Who are the players out of contract after this season. I've heard it's around 16?

That’s the nature of the Championship. Lot of 1 year deals. The ones I know of are:

Blackmore
Lilley
Gill
Patton
Flanagan Sr
England
Scurr
Ho

Depending on who's available to bring in I'd re-sign them all apart from Ho, Flanagan snr and Patton. Patton I'd only keep if we can't get anyone better.

I wouldn't keep Lilley. Just promote Lawford to the first team instead and use his salary to strengthen the squad elsewhere (a strike centre?)

Fair assessment. I’d personally keep Lilley as the 9. Flanagan will retire probably. Lilley slots into 9. Lawford slots into 7 (if he signs a new contract).

I believe Holmes, Lawrence and Butler are contracted until the end of 2024. There may be one or two others but the majority of the squad are out of contract at the end of this season. As has been said, it’s how the championship is nowadays. We’re by no means alone.

Is Arundel contracted to the end of next season too?

Not sure. I read at least one other report of a player contracted until next year but couldn’t remember who. It could well have been Arundal.

I'd keep Lilley, but definitely as a Hooker and a back up half. I really rate Lawford, but he's not had any prolonged period in the first team with pressure on him. Promoting him as our main Hooker/half wouldn be crazy.

Agree about Patton. As much as the team frustrates me at time, we have an opportunity for our highest finish in years, I don't think ripping out spine up is necassary unless we have the funds for better at FB, 6/7.

I would deffo keep Patton. I know he has his faults and there is a strong anti Patton brigade. Just look at his stats re assists and his goal kicking average. It's pretty good.

The Patton and Holmes combo looks far more dangerous when together, just been dead unlucky with injuries

I thought Holmes & Gill were both contracted for next year. But happy to be corrected.

Holmes is contracted for next year but not Gill.

I think I read Appo has an option- has said previously he will resign in a heartbeat

I'd want to keep Gill and Appo. I think Lilley would make an excellent starting hooker.

People I wouldn’t mind leaving providing we get better:

Flanagan Sr (retirement/coaching)
Thompson (retirement)
Wallace (Hull KR)
Foster
Johnson
Clarke
Matongo (although I’d give him until the end of the season to prove himself)
Flanagan Jr (Hudds)
Walker (Hull KR)
Ho

See how Baitieri goes when he finally plays.

If we could keep Rodgers after his loan that would be a good pick up. If Flanagan Jr gets loaned back for a year then he provides good cover at FB and HB.

I think for next year looking at it. We need:

Fullback (even if we go Jowitt need cover)
Centre (need cover or a strike centre)
Winger (only have two)
LF (a proper loose forward, love a ball player)

I’d be tempted to try sign Tindall on a permanent or if M. Scurr is up to scratch he can be cover.

Fullback is a difficult one. Not many good ones out there at the moment. I’d prefer Holmes in the halves but I suppose he could go there if Lawford is getting the 7 shirt next year.

I think Patton gets a bit of stick because he is rumoured to be on top money. I think he has been better in recent weeks but I would imagine the club are probably seeing what else is available as well. He's a reliable kicker and has a decent pass in him when he has runners. Just seems to drift in and out of matches sometimes and obviously isn't the quickest on his feet.

I see Lawford scored 2 trys and won MOM yesterday for Hunslet.

We need to give Lawford a chance.

I hope it’s not too late to keep him. This season must be a disappointment for him so far.

I’d love us to sign Connor Wynne

I’d love us to sign Connor Wynne

Someone mentioned Tindall, he has signed for Hull FC next year otherwise he would have been a great shout. With Wallace and Thompson leaving, I would try get Donaldson in, that is just one to throw out there.

Gill, England, Lilley and Matongo I would keep if the contracts are right. I would keep Patten if him and Holmes are in the halves as they seemed to be playing well together but we definitely need a new Fullback next year.

Yes I also would have liked Lawford to have been given a chance. But he's only 19, the game time he's getting at Hunslet will only help him. Hopefully we see him getting a game in the first team this year.

Lawford has looked good in 90% of the games he’s played for Bulls. Deffo deserves it. I’ve heard he is reluctant to sign another deal but his dad is urging him to stay as it will be the best for his development.

I’d personally give him the 7 shirt alongside Patton at 6. Yes he will have the odd bad game. So did Milnes. But he’ll do better for playing.

Matongo for me, depends on his output for the rest of the year. Hopefully he learns a ton playing with Lawrence and Thompson, and tbf Baldwinson (with the way he’s applied himself).

Wynne is an unknown. One good reserve game doesn’t scream sign him. He needs to properly recover. And have a few games in a settled position before we make judgement. I’d argue Turgut is in the same position.