I'd look to recruit youth from those areas and develop them rather than take on unproven at top flight players. Where do the RFL's quota rules stand in relation to bringing overseas players through the academy system?

Wouldn`t say he was high up, but someone at club told me same.

They don't come much higher than the Concert Sec at Bingley WMC.

I was told by the lad who holds the ladder for the bloke who cleans the top windows, apparently lynch was talking to himself and said ive had enough of carrying this team im off.

I don't think a centre is that urgent, when Nero and Sykes are playing well we don't have a problem, and i'm assuming you're talking about replacing Sykes, which means swapping for an Aussie or finding a talented English centre willing to come to Bradford. I'm okay with our centres, think we need another HB and this hasn't been mentioned much but we haven't got a through and through Loose forward, Langley, Burgess, Menzies and Morro can all play there but I think if a quality LF became available we should jump at it. I've talked to a few Aussies who reckon Hunt may be coming to Bradford, can't see much truth in it myself but then we could get let Tadulala go due to age -although he has been playing brilliantly- put Halley on wing and Hunt at FB.

Sykes and Nero don't ooze class though do they? IMO we're lacking a bit in this position, A Hape / Gidley / Lyon is what's required to take us forward.

Suppose so, but Sykes does give us something in attack when playing well, as does Nero. It's not a matter of urgency like a new HB though.

Putting some pace into the side would be a priority for me. A quick half back with good support play would make a big difference.
As for a centre, unless it was someone world class, I reckon we can make do with what we've got. Sykes and Nero with Crookes to get a chance when possible.
Keep Menzies, and Morrison as long as he agrees to a pay cut. I think that their experience could make a big difference to the talented group of youngsters coming through. Solomona to go because of his large wages, and injury situation.

Do you know how much they'r ebeing paid?



Agreed

A young player from PNG, Tonga. Samoa or Fiji would still have to qualify for a British work permit.

I just meant Morrison taking a cut, I'm guessing Menzies' second year option will already be negotiated as part of his current deal.
I dont know how much he is payed, but with his age and how much time he's been spending on the sidelines, I don't think it would be too harsh for the club to shave a little off his next deal to put towards other, longer term targets.

No they dont, but they are both quality experienced super league , and if the club is serious about Crookes potential (and I've seen enough of him that I think we need to give him a shot if he gets over this injury ok) then that 3 with Platt/Menzies as backups would be ok for next year IMO unless a world class became available for the right money, which is doubful with other top clubs also needing a .

I would rather we spent any available cap money on a top drawer half back or possibly a FB if Platt/Halley dont make that a non option by being consistanly excellent. Halley could be moved to the wing if tadulala is not retained and Platt would be an excellent utility back/competition for FB. We might also need some cap money to spend at prop for an impact prop or replacement for Lynch.

Solomona to be released has to be a no-brainer surely? Menzies to be retained would be a good deal if he keeps up his fitness and form (and I see no reason why he wouldn't - guy is a freak!), and possibly Morrison but I'm very wary of the number of promising kids we supposedly have coming through and we need to make sure they get a fair shout and resigning both our 30+ year old Aussie backrowers might not be the best message for Donaldson and co.

And as for Lynch and Newton, I'm yet to be convinced either of them will be our choice. I could see both going after refusing an offer from us.

Just my random thoughts on the current state of play.

Seems a fair enough summing up to me.

The problem lies with player availability though. There just isn't an abundance of world class talent available (as you'd probably expect)

Is an over-abundance of world class a contradiction in terms?

You know what I mean!!

Indeed. No doubt that's why he did not use the prefix "over..."?

Thats right, especially in the , and both Leeds and Saints (amoungst others) might well be looking for a "world class" next year. So whilst I would like us to sign said "world class" , if we have two good players in Sykes and Nero, adequate cover with Menzies/Platt and a promoising youngster in Crookes who needs game time then our cap money could be better spent elsewhere. (on an abundance of world class half backs?

) Its also why its so important to develop our own talent, and just as importantly give them a chance.

Another problem that [isome [/ifolk overlook when we discuss the make up of the squad is we're not comparing like with like as we dont have the facts about the wage structure. In a limited cap a player should be judged against how much cap space he takes up, for example, resigning Morrison on a huge percentage of the cap=bad deal, resigning Morrison on a reduced percentage of the cap=potentially good deal. Signing Fielden on superstar wages=terrible, signing Fielden on squad back up wages=possibly.

For a change I wasn't taking the p1ss, more thinking aloud. Extending that thought, can you have an abundance of world class?