Re point 2, a higher place in the final table means more £ (or it did previously)

Yes I think it still does but not certain.

I’m not sure we do need the depth Spook.

We have contracted for next year…

Murphy
Kershaw
Taufua
Lineham

Pretty sure 4 wingers is sufficient. I like the look of Evans but I wouldn’t retain him unless we could free up Linehams contract or a portion of it somewhere.

Hopefully Chris Chester will take Lineham to Leigh, he thought he was good enough to sign for us.

It’s a tough one with Lineham. He obviously came back from injury earlier than he should have and wasn’t fully fit. I also don’t think he was as bad as some were making out though he wasn’t great.

The fact remains that we have 2 years left of his contract. This leaves us with a few options.

We hope he’s regained fitness at featherstone and continue with him in our 2023 squad.

We season loan him out in 2023 to re coup a % of his contract.

We offer him around or look to do some form of a swap deal (though we may have to sub some of his contract).

I think we will have more of sn idea when the team nears completion.

That was used simply to give Pimp an example as to why he wasn't picked, PT has added some better ones. My issue was with the poster and his need to find a negative in everything.

Personally I really rate Evans, but he's not young, he gets injured and he's in bother. I suspect the Saints game sealed the deal and he will be a back up winger next year. Let him carry on in the reserves for now and keep him as fit and fresh as possible for next season. I realise he could get injured there as well but I'm sure you get the idea.

Also I'm not getting why people are treating this game as a dead rubber, it isn't. There is a chance this game could push us to ninth, a very respectable finishing position. It's not a must win but it's definitely a must try to win. In which case Kershaw is the automatic choice, he's one of our best players on form.

After a cold winter people will tend to forget the dire mid season and remember the splendid climax, especially if we win the last game.

Sorry to say that Lineham would be a distant 4th on that list. A cracking bloke, comes across really well and it can be hard to judge when the side is getting beaten every week but, apart from Leeds away, he's been disappointing for us.
Murphy and Kershaw have been outstanding and would be 1 & 2 for me.

Seriously?

I'd never play Lineham again and I'd sign Evans in a heart beat, ten time the player on desire alone.

We are going to have to take the financial hit on Lineham unless some sucker wants him (do us a favour Chessy). What we don't have to do is compound the error by playing him.

One of the cardinal sins of any pro team sport is playing a player purely because you are paying him a lot of money. It's a mistake more often made by fans and directors than coaches, but I'm hopeful that won't happen with us.

I’m not saying I’d play him over the other 3. He would be back up if we were unable to free up his salary or place. It may be just as foolish to sign a 5th winger up with 4 currently signed. If it was a choice between Evans and Lineham I’d go Evans but it’s not that simple.

Starting wingers next season for me would be Murphy and Kershaw. We have got in the habit of winning with them and both for me have gone great. The dilemma for me is where we play Taufua.

Spot on !!!!! a player who can shirk not making a single tackle in 80 minutes will do more harm than good hanging around the club. Totally agree take the hit and keep well away.

Hope I never see Lineham again - in a Wakey shirt or another shirt for that matter. Bloke is a waste of space who has taken the out of this club.

Now let’s make some noise for the Lads
We've now SOLD OUT of our allocation of tickets for tomorrow night!
If you haven't got your ticket yet, you can get yours at the John Smith's Stadium tomorrow night.

It seems from recent communications we are keen to sign Shaul...

With it being on record about the cuts in spending.....I know we've shifted a lot of salary cap with the departures...but I do wonder in an attempt to save money whether we'll try out Jowitt at 6 next season?

He's without doubt for me the best passer of the ball at the club....his kicking game is improving...he's an excellent goalkicker as back up to Lino and defensively he's got a lot better...you only have to look at the highlights from the last couple of games to see he has the quality to open up defences and supply that killer pass and also has a knack of supporting a breaking player...

If funds are tight and spent better in other positions I may be ok with Jowitt and Lino as halves, Shaul at full back and Gaskell as cover...

Be interesting to see how we play it...

As cover, sure. As starting So? I'd want someone with experience who can lead.

Well if we sign Shaul I can't see us signing a half back...

1 pivot out in Miller won't equal 2 in with Shaul and another...

I don't see it anyway?

We've got TJ, Tupou, Miller, Fifita, Arona and Batch wages to spend.

I'd be happy to spend all Fifita on a new prop, Arona I'd spend on a 13, half TJ to boost Murphy, same with Hall. Tupou's on Shaul, Miller + Ayden on a quality stand off and Batch on a young forward, probably a prop
And if we can off load Lineham I'd use on another forward

I don't normally get involved in recruitment, and as much as I don't mind Shaul I'd be disappointed if they signed him over Max

I think you’re doing what we all do. It’s true we do have those wages free, however those wages were negotiated under the old Sky deal.

I’m no accountant but my guess would be that if you were to sign all those players today you’d have to offer them 20% less.

So you have a choice I suppose. You either try and recruit similar players on lesser salaries - not easy. You’d assume agents and players would realise there was less cash about and be more realistic but I wouldn’t bet on it.

Or you maintain the quality but sign approx one less. Unpopular with fans but easily the better option imho.

Its here that your academy comes into play. If Mash has got it right there will now be a few players hitting 20 who are capable of covering in emergencies. Not ideal but needs must.

There are certainly three players we need to see push on this season, that’s Eseh and Shaw and Bowes assuming we are retaining them. Ditto any others. Relatively low wages but with a point to make and a career to build.

Some will say this is risky and doing it on the cheap. I would say it’s playing to your strength and cashing in your investment. I know it’s a cliche but there is no point having an academy if you don’t use it and WP has stated he will and has certainly trusted youth so far.

The big test will hopefully be in two years time when possibly all the players have made it. By then you’d hope the money situation would be far better.

Fair point. I'd knocked one of the forwards off my list.
But I would get a proven quality half back and keep Murphy and Hall first. Then a Fifita replacement. Then see what's left.

It's a good job [isomebody[/i at the club is then Vasty......




Agree with what you say about the acadamy players - it appears we have some young gems there.....

Why do we never see a quality half back coming through from the academy? I suppose the last really good one was Nigel Wright and that is going back a long way

Because you don't see them anywhere not just Trinity. They are as rare as hens teeth and I don't know why, even in Oz there are less than there used to be.

So I'm guessing you didn't rate Danny Brough first time around. Huge fan as I was of Wrighty Brough was just as good if a different style and was far more durable.

Didn’t Matty Willie come through as a halfback then transition to a 9? He was the last I remember coming through who went on to make some decent appearances.

Maybe Paul Handforth. It’s been sp though.

I think part of the reason is that we pigeon hole players to early.
Too small too slow must be a forward etc. They need to have time to develop and decide what they want to do as well. Same in any industry to be honest.

Forgot about Brough but didn't we let him go to Dewsbury then York then Hull and Castleford before he really came good then Huddersfield outbid us then back to us when it was too late