Phelps is only going to get better in the fullback role and to be honest I would have him if he keeps up these performances until he retires.

Competetion for places doesn't do any harm!

I would love to see Phelps in the halves with his running around the back.

I just feel we could get better players in other positions using quota spots. Briscoe would be awesome, nothing better than a local lad playing in a key position! He is a much much better player than when he played for us, he is the best FB this country has! Phelps is not as good in defence I feel but maybe a little better in attack, although he does no score as many tries as briscoe.

IL in his interview on the club's site says they'd been looking between 9-12 months. Also when the Border Agency rules changed in Sept they applied immediately for MaGuire's RFL permission. They got it within days.
The visa would be 3-4 weeks from there.

So, Maguire was the man from Sept or before and no doubt has been sent videos of all games since, poss including reserves. He will know who he's looking at and will decide who says and who doesn't.
As Bilko's thread started, players can't afford a slow start to the season.

With the rumours around now about trial games, it maybe that we play more than last year especially with the whole first team playing.

sounds fare to me

I hope not. I hate friendlies anyway but the christmas one at Wire last season was a complete waste of time. We know for certain we'll be playing Leigh away.

Shutup good excuse to get together at Xmas for a session. Plus there's no such thing as a friendly v the enemy

Agree

Oct-feb is just to long between innings..a little friendly helps the shacks

Is this a kind of game that will make us 'hit the ground running' when it comes to the new season? Too many times have we had a poor start.

We need to plan our matches very carefully.

Keep Phelps, looking very good at the moment and I can only see his one on ones and catching the high ball improving.

His support play when we make breaks needs to improved also.

Phelps or Widdop the kid that is tearing it up in the Toyota Cup for Melbourne? British, knows our coach and described as Slater without the brain farts!

Paul Prescott, Lee Mossop and Mike McIlorum would be signed up now if I was Ian Lenagan.

Hope we arrange as many friendlies as possible and against super league teams. We don't want anymore 'Wire' games that were just a complete waste of time.

All three need to be signed ASAP.

Mossop is a huge talent IMO

Widdop is an exceptional talent, i have seen most of his games over the past two seasons.
Another positive which would also make him a good addition is that he started at the Storm at half back and five eighth which he looked just as comfortable at.

Release:
Andy Coley
Darrell Goulding
Stuart Fielden

Unsure - depends on what MM can do with them:
Karl Pryce
Iafeta Paleaaesina

Keep:
Cameron Phelps (assuming his development continues at current rate)
Harrison Hansen
Mike McIlorum
Lee Mossop
Paul Prescott

I believe we have four friendlies, Saints, Warrington (Leigh and Huddersfield) not quite sure on those last two.

Agree with your released players list, and add Bailey and Carmont if as expected they sign for a further year.

I would run with an unsure list of-

Pryce

Hansen (i like him but we have major comp in the backrow now needs to keep ahead of Farrell to justify a new deal, which he probably will)

Phelps (again i think he has really come on but with the quota dropping he needs to continue his performances another player i rate highly but would just see how next year pans out. If there were no quota issue he would be in my list of retentions.

Retain

The rest of them I have added Feka as he offers something a little bit different to every other Prop in the game, he has his faults but for mine he most of the time is a great asset to the team, for both effectiveness and entertainment value.

[uYes[/u
George Carmont - 1 year deal for next season, after that it depends how his body's holding up but I think that'll be it.

Phil Baiey - 1 year deal for next season, depends on his form and Farrell's progress after that but I think it'll be the end of the line for him too.

Harrison Hansen - Keep, 2/3 years

Mike McIlorum - Keep, 2/3 years

Lee Mossop - Keep, 2/3 years

Paul Prescott - Keep, 2/3 years

Cameron Phelps - Keep, 2/3 years, whether that would be as a full back depends on whether his defence improves. If he stays the same I'd be tempted to sign a full back but keep him on as a centre to replace Carmont.

[uMaybe[/u
Iafeta Paleaaesina - Depends on his shape and form, I'm not that bothered about stamina as 35ish minutes is fine for an impact prop but he needs to be quicker getting back and moving across in defense and a few more drives wouldn't go amiss

Karl Pryce - Needs drastic improvement, if we get this he's in contention for Carmont's spot, but if he stays the same he'll be gone super quick.

[uNo[/u
Andy Coley - Good but not good enough for trophies IMO, plus he'll be 32.

Darrell Goulding - He's been around ages and never made his mark, now Ainscough, Vievers, Thornley etc need a shot.

Stuart Fielden - Seems to be limited to about five decent games a season now, can't believe how far he's fallen, definitely get rid and his cap room will be very useful indeed.

That would leave us needing a stand off/scrum half (which we need already IMO) and between 1 and 3 props depending on how Paleaaesina and O'Carroll progress.

We are definately playing Leigh at the Sports Village

the year after also IIRC?

Bringing back boxing day v Saints = Best decision ever





The first ever game I saw was boxing day '00

Spot on. Phelps is no where near the finished article yet, all though he definatly deserves the 1 shirt next year, He needs to improve his backing up, and work under the high ball. Nobody can doubt his heart or his guts.

And I think he has it in him to continue to improve. I think Maguire might be able to bring him on that next step.

Good news if you are correct.

I hope all the teams put out the best side they can and we can get some real good preperation for the new season. It is what has let us down this year our awful start to the season.

Agreed, those friendly's should be tough as long as they are used correctly. Leigh will be stubborn under Millward, but it should be a chance to practice some set plays.