It’s almost as if Powell is making it up as he goes along rather than having some genius, long term game plan.

….In terms of Ratchford in Ratchford out etc. We need a half and Clifford could be worth a punt. Ratchford starts in the halves next season and nothing will improve.

I don't know him, don't know how people can dismiss him if they don't know him either. If this comes off he'll get my support.

I do know I dont want Ratch as 6

He has a pretty decent kicking game from the times I’ve watched him, which has been lacking in the halves for us this year. Only 24 as well so hopefully has this best years still ahead of him. He’s also a good goal kicker too, so I guess it does squeeze Ratchford out of the starting 13.

We still need a centre for me which I hope is Wardle but wouldn’t surprise me to see one or two others leave along with Longstaff before the pre-season kicks in…

Obviously I don't know who we are trying to sign, but if we are to believe the chatter then we have made a few attempts to sign halfbacks from the NRL and when one falls away (rejections seen in Australian press) we go to the next. It doesn't feel like we have a long term strategic approach for the vacant half back role at Warrington. I would have hoped we would have lined up a replacement when we decided on Widdop.

It looked like Powell intended to play Ratchford in the halves, but changed his mind, when Ratchford actually played there (Thank goodness).

If we sign Jake Clifford, he will have my support, but I have sympathy for Riley Dean and he doesn`t seem to have a future with Wire?

100%. What is the plan for the 6/7? Scattergun.

The word to describe the situation is "shambolic". After the first season ,& mind changing on needing Antipodeans or sticking with the kids ,the bloke is coming across as a right clown unless these instructions are from "on high" .

Perhaps the club is trying to bamboozle fans into buying season tickets.

Fake news. Not happening.

Ratch should have been in this role for 2022. No longer quick enough for a starting spot.

We've had season of swap and change with players in more than one position, brought in 4 forwards for 2023, and 2 during the course of the season, but not looked after the backs in any sort of planning, other than bringing in Dufty for the future. It all feels like a game of hole plugging without really have a plan as to make sure the right shape of plug fits the hole. The result is an unbalanced squad, which were still trying to amend (if reports are correct) at the very last minute. It's baffling, and I hope that 2023 starts with a settled team to get some continuity and players knowing what their roles are in both attack and defence.

Admittedly his chances have been very limited, but I've seen little from Dean that would make me want to have him as a first choice Super League half back.

Also, looking at how the season ended, I'd suggest Powell sees Leon Hayes as the better long term prospect. Wouldn't be surprised to see Dean released if any offers were made for him - His 'progress' has all the signs of someone destined to rock up at Widnes quite soon.

DP wants to sign a centre and a half back, but with only £80k left in the cap we need to offload as you suggest. Two of our forwards have been offered out to other clubs. If one of them leaves we'll all be partying

Do you have the full list of the wages of everyone in our top
30?

Blimey Dallas you're not asking much?
I'm not surprised that we are offloading a forward.

Surprised that Powell is prepared to release Holmes, he must feel his own job is on the line.

How do you know we only have 80k left, are you privvy to all of the players wages?

Indeed. Wonder who the other is? Longstaff maybe?

You don’t know?

Only the top 25 count on the cap, can’t see him being top 25. I’ve always assumed we might try to loan out Philbin for a year not sure who else. Holmes leaving would be a hell of a turnaround for Powell

I’m suggesting he has NO details on ANY of our player’s wages. Therefore £80,000 is an uneducated guess. Therefore it’s nonsense.

Sorry. I'm with you now.

I don't know if Paul2812 does know any individual salary details, but from previous posts, he does appear to have an insight. It is therefore entirely possible that he will know that there is £80k left on the cap.

It’s quite feasible that a club employee could overhear small talk and a figure of ‘only 80k left’ on the cap, and tell friends. This is much more likely than being privy to every player’s wages.

I guess Dufty must be our second marquee player, so there’s no getting around the 80k issue without releasing someone. I’ve always been a Ratchford fan but now even I am starting to question his retention if it’s not for a starting spot each week. Or do we get a big cap discount for his long service?

Anyway, pretty sure it won’t be Clifford who solves the half back problem. The video interview with his wife makes me realise it’s not going to work out over here for them. He won’t be settled.

Get her tucked up in Grappenhall with a back garden overlooking the canal. 10% off at Par Arms & free nursery care & all is sorted.

Maybe he'll use us as a springboard to join a club that'll appear in a GF, a la Blake Austin