With all the injuries we have in this department at the moment, wondered if a potential short term loan signing of the young Half Back from Wigan (Tomkins) could be a solution. Doesn't look like Noble is going to give him a game anytime soon, and I know the Wigan fans think he should be playing.

Could be a win win situation (same as Halley)

Jon H, I know you are a Wigan fan, whats your view on him and his likely availability?

great young player cant see Wigan doing that

For me i'd play our backs something like this;

1. Blaymire
2. Gleeson
3. Martin
4. Atkins
5. Blanch
6. Halley
7. JD

With Luke George on the bench. Not sure if DH has much/if any experince at 6 or 7 but with all the injuries we have we don't have much to lose. DH has pace to burn and think if JD could make a break down the middle he could be off if he followed, seems to have good support play.

Nothing wrong with JD's kicking game on Sunday. Two kicks, two tries.

Sam should be fit for the Wire game.

Maybe an attempt to loan Eastmond from Saints may be an idea for a month...

Thats not a bad call, I had forgot about him. Has got more first team experience as well. Although I suppose as someone has already said about Tomkins, it is probably unlikely Saints will let him out on loan

There seems to be a view that Obst may be out for a couple of weeks yet. Even if he isn't, having only one recognised half back in my opinion is not the way to go (assuming that we can do something about it). JK has already mentioned that it is more difficult to create opportunities and break teams down without specialist playmakers.

Halley is not a half back.

Sam should be back so I'd play him at 7 and I'd move JD to 6.

He's played 6 a couple of times before and done well there. He had agreat game at 6 against Wigan last year. Always strong with ball in hand and likes to take on the line.

Plus we have plenty of cover in the back row with Snitch, Hendo, Fergy & Pitts.

JK may use Martin at 6 or 13 and move Atkins into the .

He won't be moving then, thats where he's played the last two games.

someone correct me if im wrong, but im pretty sure Halley may have made his super league debut against us last year or the season before at belle vue playing in the halves.

From where exactly?

Typo on my part

Doh!

leeds often loan kids out, im amazed we havent got somebody in for fridays game already.

Vastman to answer your question, on the Anyone Back Next Week thread, there was a suggestion made by "Cats Mad" that he had heard that Sam had a back injury and would be out for 2-3 weeks.

I am new to these forums so don't know how reliable the information will be (and to be fair it was quoted as not been 100%).

In any event, bearing in mind he broke down last week with the hamstring problem, I would be suprised if Sam will be 100% fit, and if he isn't it goes without saying he shouldn't play

Wigan refused to loan Tomkins out last year to Cas i think, it was an on off deal that caused a real stink between Brian Noble and Ian Lenagan, resulting in a last minute about turn and Sam not going.

I would be very suprised to see him go out on loan this year, even though in my eyes if he is not playing first team at Wigan (which i think he should be) he is not developing as he is far far ahead of anything in the reserves, and i include Eastmond in that. Sadly it will not happen though, but with a bit of luck when Noble is sacked he will get his chance, given Nobles reluctance to play junior talent unless his hand is forced, he only picked Sean Ainscough due to an injury crisis who was our star player vs Cas and the same with Joel Tomkins last year.

Eastmond i think is too close to first team selection to be going out on loan, i expect he will get some signifcant game time with Saints in the not too distant.

just so you know i got told by a good freind who was told by sam himself.

while we keep going on about covering half backs would it not be best to blood our young kids(wildie)rather than blood other clubs kids.i for one if wildie isnt ready ( cant say myself as i aint seen him play) and we want to bring somone in for a month as that is all ythat is needed i would go for experiance ie moran,harris.

How about Ratchford from Salford. Not outstanding but maybe more realistic, not playing at the moment?
Think it may be too early regarding younger players from U18's TBH

Of course you were



We shall see, I'll believe it when I see it - this not being the most reliable source of info in the past.

What about Kyle Woods at Sheffield he is going well..................not sure if he would like to come back

Why the panic, you can't just go out and sign players at moments like this, all it does is disrupt the team. Signings should be planned and we don't need a half back long term and any player worth his salt will see that. Obst may well play on friday, Brough is only weeks away as is Latu. Even Southernwood is due back soon, not that IMO he is ready for SL. As for Wood he is no better than Davy or Wildy in the Academy.

Drew, Obst and Martin will have to hold the fort - it's that simple.

Why Trinity fans go into a blind panic I have no idea, what next bring back Ronnie Troutman.

moran or harris? give me a break

would expect Obst to be on the field Friday, He can't have been that far off if he was in the 19; like wise with Scully. Salford at home is not a game to rushy your 50/50s back for, i would suggest that Warrington would be.

Will expect Maritn to line up in the 6 position; will have to play better than he did on Sunday.

Are you a complete joke or just not very bright? Martin is not a 6 but has manfully stepped in and had a dig, put in a couple of very nice kicks and didn't put a foot wrong in defense all game on Sunday.

i know this might sound mad but if scully is fit and available why not play him at stand off??? he is a ball playing forward with a eye for a gap gotta kicking game and thinks he is a half back anyway!!!

well its just an idea