So which of our back row would you drop for Mariano?

Matt Ryan is a solid enough player, can't fault his commitment, like a harder version of Kevin Henderson, but Mariano has got a bit of class and would easily replace Washy in the pack for me. It's all about opinions but Mariano is a proven tackle buster/try scorer. That's enough to convince me.

And with Smith would be even better but I'd like Washy for his defence.

Apparently linked with Richard Horne for next season, if he carries on after this season.

Matt Ryan looked a good prospect at Parramatta but he did not fit with the plans of the new coach.

All teams need experience but to what degree????

Considering retirement, doubt we'll offer him a new deal with Pryce, Sneyd, Ranking, Abdul and HTW all as halves next year.

I've suggested Horne for 2 seasons now but he's heading into coaching now apparently.
No reason to take an old man now who has struggled with injury.

Nick Scruton wrote:
I didn’t think it (the transfer) would have affected my game as much as it did but those first few weeks I was garbage and some of the fans didn’t hesitate in telling me. I’ve not had that for a long time so I’m just glad I’m starting to show people what I’m capable of and why Wakefield signed me, and I’ve been rewarded with a two-year deal. As a prop forward at my age, hopefully I’ll be playing my best rugby for Wakefield Wildcats


I'm happy with this signing and think he's bang on in his thoughts. He admits to not being up to scratch. Change is one of the hardest things in life and to leave a club he clearly loved must have been difficult. You can't switch on and love another club over night nor would I want badge kissing. He's growing to like the place and hopefully he'll love it as much if not more by the end of his stay. He's now showing a good run of form and I think and he states he feels his best years are ahead of him. If anyone sees anything wrong here please say.

There's been many a big named signings crashed and burned in all sports, Willie Mason, Torres etc. You never know and have to take educated risks. I'd have taken this one and hope he rips it up. If anyone questions his loyalty I'm sure Nick choosing us should put that to bed! Lets get on and support the lad!!

Quite clearly he wasn't playing to the best of his ability early on but what I would say is who was under Agar this season? He seems to be warming to the place and if he starts enjoying his rugby and the fans get behind him I truly belief we'll have a cracking player.

The Scruton under Agar wasn't worth a deal. The Scruton under Webster is. If he is now settled and can keep up his recent form then its a good move.

As assistant coach i presume? If its as a player it would be a poor move.

Yes sadly three or four seasons ago yes but not now plus as stated I believe if he retires he is joining the Hull coaching staff.

Apparently if he is to carry on playing you'll be interested, but he's expected to join our coaching staff more than likely our 19s coach.

I think we should steer clear of Horne - he's done.

A couple of months ago, I'd have balked at Scruton, but the way he's played the past few games, this is a good signing; a relatively young (in prop years) English forward who, on a good day, is a really destructive runner. If JW can coax more good days than bad out of him, he'll be a great addition.

Personally I like a strong 4 prop team.

Anderson, Scruton, Moore and Tautai are really good for us, with Smith and Raleigh as cover

We need to sign up Moore and replace Tautai with an impact prop. I'm thinking the young props are not ready to step up yet and I quite like Smith as 13 sometimes so good to have a good option to use instead of him as 100% prop.
The props in modern day are really important for a successful team. We are building pretty well there.

A good signing.....will be even better now he's settled and wants to be here....hopefully can settle in fully and rediscover some of that form that got him into the England set up.....

It just shows though how easy it is to find scapegoats when the team are being beaten and not performing to their best....and then heap praise when we are winning and things are going well....

Statistically Scruton's first 3 games under Webster were below what he was generally achieving before....his carries, metres made and average gain were poor in comparison.....he bettered them in 7 of his previous 12 games....his all round stats (under Webster) average around what he has been doing the whole season....give or take a couple of good performances and a couple of bad ones.....so there really hasn't been the major improvement everyone seems to be seeing....or at least the stats don't suggest so

I'll go with my own eyes and Scruton's admission that he found it tough at the beginning of his time here, Catalans game aside. Also a wide range of posters clearly have seen an improvement in the guy. I think the major difference is how he takes the ball in. Previously it was a bit of a trundle, now he takes it up full pelt. For a prop that's the most obvious contribution to the game for supporters so that's could be why the stats suggest there has bee no major change dispute most people's thoughts.

Scrutton does finally look like he's finding some decent form.
Whether this is down to the change of coach or just realizing that his future is at Wakefield (and not Bradford) doesn't matter.
The guy is a good quality prop and we should be pleased that he is in form and on board for 2 more years.

I thought Horne played well against us -injected pace and good ball distribution.
It goes without saying that out priority should be the signing of Tim Smith, but much of that is probably out of our control, at least for now.

Absolutely - what stats don't tell you is the damage a destructive prop forward does when he hits the line; metres gained may be broadly the same, but stats don't account for the physical and psychological toll it inflicts on the opposition defenders to keep having to put themselves in front of a big 'orrible prop forward.

He is without question an improved player in recent weeks - stats be damned!

I would have thought that Craig Hall would be able to do a better job than Horne if put into the halfbacks.

Just listened to his Radio Leeds interview and he was talking about Timmy screaming at him on the field no wonder the lad is running on to the ball!
Been solid for us since TS and JW came in.

Any English players who signs for us are showing great commitment because it means they are willing to put their international careers on hold.

Horne has pretty much been done since 2008 when he had a serious neck injury and got diabetes. Been a great servant for us (Hull) but he shouldn't get another deal with Hull, we can't be sentimental with him.