Mid-season?

Think it was tongue-in-cheek.

[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/22596380"very close" to six new signings[/url

More of the same off the Beeb site.

As to the comment about ' Hell ' it has been for us so far

it was.

Assuming that Rangi Chase is one of the six, which players are likely to be the other five?

I don’t want to appear negative or disrespectful to the existing squad but . . . I honestly don’t think 6 new players will be anywhere near enough to back up the Dr’s bold statement about making it hell for teams to play us next year. It’s all about having a strong squad with strength in depth and six players however good they are will still leave us with weaknesses in the team.

Would anybody disagree and like to try and convince me otherwise?

I think it’s going to take a couple more years and a lot more signings than six if Salford are to start having a lot of fun (as the Doctor quotes) on a regular basis. It’s certainly a step in the right direction to challenge for a top 8 spot next year though.

I wouldn't have thought our recruitment would simply end with these 6 players. We're only just over halfway through this season, let alone anywhere near the next one.

My interpretation is that these 6 players are for next year. Are you under the impression 6 will be joining soon followed by more over the winter?

Of the more realistic targets we have been linked with, I would love to see us have Chase and Dobson at half backs, along with Cory Paterson in the second row. I fear Morley is a shoe in. We desperately need a loose forward and a winger to replace Broughton if he is Saints-bound. Any more rumours/ suggestions?

I don't really know. Some may be sooner, some may be later. My point is that it's probably unlikely that our recruitment would end with the 6 players he's referring to and we'd stop looking for depth. There'll be plenty of time for us to identify other targets for next year. Even without knowing who the signings are, I can't imagine us thinking about top 4 at all next season and it'll all be about making the top 8. As far as Koukash saying it will be hell for other teams, I wouldn't make too much of it - he's probably just trying to stir up a bit of excitement.

very dangerous thing to assume.

I wouldn't be so sure. I was listening to Radio Manchester on the way in, and Paul Rowley (the Leigh coach) said he reckons Salford would want to keep around 75% of the current squad because they aren't actually all that bad.

And if you think about it, one player can make a lot of difference. For example, if Jodie Broughton had a centre that could create gaps for him (and if Broughton was staying, obviously) , we'd get two players - that centre and an improved Jodie Broughton.

Exactly. Look at Melbourne Storm's model. They have a spine of three really key players that take up a huge chunk of their cap, and then put a group of solid, competent, well drilled players around them.

Broughton always looked a much better player outside Moon or even Talau, when we got him on the pitch. I would imagine Jodie wants some sort of assurance the club partners him with a decent centre, before he signs on the dotted line.

I wonder if Israel Folau is one the six. Just kidding, although, he might count as a union player coming to league!!

It will be interesting next year but I’m just not convinced the improvement will be as drastic as some people believe it can be. I’m sure if we do sign half a dozen quality players we will contend for a play-off spot, and anything better would be a remarkable transformation and a huge bonus.

Like Andrew Dunneman did during the 2006 season


no matter who actually does commit & sign up, Salford will have a nucleus of young players a year older & more experienced + the players like Gleeson - Dixon , McPherson .
Add the influence a full close season with Noble - Andy Hay - Donlan - Hunte.
It would hard not to expect improvement

I think a key element to Dunneman's impact was that we had a couple of good years momentum behind us under Harrison. He was the ideal experienced general and winner we were lacking in a fully committed hard working team. His loss after one year was I believe the main reason we went into free fall.

I agree about the kids potential to improve and the positive impact the new coaches will hopefully have given more time.

re Broughton, i dont think he is coming to Saints as we have just given Ade Gardner a two year extension.

Our wings next year will therefore be Makinson and Gardner, with Swift as cover.

Would be daft to give Gardner an extension and then sign a new winger, especially as Makinson is pretty solid on the other wing.

Rangi Chase has informed his agent, He wants to remain at Cas for this season and next!

Also. He cannot get a Visa to play for any other British club, And the way he talks about loving the people in and around Cas. I can't see him even trying!

I think Mr Koukash is doing this to keep you all interested.

There was rumour Weller Hauraki was Salford bound.

He will need a new visa to stay at Cas as well as his expires in December. If he can't get one for Salford he won't get one for Cas either, the fact that Cas is his current club will make do difference to the decision.

He will be at Cas for the rest of this season but visa or not he won't be there next. Cas want him off the books, they can't afford his wages. There will be other departures as well.

There will be departures, But if Powell wants to spend his budget on Chase. He will do.

As for his Visa, He got it cleared after a court case in Aus due to his community work in and around the area. And that's an issue why he couldn't move. The fact he's married a local girl. Gives us a chance, If not. He'll go to Aus. I can't see him ever playing against us.

All Koukash is gonna do, If openly declaring he is adamant to get certain contracted players. Will make clubs up the price tags, Like they do in football whenever Man City/ Chelsea get involved.

oh they will be replaced no doubt, Powell is already in negotiations with players.

Any new application or renewal will be treated differently to an existing one. The fact that he is married to an English girl and has an English born child makes no real difference anymore, the rules have changed. Its a consideration but not a game changer.

The biggest thing he could have done is keep his nose squeaky clean since his conviction with no brushes with the law. Sadly he couldn't manage it. The lad is a quality player but carries more baggage than British Airways.

You are bang on about the way Koukash is going about things though, he is being very naive and may just find he has his pants pulled down on more than one occaision.

I was reading an article recently about entreprener Tony Fernandes the QPR owner who said he feels like he's had his pants pulled down by mercenaries.

Cheered up a dull morning,thanks.Almost plausible;but not quite !
Have you bugged the communication between the two ? Perhaps you just happened to overhear them both discussing things in a public place ? Or a well practised lip-reader ?
He should want to 'remain at Cas for this season and the next'...and the following year as that is the length of the contract he signed,is it not ?
I believe his partner may be the person he loves in Castleford and that may play a part in the visa situation which has recently seen changes to the system - as recently as [url=http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/april/10-rules-aprilLast Month[/url
I cannot envisage the government concerning itself with an incident in Australia when a costly court case involving Human Rights legislation may result,especially during these austere times.
Dr Koukash appears to be keeping rugby league followers at all clubs interested.


As Brian Noble signed Hauraki to Crusaders that would not surprise me.Nor would it surprise me given the fact that Ranghi Chase owes him and his family a huge favour given the emotional and terrifying childhood endured by Ranghi.
I reckon we just need the education department, childrens charity et al. to employ Ranghi and we could also get round the salary cap.It would benefit the youngsters in similar households while attracting more people to the sport.
[url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/rangi-chase-grandad-bashed-my-nans-90880STORY[/url

I wonder if Noble has eyes on Vince Mellars