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

Probably says more about the quality of our league now, that an absolutely bog-standard half back like Austin can be part of a GF side.

Saying that, Tyrone Roberts & Dec Patton both managed it with us, I suppose?

I'm not a club employee. and I don't know anyone that is. I'm not privy to 'every' players wages, but I do have knowledge of some salary cap details when I'm told about them. Eg, I know who was the highest paid prop at the club is this season, which lead to another prop being very vocal about his displeasure in the dressing room. I also know his wage increases by £10k each season while he's contracted.

As for me knowing we have £80k left in the pot for next season prior to reducing costs, it's what I've been told. If you choose to not believe me that's your prerogative. This is an internet forum, and is designed for opinions. I take no offence from people not believing or disagreeing with me, and the same should be said for the people that disagree when they read things I sometimes post. Use the mute button if necessary.

I am privy to quite a lot that happens at the club, and if you knew the person(s) I know, you'd understand why. I'm careful about what I do and don't post, as some info is WAY too sensitive for this board. Eg, I posted something the other day on the thread about how long DP will last next season, and then quickly deleted it when I realised I was guilty of over-sharing some very sensitive info at the top of the club !

I think you misunderstood me, Paul. I wasn't questioning you, I was backing you up as others were suggesting it was BS. It seemed quite feasible to me that you could hear such a thing. I just guessed you heard it from a club employee you knew.

It intrigues me that your info isn't from a club employee. I can only assume you hear it from the owner. That maybe you're a friend of his? I think you are... Gary Barlow? No, that's far too ridiculous. You're Mark Owen aren't you?

All a bit sad really. Hope you find something a bit more useful to do.

What?! Why say that, Smiffy27?