Well the majority of the players had already left or been confirmed as leaving when Brian Smith came in, so he didn't really have a choice in that to be fair - So yes he had some funds free to bring in some new players and he did.

A few players didn't want to be at Wakefield, and that was made public by our chairman after we lost to you in the challenge cup - Id much rather have a player here that wanted to play for our club and our going to give 100%.

At the end of the day, I don't really see it as an issue, but I can see from a Leigh fans point of view of been frustrated if we were to come good in the 8s. Leigh have strengthened and added a few throughout the season (Albeit they have been with you for a while) - You've got the benefit of a settled squad of players, and all of the players seem to want to give there all for your club (Which is something that I actually admire about Leigh & the job that Paul Rowley has done).

Lets not overlook the fact Wire have freed up some salary cap allowing them to bring in a half back for the super 8s.

Probably because without letting players go first they couldn't afford to.

Since Brian Smith has come on board, Paul McShane, Daniel Smith, Jarrod Sammut, Lopina Paea, Matty Ryan and Dean Collis have all left the club. Further to that, it appears Richard Owen season is over as he has checked into rehab, Kevin Locke appears to have picked up a season ending injury, Danny Kirmond has had surgery on his shoulder and probably wont be back and apparently Stuart Howarth is also out for the rest of the year. Brian Smith has therefore replaced those who have left with his own players and has been forced to bring in other loan signings to replace those who are injured and will miss most the 8's.

I don't see why people are getting their knickers in a twist, all clubs could have brought players in if they wanted.

New coach comes in ships some players out, some have long term injuries so he ships some replacements in. Hardly unusual in Rugby League or some other sports.

Glad to see you don't speak like yourself name



I'm with you on this one. Let them sink or swim and let's worry about our own. Yes they are desperate but have every right to be as most are.

Glad we're a team and a settled one at that. Reckon that's worth 8 to 10 points per game.

Can't wait for the action

No rules broken.........pointless thread. Haven't we got better things to talk about instead of Wakefield?

Agree that there's no rules broken and that our settled team should still be better but do think the rules need changing for next year. I hope Wakefield are relegated after this not for any petty reasons but because Super League XXI will be a much better competition with Leigh or Bradford. If Wakefield do manage to survive, half the team they brought in short term just to survive leave and they're back to square one, left with an even worse team than this year getting beaten every week again only at an even worse stadium, only interested in the last 7 games of the season. Yes the new system lets you game it that way but it's not in the spirit of it and not something a Super League team should be doing.

I suppose this would be a good time to point out that the Bulls signed four players for the middle eights .......A good day to release bad news !!

You signed Mickey Higham mid season. It was only end of May. The only difference is we needed more people and they weren't as good.

AND while we are at it, you only have yourselves to blame. If Oliver Wilkes hadn't scored that last try we'd still have Webster and we'd still have a team that a team of under 8s could bully?!?!

In all honesty, I don't think you need to worry about us too much. I think we'll do well but I have no doubt you will too.

Too late now but certainly needs the rules changing for next season with something like 'no signings allowed from 4 weeks before the last fixture before the splits' to stop clubs signing players just for the eights.

Why should there be controls imposed to prevent clubs trading players when they choose to do so, provided they stay within the appropriate rules and regulations. It would have been a waste of money to have brought in the 4 we signed before they were needed. The existing squad was good enough to reach 2nd in the league and the attendances were sufficiently good to provide the necessary income. Why pay more than was necessary for the first distinct part of the process.
Surely clubs are better able to judge when to spend.

Football have 'transfer deadlines' don't they ? Think next season 'deadline day' will be brought forward slightly, or a limit on players brought in...do some clubs not have talented academy/reserve players that deserve a chance.....obviously NOT !

Didn't Leigh bring in a few extra players during the season. Maybe they were brought in to enhance the squad at the risk of limiting opportunities for others.
Every club does it ..... even Leeds, Wigan and Saints who have a reputation for developing their own talent.

Most clubs have brought in a 'few' yes !

I don't think they should bring the transfer window forward.They should impose restrictions too teams currently in bottom 4 of SL at the point the window opens or put the top 4 of championship on the same salary cap.

Well my opinion is if Leigh do what we know they can it makes no difference who other clubs have recently signed.

I think we will get promoted and'lets be honest how often am I wrong.

No replies necessarry.

Because it distorts competitions.


Should Hull KR should be allowed to bring in the entire Brisbane Broncos first team for the Challenge Cup? They could if there were no regulations preventing it.

Should a club be able to send talented players to other clubs to ensure favourable results for themselves? Only the regulations prevent it.

Should clubs gang-up and provide players to play against a particular team?? ...

They're all wild theories, but if the regulations allowed then such situations would begin to develop.

What we're seeing this season (with regards to transfers) is short-termist and reactionary. It endangers the stability of clubs as they try to do whatever they can to cling-on to or gain SL status. If we continue to see such actions from the clubs involved in the middle 8 scrap then it will ultimately seal the demise of the format and that would be a shame.

Clubs must be allowed to sign and release players during the season, but there needs to be a cut off point beyond which a club must run with what it's got, and it has to happen long before the serious stuff kicks-in. I'd suggest that you need your full squad in place 8 weeks before the Super 8's (maybe 2 signings allowed after that point to cover for injury, but only before the Super 8 competition starts).

As it is, I think the clubs thrashing around signing lots of players are going to struggle to integrate those players. So good luck to them and their short-termist attitudes.

It's just smacks of desperation and could lead to a return of boom and bust. If your team haven't made a rash of signings then you are probably in a good position.
As we all know Wakey are as desperate as can be, if they go out of SL then they have a really big challenge to get back in, no team, no ground, no chance. If they stop in the ground position is not a problem I believe as they do not have to meet any criteria that say Leigh or Fax would.

Totally agree Michael. Well said.

Just noticed that Simon Grix is still not recovered and will remain with the wolves until he is fit. He hopes to get some game time towards the end of the middle 8s with Wakefield. Odds on him not playing a game?

Webster was given money and the freedom to make his own signings during the off season. The club stood by him for too long, he should have gone 7 or 8 games before he did.

As has been stated earlier by a Wakefield fan, Wakefield have lost,
Kirmond/Owen/Locke/Kirke/Howarth for the season due to injury
Collis/Ryan/Sammut/McShane/Paea/D Smith have all left the club and been replaced.

That's 11 out and 10 in, we'll no doubt suffer through lack of familiarity and understanding between the players.

Grix was signed and registered at the RFL before the deadline but not announced until after Warringtons Challenge a Cup Semi Final at Warringtons request.

Where did you lose them ?

Down the back of the sofa maybe ?

No, you didn't lose them at all, the reality is you got rid of approaching half of an under performing 17 & your coach in a mass panic/big flap when the reality of losing your SL place bit your club squarely on the ar$e.

Even if it is within the current rules, it shouldn't be & it is definitely not within the spirit of the sport.

Wildcats, I hope you get battered by every club.

Come on Fax, Eagles, Bulls, Reds/Devils & K.R, lets restore justice.

Wow!

That's some rant.

What about the Vikings?

What about the Vikings???????







( couldn't resist

)