There appears to be little news on player retention ( re-signing &/or extending contracts ) I do hope we don't go all season like last years pre text ie, we don't know whether we will be in super league so we cannot offer contracts, players will simply walk in order to secure a future.
We all know the clubs problems but I would like to see some movement etc.

I think this has been covered in great depth already.

Don’t worry, be happy

Maybe we’re seeing what happens after the World Cup?!

Must admit can see were you are coming from . There is no way we will survive next season with the squad we have got .

It's the same every season, for every team.
Just because they haven't told you personally, doesn't mean nothing is happening.

Every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry be happy.
Keep smiling Bobby McFerrin

Of course we could, we’ve done it umpteen times before. However you wouldn’t want to risk it if you didn’t have to.

That said I’d be more than happy starting the season with one quota spot free, and some cash for domestic signings squirrelled away. Smart move and gives us great flexibility.

Player signings may be a little concerning...but only a little. No club's squad is finalised yet.

Player retentions are less concerning. Yes, we want to keep the likes of Shaw, but if we haven't kept him, it seems no-one else has picked him up (for example).

Either he's still with Wakey, or he's (for example), not the hot property some would have us believe.

(For clarity, I strongly hope we have Shaw tied up!)

Hull KR seem to be the first out with their finalised squad, can’t imagine it’ll be too long until other clubs are doing the same.

Yeah I think most clubs are further along the road regarding recruitment for next season than us. We do need further strength because Leigh will be a stronger challenge than Toulouse were last season! I'm not too concerned at the moment, but whoever we sign if/when is going to miss a large part of the pre-season training they put so much importance on!

I would imagine the world cup didn't quite throw up the gem that we may have hoped for, so may be looking at options elsewhere, but it seems to be painfully slow progress.

I’d rather us take abit longer and attract the right player for us then a player with a poor attitude that plays when he feels like it. I feel MC and MA have really stressed this to the fans. They said they are receiving countless enquiries a day from agents etc, they have targets. I’m confident everything will fall into place.

Is there going to be promotion and relegation from SL next season or, will we have moved to the new IMG formula ?

Even though it would possibly mean a miserable season on field, if it's a case of ticking boxes "off field", maybe, we should spend whatever funds are available to ensure that we are one of the 12 clubs with a "higher grade" ?

It would be absolutely gut wrenching to finish 8,9,10 and still get dropped from the top flight.

Of course, the full criteria hasn't been agreed yet and no doubt, someone, somewhere, is working on a list of criteria to ensure that certain clubs are elevated up the pecking order ?

I believe promotion and relegation still applies.

I agree with your thoughts, but I also think promotion/relegation is with us next season.

Correct. It definitely still applies 2023.

I listened to the full 80 minutes on YouTube last night. The main topic was IMG, and the problem with not announcing the criteria until the end of 2023 season. Craig Harrison the players agent believes the uncertainty at the moment has hurt the transfer market this off season, not just because clubs have less money, due to having to pay back the government Covid loans, poor season ticket sales and the fact that the demographic of RL fans age groups, amongst other things. One interesting point was that, if the promotion club next season was one who couldn’t achieve a better licensing grade than the relegated SL club then would the promotion club still be allowed into super league?. It’s understandable that some championship clubs aren’t spending money until IMG provide full details.

Yes they would have if both clubs are B licence clubs. As I understand it if a B licence club finishes bottom of SL and a B Licence club finishes top of champ then they will be promoted/relegated as such. I wouldn’t have thought that a C licence club would be allowed entry even if they finish top.

Are the A,B and C licensing just that, or A+ A - etc. promoted club gets a B- and relegated club B+, then what?

So, 1 up 1 down next season and then the "all new" IMG plan ?

Yes that’s it, the IMG changes do not kick in until the end of the 2024 season, however the club’s will know their ratings.

In terms of retention, I think It`s concerning to hear when the club just don`t seem to let some players know at all what's going on when there contracts expiring, if I was a player that had the option of joining the club I would probably be put off by that kind of behaviour.

And you know that how? You seriously believe that's what happens?

I do, I have no idea why a player would just completely make it up to be fair.

I am sure you will know if Croft and Shaw are staying if the club are so open in keeping the supporters for example up to date. I don’t remember them ever confirming Evans departure, why the secrecy only they will know. I suppose who you believe depends on your own view of the club, you for example support without question which is your choice, I don’t until they prove me wrong.

Evans never heard himself; https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/exclusiv ... lub-63124/

Evans never heard himself; https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/exclusiv ... lub-63124/