Bosc is crocked so I'm not sure he'd be a good signing.

I'ds be interested to see if we can use our contacts to pick up someone like Dureau who must have been dirt cheap. It needn't be a player we've all heard of.

If we go into next year with Herbert and Jeffries as first choice halfbacks we'll finish outside the 8 again.

I've voted for 'continuity'. I wouldn't be upset to hear any of Raynor, Ainy, Ah Van, Royston or even Walker had resigned IF we sign a half back of some note and one real NRL quality forward a la Laffranchi, Heighington. Earlier in the season I argued for a top prop but young Burgess has done well enough and it is a real gritty defender around the ruck area and possible line breaker we're crying out for and the situ with Langley is now a real concern. There's nothing wrong with any of the young players but they're too young and inexperienced to form the nucleus of a side.

2 quality players (hopefully 3).

A quality halfback, a quality forward and a half decent centre to go with Lulia would be enough to turn this side around. I'd even forgo the centre just to get some direction in the middle and some more leadership and fight in the pack.

Having a big clearout wont get us anywhere is 2012, i reckon all it would take is a few quality signings to bolster the squad a bit more !!

I'd prefer a quality centre as well, but I tend to agree with all that. (It does happen...

)

A better run on the injuries front could make a massive difference. But, perhaps more important than anything, is a resolution to whatever seems to be wrecking many of the players' confidence and willingness to make the tackles in far too many games? Injuries notwithstanding, this squad should be far better than this season's abject performances suggest.

Edit: In the time I was writing that, I see two other, shorter posts snuck in saying pretty well the same. We seem to have violent agreement then, on this page at least!

You're right to raise the point that it's not all about 'signings'. They should indeed be better but collectively all across the park we've defended poorly and fold quickly under pressure. That's at least in part a coaching (mental and physical) and conditiong issue I'm afraid. Whilst I'm not a Herbert fan I also don't think Potter has made best use of the limited halfback options he had and to hear him saying Herbert has improved and is in talks about extending his contract sends a chill down the spine. This is a pivotal time for MP as we all appreciate he took on a massive job, he's not exactly shone so far

If you actually believed that then you are a bigger chump than I originally thought.

The Langley situation is one for concern. Great when on the pitch but that is unfortunately too infrequent. Maybe if the club renegotiated his contract for a reduced playing wage but built in coaching responsibilities that might work. Strikes me as an intelligent guy who could maybe work in defensive capacity.

Would that be allowed in the salary cap structure to relieve pressure/ make room? Would also give a good servant a further career if path ( if wanted)

Not as easy as it sounds.

All of a player/coach's package counts under the cap. The Operational Rules specifically address this (to me, potentially unfair) situation.

I have often wondered how the Pies have accommodated Paul Deacon. I wondered if they might have agreed a deal with him where he coaches for free, or as near as, for any year that he also plays. Then, when he hangs up his boots for good, in his first full-time coaching year he gets a big golden hello...? Maybe even his playing contract assumed he would play only a very few games and would spend most time coaching, so he comes extremely cheap? Maybe some precedents somewhere for other clubs to follow should they encounter cap issues because of this situation (be nice if we DID have cap issues right now, mind...)

Can't see the Pies doing anything regarding the salary cap that involves paying something in future years that relates to the current year though...surely? You used to get fined £50k and points deducted for things like that...

Thought that it might be something like that as I was writing it

Ah well, still think he'd be a good coach

I think the part of the issue with Langley is if he's going to play like a prop he should be doing the minutes of a prop rather than being on the field so long. I'm fairly convinced now he's just stressing his body due to the time he spends and the way he plays. I'd much rather see Addy and Donaldson rotating the LF position and Langley spelled better in the front row.

It's a shame we can't tempt someone like Ratchford from Salford. Able to play either SO or centre, he'd be bloody perfect.
Too bad it will (probably) never happen.

Louis Anderson to leave the wolves at the end of the year - been linked with the dragons.

Maybe worth a punt, good calibre of player, with a bit of grit?

Didn't realise he was only 26.

if he's announced he's leaving I'd be surprised if the new contract wasn't already signed.

Catalan bound.

Catalans are becoming a bit of a bête noir - Bird, Beaver, Hendo, Leon etc

Have a look at what you could've won...

I've never seen him so angry as after the game yesterday. I think some players are on thin ice.


I can see plenty of change coming if performances continue in the same manner.


Quotes from Murphy on twitter.

Sounds like Potter knows they need to do a hell of a lot better.

I'm not voting for either, because I'm undecided. I think major changes have disrupted the squad over the past few years, so some continuity could be a good thing. However, if the players are simply not up to it we may have no choice.

I think as many have already said, its a case of can we replace them with someone better.

I think Chev will go, as we've brought in Lulia who could prove to be a better player.

If we can't recruit a hb better than Herbert then is there much point in moving him on? He's been steadily improving and whilst he is not the man to turn us into contenders, if we can only find somebody of similar ability from the NRL then they will take time to settle in England and could turn out worse. Potter has some major decisions to make and it will be a very interesting off season.

Of the OOC players atm, I wouldn't hesitate in offering Raynor and Royston another year.

Raynor has won me over. Often looks like one of the few professionals out there.

Agree with Raynor - at the beginning of the season he wasn't pulling out trees and I wasn't bothered if he stayed but at the moment, he's one of the only players that seems to give a $hit. Seems embarrassed by the team performances and if you ignore his age, he's actually very useful!

Would be keen to know what the club are doing about Ainscough - Just over a month till the players can negotiate with other clubs and this is a player I would like to keep - young and promising.

Was rumoured a few months back that he didn't like the travelling and widnes were sniffing around. Deadline means nothing clubs will be talking to ooc contract players anyway.

Don't a few of them car share when they come across? It might be just while he has his injury that he is getting a little frustrated, it certainly seems that way from his comments on twitter.
I really hope he stays, I can't remember him making any glaring errors in the matches he has played, he always seems to give everything 100% effort and he has pace to burn. Stick someone like Ainscough outside Lulia next season and he'll have plenty of open space in front of him.

From what I remember the rumour was from before his injury. Hope it was just a rumour as he's one worth retaining

Ainscough, Raynor and Royston are three that I would keep.