He’ll love it over here , (maybe not the weather ) especially at a club that is now more than ever one big happy family . Home sickness is obviously a fly in the ointment that has struck the best of overseas players , but if he does go it won’t be because he’s not enjoyed his time here . Obviously we can’t compete with NRL wages as deep as our pockets are now , but if he’s as good as they say I’m sure they’ll try their best

That is exactly how I see the situation. You can't build your team in one season. I bet we have already got players on our radar for the season after next.

If you watch the latest Youtube video with Ste Mills he says that recruiting for 2026 can officially start in December this year for those players OOC in 2025

Which also means that our players can be approached (such as Max Jowitt).

A fair bit of business to be done next 2 months!

To let Max be approached would be a mistake when his next 5 years will be his best and when fullbacks typically hit their prime years.

Suspect the club may be a few yards in front of you on that - after all if they were planning for 2025 last November think they may already have a plan for 2026 …

On a separate note given that Huddersfield are talking about Jacob miller for next year (a player who I thinks been great but injury and age have taken there toll ) am suddenly starting to feel a lot happier about next season - just shows how clubs are struggling for players

So all power to the club for planning so far in advance - it’s slim pickings right now

Definitely and beyond

Depends how you look at it.
Giants and Hull fans would say we are basing our season on two of their cast offs. It's all relative.
I think they'll be great for us but I also think Miller is better than some fans think and could go well at Giants.
.......though I think he's going home.

From what I’ve heard Millers going home

Agree about Miller ,but it is wait and see for me about the two cast offs Would have been a lot happier if the contracts had been shorter ,would have given the club options .

They probably wouldn't have come then. It's not likecwe are their only option.
And it shows we are long term planning.

Then you’ve got to factor in their “desire” to play for Wakefield Trinity!
If they only want to come on a long term contract (not saying they do) or they’re off elsewhere, then they’re just a gun for hire and are only playing for a pay packet

Regarding quality of signings for next season. Does it really matter where we finish (assuming we go up) league wise? If IMG are still onboard surely there’s no one in the championship that can overtake us points wise. Especially if we keep improving our points.

If we don't perform we're unlikely to boost the IMG score which leaves us vulnerable to a Toulouse or even Bradford. We will have maxed out what we can and need the off field stuff to further which needs a successful team (crowds, SM interactions, revenue etc)

We won't have the points from Grand Final or 1895 next year so we need to keep all the other things ticking over.
It'll help if we have a high league position.

Exactly this, we need to make up those points by finishing away from the bottom next season.

Top half of the league and average over 7,500 should be of benefit

Think we're at 7.2k capacity.

Mat has mentioned that if we look like reaching full ground capacity, he would be looking at reinstalling those 500 seats behind the south end goal line and the flats, just as we had for 2 seasons until the new stand was completed.

Lots of new faces watching this season who without being disrespectful ,some won’t realise that we are full time playing part time squads and just see the one sided scoreline and think we are invincible , which I presume will end abruptly next season . So for me, in my opinion we need to hit the ground running if we are to keep these new faces and secure their long term commitment to the club in way of season ticket sales , before reality hits when we take a beating or two , which is fine for the battle hardened fans , but not for the newbies I fear . The squad we have assembled is far beyond anyone’s expectations but it will still take time to bed in and will be up against experienced battle Hardened teams looking for an easy 2 points .I’m rambling on a bit but the gist is to keep fans coming we need a winning team as soon as possible ,because we all know how fickle fans are ,and it doesn’t take much at all for crowds to dwindle.

Looking at our squad ,it reminds me of the Pearman era where we assembled a quality team , but this time we have a man in charge who actually has money and the players won’t be racing up town to get their cheque in first before the inevitable bouncing starts

You mean the squad that NEVER got paid, not once!

Don’t see the similarities tbh. That squad was full of top players at the end of their careers. This squad is full of players who are about to hit there peak years. Also had nowhere near as many up and coming youngsters. For me the only similarity was the wage bill.

But agre that at least this time we can afford them.

Exactly how I see it. We picked up some players on a real downward curve too at the tail end.

There is cap space left so I imagine though we’ve spent more there’ll be good wiggle room for another 1/2 if needed or a real quality pick up down the line.

First few through the banks doors did the rest unfortunately didn’t . The more you hear about those days the more ridiculous it sounds . Like someone saying they’d won the lottery and will give you a shed load ,and you going out and buying a roller without first getting money in the bank , incredible naivety or serious mismanagement at the highest level .

A light hearted comparison nothing more , hence the smile , which if you were one of those unfortunate players it was anything but