Not going for the obvious, to fill in for the time being if we could make some signings I'd like to see...

Lawrence (West tigers- centre)
Soward (St G-Halfback/stand off)
Malone (Cowboys-centre)
Williams (Manly-wing/centre)
Dugan (Canberra-FB)

All would be excellent adding to our team.

I'm not really worried about the long term future of our backs tbh. I think it looks in pretty good shape with Sam leading a cracking young bunch of players. We've got Goulding in there who's still pretty young and guys like Marsh and Charnley look real talents. We then recently had pretty much the full backline for the England u18's side so there must be some cracking talent amoungst that lot.

Theres obviously always going to be some imports in and around the squad aswell and hopefully one in Pat Richards will be here for a good spell yet. The only real area of concern in the backs I can see coming up anytime soon will be who replaces Gleeson when he's ready to hang the boots up(presuming somebody like Charnley will have already replaced Carmont).

Agreed.

Hooker for me is a priority over Prop even if Fielden does leave.

We can dream

Indeed we can, sad thing is I didn't even go for the obvious names such as Lockyer, Slater, Inglis, Smith etc...

I know yeah, Soward and Dugan are only young and Dugan in particular will be looking for rep footy in the next two year. So doesnt look like he'll come over. However this time 4 months ago I didnt think Hoffman would come over.

Heard rumours Saints are after Tony Williams so he may be worth a look.

Tony williams would be great signing, he's massive!

Ive heard saints are linked with him but can't see it.

Yeah mate, Brilliant player who would add alot to Super league. Big and powerful with decent pace. Hes scored plenty off tries this season, mainly thanks to Jamie Lyon inside him.

So did Ade Gardner and we all know how good he is.

Jamie Soward is the worst tackler I have ever seen

Tim Smith?



But I agree hes had some bad efforts in defence, remember one where GI throw him away like a child. Think its on youtube

Thats a big call, our full back two years ago was not too hot on the defence part of his game

Agreed, Soward isn't the best tackler I've seen, but his passing, step, organisation, kicking game are very good.

In fact I would say Tim Smith is a better tackler, maybe on a par with Mathers but his kicking and organising is something special, it's just he couldn't tackle a big dinner.

Getting back to signings, if Fielen does re-sign then I can only see there being one signing if that. Apart from the 9 shirt there's no other position that a signing would be needed for.
Should TL be given the hooking job with McIlorum and Deacon goes for another year then I'd be very surprised if we brought another player in.

We wouldnt need another player. The only quetion marks then would be if we retained Phelps and Pryce

I would have to disagree, Maguire's judgement has been proven to be correct once again in relation to the Tomkins fullback move. We surely should try and keep him there, bringing in a new hooker would allow us to do this as well as hopefully replacing the guile and creativity around the ruck that Riddell gives / gave us.

Keeping Phelps and Pryce on would be good for the squad but I don't think either are necessities.

Richie Myler was dropped from the squad today as we all know.
Apparently after being dropped by Tony Smith for the Challenge Cup semi he greeted his boss after the game with a hearty 'F*ck Off!'
And that's the reason he wasn't in the 17 today. That's from a VERY good source.

Myler played in the semi didnt he?

Yes, scored a try and a goal

No questions marks over Phelps - he's gone. Not worth a quota spot.

He's easily worth one imo. I'd also keep Pryce as well.

I think my opinion of Phelps is well-known now. He isn't worth a quota spot. He played one and half games at the start of the season (against Crusaders & Hull KR at home) and was average, but since then he has been very poor when he was called upon. Against Salford away he looked very slow and off the pace & was completely embarrassed at Sheffield Eagles. He isn't a top Super League fullback - like Amos Roberts/Sam Tomkins - and is very average in any other position he plays in due to his lack of pace/acceleration. I don't buy into the fact he gives us great squad depth because of this. You also have to consider his value as a utility player because I think he hampers the opportunities of Josh Charnley, Stefan Marsh etc. Also when you compare him to our other quota players - Brett Finch, Jeff Lima, Ryan Hoffman, Amos Roberts - he isn't even in the same league as them. He was a rejected youngster from Canterbury who wasn't good enough for the NRL. At the time he was just a stop gap & now we no longer need him. We have Sam Tomkins & Amos Roberts who are light years ahead of Cameron Phelps at fullback (I would have hoped their performances just highlight how average Phelps was). And we don't need a quota spot to be taken up by a utility player and we now certainly don't need one for fullback. I think the free spot could be better used in another position such as at hooker to replace Riddell or at prop to strengthen the forwards or to perhaps replace Fielden. Then again it could just be kept free in case an opportunity to strengthen mid-season arises.

I think what speaks volumes of Cameron Phelps is that he is being shown the door at Wigan, but no club as of yet has even been linked with him. He is VERY average. Likeable lad with a brave heart, but not good enough for a side with title ambitions.

Or he doesn't have an overly-ambitious agent. I understand your point in regards to his ability (not that I agree) but you don't honestly believe that when a player is linked to a club it is always because that club is interested in the player do you?

As a sub. He was dropped from the starting line up.

No need to think, you got it right. He scored after coming off the subs bench.