If that means we're giving him another deal, Im disappointed. I think we should be moving forward and signing a genuine 6. As has been said, sykes is a make shift half back, and sorry, but there is no room for sentiment in this game. We need to be signing a proper half back.

Go on then, who?

Thomas Bosc and Brett Kearney are ooc at the end of this season, and both are reasonable targets in my opinion.

Bosc is someone i have mentioned before but he is 30 now and these days no more effective than Sykes. And as it stands we have no quota spots available for next year so that rules out Kearney. This year is a bad one for trying to sign halfbacks as there are slim pickings, especially when you're skint. Whilst in an ideal world i'd agree with your original point, it is probably a case of better the devil you know this time round.

I've been wishing all season that a genuine No6 was in line for next season but they do seem to be few and far between.
The more I think of Paul Sykes the more I think he is probably worth another contract. There's no doubt at all we are a better team with him in and although he's no speed merchant his style compliments Tim Smith and brings the best out of him.

At what point does Sykes ever be considered a SL standard 6 when he plays a season and a half at that position and we win substantially more with him than without him? We also play a lot better rugby with him and he gives some creative support for Tim Smith to play off?


If Sykes was playing today at 6 against Bradford there'd be a lot more confidence that it'd be a win for Trinity that's for sure and that's with genuine stand offs like Kay and Goulding in the squad that we are reluctant to play.
IMHO Sykes should be put on another 2 year deal if the price is right.

If Sykes gets another deal, Id hope its only a year.... he's in the twilight of his career and he's spent a lot of time on the tratment table this year, and a two year deal could end up a costly excercise.

Bosc is younger than Sykes, he is a good SL half back and he kicks goals. For me, he's a better option than Sykes. He's two years younger than Sykes too. He also has playoff experience, which is what we're aiming for year on year.

Regarding Kearney, I could be wrong but is he off quota this time on residency grounds or something?

Id also be looking at lee gaskell...hes a young promising half back with some good SL Experience.

Take it that was said "tongue in cheek" as I believe today will be only the 2nd game he has missed this season.

Kinda

that said he's started a few and not finished them, so he's missed more game time than 2.

I'd be talking to both Lee Gaskell and Craig Hall.

I'd take Thomas Bosc especially with the relagation battle next year its better to get something short team just for next year IMO.

Brett Kearney isn't ooc, his deal runs until the end of 2014 season.

Lee Gaskell has signed for the Bulls according to LE.

He's a few years younger than Wilkes and Lauitiiti who are forwards. It should come down to how much money he'd accept and we'd be willing to offer for a perceived injury prone utility back.

I think if he's cheaper on a 2 year deal than a 1 year deal then he may be worth it although he was only offered 1 year last time so more likely that WTW stick with that.

He didn't play half a season at Bradford before coming to us so game time wise should have more in the tank than others at 32 and has probably missed half this season.

I agree he has had a poor season though this year with injuries which should go in our favour as a bargaining chip on a new deal hopefully. On his day a very good SL standard player.

I think if we sign Sykes it won't be as our main stand off. We don't need to much dealing in other positions so expect us to be concentrating on a target for this position.

What like getting a young promising New Zealander in like Issac John who's now playing stand off for NRL Penrith Panthers?

Should be a simple decision to give him a new deal....

He works in our team and it's blatantly obvious how much we miss him and how poorer the team is in general without him......Tim Smith is without doubt our main player but he is a shadow of that player without Sykes to compliment him.....

Those saying he's not a genuine 6 are being a bit harsh IMO......I think he's a very, very underated player, he does all the simple things right, has a good kicking game, can tackle, offers attacking options on the opposite side to Smith....has experience.....a cool head.....can throw a nice pass......etc.....etc.....over the last season and a half we have been a far, far better team with him playing than not.....surely nobody can dispute that....

The bizarre decision this season though...(obviously now with the benefit of hindsight)......was to let Kyle Wood go back to Huddersfield before the end of the season.....crazy, crazy decision that has cost us a chance of a run at the play-offs again.....

Get Sykes signed up ASAP........Tried and tested with this group of players.....if the faith isn't in the younger kids to fill in yet then we need to sign some cover.....something that has killed us these last few weeks....

Sykes should be given an extension to his current deal. He is missed so much at 6, without us having a recognised stand off, and also Lee Smith.

As for playing 6 for the rest of the season, Lee Smith did better at 6 than before. But maybe we should give one of the younger players a run, and give them the rest of the season though now

I am surprised they haven't tried Aiton at 6 before, he has got a wealth of experience in pivotal roles, can pass, got good hands, quick and can step off both feet (his try against Leeds last week proved that). Just not sure on his kicking game

Glad to read he has signed for next season, the squad is building

Reading the Doncaster forum Kaye has been a "revelation" at 6 lately...

They appear gutted that he may be pulling on a Wakey shirt soon.

Strangely enough we find ourselves in need of one. He's scoring tries, setting them up and has quick feet.

Kaye should have had a shot by now at 6 as he's probably the form player out on DR.

Seems a no brainer really

Quote ="Trojan Horse"Reading the Doncaster forum Kaye has been a "revelation" at 6 lately... They appear gutted that he may be pulling on a Wakey shirt soon. Strangely enough we find ourselves in need of one. He's scoring tries, setting them up and has quick feet. Kaye should have had a shot by now at 6 as he's probably the form player out on DR. Seems a no brainer really'" This. See about Addy.... www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... g/?ref=rss

Quote ="Trojan Horse"Reading the Doncaster forum Kaye has been a "revelation" at 6 lately... They appear gutted that he may be pulling on a Wakey shirt soon. Strangely enough we find ourselves in need of one. He's scoring tries, setting them up and has quick feet. Kaye should have had a shot by now at 6 as he's probably the form player out on DR. Seems a no brainer really'" This. See about Addy.... www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... g/?ref=rss

To me Sykes has been really lucky he has had nobody who is any cop challenging him, any remotely decent stand off. Sykes is average but who else is there. We only like Sykes so much because who ever as played there Isac John, Washbrook, LEe Smith have been appauling. Lee Smith played well against Bradford though but his contract is running out? He has other motives probably? If we had no Tim Smith and Sykes was pulling the strings god help us.

Conversely Trinity have been really lucky to have Sykes as none of the options tried have been much cop (although I think John could’ve come good if he had been retained, but that’s another thread). I think everyone agrees that if Trinity could get a better 6 then, yes, replace Sykes, but whether they are available, could Trinity afford them and would they want to come to the club are the key parameters.