not while hudge the grudge is still in charge at kr, turned down a bigger offer from hull fc than wigan just to spite fc! any wonder that club is in trouble with finances!

Murrell-Done deal I believe.

[urlhttp://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.aspx?id=7583&type=1[/url

Fielden confirmed as released by Wigan.

Oh no

I think bringing fielden back, on the right deal considering he's been injured for about 2 years, could be a good fit for us.

What do people expect? Seriously....

We're having a build a squad after most of the players are already signed up, and with a crippled Sky allocation. He's hardly a world beater, I'd agree - but he's an available utility player who has plenty of SL experience. And since he's probably on a modest salary it would seem to be a reasonable 'fit'

Who else is even available in his position?

I think that /murrell is the sort of player we need in the squad. He's an honest, hardworking bloke who might not break any pots, but he won't let anyone down.

I'd love too see Fielden return. He isn't going to get big money anywhere with his recent injury record, and his passion for the club is apparent after the whole pledge thing. I have heard he's going elsewhere, but I don't know how much truth there is in it.

I would sooner see us give Cain/Marcus a chance than sign this guy. What kind of message does it send out when we are signing overweight, crap aussies? Not good.

FC talked about signing young players that were currently being released by clubs because of the restructuring of the academy set up. It will be interesting to see what kind of spin they put on this signing if it becomes reality.

I'd have him back, as he would give us great experience and his support for the club recently shows it still means a lot to him. Try to add some youth around him that could learn from him and build from that.

Aussie since when has Middleton been in Australia.

For some reason I thought he was an aussie. I guess if he was we couldn't sign him anyway!

Much as I liked Fielden he never struck me as being a player who would have a very long career. His game was all about athleticism, power and pace (for a big man). He just doesn't seem the sort who would turn into a "wily old pro"

Murrell would be a good signing, he can play various positions. When a kid at Leeds he was highly thought of, just had the bad luck to be there when Burrows and Maguire were breaking thru so he left for Hull KR. While not a world beater he is a reliable sort, which can`t be said of Sammutt he`s either brilliant or rubbish, Murrell is a team player.

I don't see the two being mutually exclusive.

If Sammut goes (and I'm certainly hoping we sign Manuofakoa) then we're left with Luke Gale in the halves. We need three or more likely four players for those two slots, given the likelihood of injuries.

Even with Gale and Murrell, and Southernwood as backup, we'd be still somewhat light IMO

The positions we seem to be lightest in look to be the halves and prop forwards. Signing fielden might be a good bit of business, he's 33 and hasn't had the best injury record for the last couple of years so he can't be able to command that big a salary. So with him and manny being signed up means we're only 1 prop less than last year. I'd also give ainy and pryce both a12 month deal, then we just need an extra half or 2 and we'd have a team that might not be world beaters but should be able to hold their own

Yes they have said that but also said that they needed to balance that with some experience, using the rather unfortunate terminology "last chancers". Murrell has plenty of games behind him, and looks a low risk option. Sammuts offensive stats are better, Murrells defensive better.

It will be interesting to see whether they go for solid players or erratic flair players like Sammutt.

I tend to think a lower table team is more likely to win more games by having a few erratic match winners rather tham "mr consistencies". However they also get thrashed a lot more.

on this page we have spoke of players who are have flair and creativity and of all (known) available I cant grasp why we have not mentioned solomona.
Probably most naturally gifted player we could have a chance of getting - yes he will poss make some mistakes but put some like ainy who will chase any lost cause and would sniff around him or Kearney and he will create some oppurtunities even if is is in 20min bursts - he is overweight due to his bad injury and I think this is why he is being let go - he will not command the wage he once did.
At the warrington away game there was glimpses he can still do what he does and the fact he pretty much hauled the wire players to clap us shows he still loves bradford.

Im awaiting a backlash of fans desperate not to see him back but I would take him and could see a good pre season and franny looking after him could be a potential gamechanger for us. He would not for one minute be asked to play 6 or even 13 so as a 2nd row or prop could be great for us.

I did mention him on another thread some weeks ago as a possibility along with Fielden. Nobody commented either positively or negatively.
I heard he was going back down under following Wire's decision not to renew his contract. If he can be persuaded to stay I completely agree with dom's analysis

ewan dowes returning from aus

Ewan Dowes‏@EwanDowes

Well the day has arrived, time to head back to the motherland. Gutted to be leaving, made some awesome friends. Hopefully get back one day.x

Sorry didnt notice him being mentioned but hope we could persuade him, had not heard anything regarding him moving on or such.

Ewan dowes would certainly fill the void of hargreaves similiar type of prop.

Minor detail that people are overlooking when saying southernwood should get a chance ahead of signing someone are the comments from those who watch u20s regularly. Iirc everytime they've been asked how Cains doing the view seems pretty unanimous that he isnt ready for SL or never will be depending who you ask. Just because someones come through out academy system doesn't mean their automatically the best option.

We were linked with Dowes a few years ago weren't we?
Not the most explosive prop I've ever seen but he could probably do a job for us.

Cain should have been given ago in superleague last year.

I agree with Matt if the lad is not ready why push him and make him struggle before he is ready?
seen plenty of players rushed and lost to the game and if you at oz it is quite regular for players to be into their twenties before even debut. Reed and matt King are two exmaples who come to mind.