Great news I believe.

Can someone explain to me how this works though? Is his salary split or fully against the cap. If it is split (god knows how) then he might not be a top 25 earner and therefore count to the cap?

Blair would do nicely but I have a feeling we won't sign another forward or another player for that matter.

IMO we went for Deacon as:

- he was cheap enoug
- We couldn't/can't afford to pay big wages

Which is why IMO, we won't see another new signing unless one of our players leaves first.

I'm happy with the Deacon signing for one season, any longer and I'd be questioning it.

It could be they pay him dirt cheap this year and whack his wages up the next two when he hangs up the boots. Who knows? Who cares in all honesty. They've said he can play, so he'll play.

pointless in my opinion
surely we can attract someone better, hes to injury prone

Just hoping that as good a move as it is he does not take cap space away stopping the signing of a prop.

Having said that IL never fails to come up with something and the way he has gone about the back room staff in the last month I would not be suprised if we could not get a prop in somehow.

I take it you didn't bother reading the article.

He's signed up for three according to the BBC.

We've not signed him as a key player though. He's not replacing anyone so I don't see why you can call the signing pointless? He offers us two options, a kicking game (which we didn't have in any shape last season) and an alternative goal kicker. For me he could help mould Sam Tomkins into an even better player next season. If Sam can add a quality kicking game to his nifty footwork then he can be the complete half back.

As an assistant coach. Only one year is as a player.

i have read the article but im sure we can also attract an assistant coach starting now, instrad of next year i just think its a waste of money for him playing this year where crying out for a prop not a 7

Oh, I was only skim reading...

The BBC doesn't mention it that I can see so they give the wrong impression. It's on the official site though.

Personally I think its a great bit of business getting him on a 1 year playing deal. Local lad, has a lot to offer as far as experience goes and he has the time to learn the coaching ropes at our great club.
I have been a big critic of IL but he seems to be getting things in place.

I'm really getting excited about the new season already.

Absolutly, Sam needs to learn how to lead a team around the park. Deacon has had a long career in doing exactly that. Who better to learn off?

Deacon will be assistant starting now

what squad number do ppl think hel be taking any suprises in store

In regards to "we are crying out for a prop" - I'd actually back Maguire and Wane to get Fielden firing on all cylinders again and also to get Feka playing more game time. If that happens we don't need another prop. Personally I think Coley and Prescott did an effective job last year. Not to mention O'Carroll (although he will take a while to get over his injury) and Ben Davies in the ranks as well.

I wouldn't panic on prop forward in this first season. I'd see how it goes. If Fielden doesn't work out this year I expect he'll be finishing is days down with Noble in Wales.

I wonder if MM will stick with Lockers as captain?

That really doesn't matter as I have been trying to explain. He will most likely be one of the top 25 earners at the club even if he is on a low wage and a club can only divide its salary cap up (the £1.6m part) between 25 players.

If he isn't then his salary would eat into the £50K outside the £1.6m that is intended to be used when a young low wage player gets the odd game.



Nor me but we need to get over this idea that paying a player a low wage makes the cap go further. Pay 25 players averaging £50K a year (total £1.25m) does not mean the club could spend the remaining £350K on a couple of players.

Dave

But he'll be our assistant coach starting now. That's why it's a good piece of work. Because he can do two jobs for us.

well said. i'd be amazed if feka isn't at least a stone lighter come february

Well if he's not, he'll be a lot lighter in his wallet.

Totally Agree, I have watched the reserves (coached by Wane) and the way Ben Davies and a couple of the other props in the reserves ran the ball in last year leave me in no doubt that Feka and Fielden will be different players next year.. If after half a season we are still lacking in the props and we are in with a shot at a Trophy then its something we should consider.

We need cover in all positions which we have now with Deacon in the halves/ dummy half and players must fight for their place, that goes for Tomkins, oloughlin, richards whoever.. IF you want to wear the cherry and white hoops.. then you have to prove that your worthy, because the days of having a shirt just because your name is Gleeson Fielden or Carmont are over ... and Amen to that!!!

Are you implying that McGuire has put in place some sort of fining system for players who do not reach club set targets?

And you've not even mentioned the way Mossop went, largely at prop, for the team that finished 3rd last year! I'm sure he's in for a big season and could even prove to be the prop we've been missing.