Have no idea where we will be playing next year - but do we seem to have more players on contract for next year than has been the case in last two years, or is it just wishful thinking on my part ,

Jowit am sure someone can be more definitive
Lineham
Croft?
Lynne ?
Kershaw
Gale
Lino
Smith ?
Whitbread ?
Bowles ?
Fafita (think we/he has option on second year )
Bowden?
Battye ?
Atoni ?
Shaw ?
Pitt’s
Ashurst - think his contract expires end this year
Kaye
Crowther ?
Eseh

Griffin reputed 2 year deal
Langi ?
Hood - 2024
Dagger ? 1 year deal when he signed
Franco ?
Proctor was 1 year deal
Tanginoa ?

Corrected from what I believe to be true. I’ll update with contract years later and do a full list.

Cheers

Be complete madness to not tie Dagger down to a decent length deal ,the lad has most definitely deserves it.

Tbh in order (assuming fafita deal was done)
Whitbread
Eseh
Dagger
Bowden
Atoni based on post Dave arrival.
Bowles
Franco

Don’t think tanginoa worth an overseas super league slot - obviously different rules in championship

Let's leave next years squad to the club, all that matters just now is SL survival.
4/5 weeks ago, we were dead an buried but, now, we have a realistic chance of avoiding the drop and should we do so, we need a better squad than we have now.

Strange comment about Tangianoa by Kirmudgeonly though ?? Kelepi is worth a spot all day long

Kelepi is worth a spot.....when he's playing.

Really ? Based on his performances 2 years ago if you have a limited budget need players that play , I like tanginoa but truly what’s he contributed recently ?

4 games this season - lost every game - I don’t blame him for that but he’s a big earner that’s not playing

Wasn’t suggesting I pick the team for next year was just interested to see where we were in comparison to previous seasons

To me, the success of the squad revolves around the overseas players.
Proctor, Taufua and Atoni and to a certain extent Langi have under performed this year and that has probably been the biggest issue for us.
They aren't the worst players and have got better, but a team like ours needs recruits with recent NRL experience to absolutely lead the team forward.

Class overseas players cost plenty of wonga and obviously we were working to a tight budget hence why we had to take a gamble on the players we did . If it had come off it would have been hailed a master stroke but it’s left the club in a precarious position . On top of that we’ve had players drop out left right and centre , some long term some short , but all contributing to an unsettled team where it’s had to continually chop and change . When you look back to last season we scraped by with a more settled and quality team , so it’s little wonder we are we’re we are .

All overseas players are a gamble and these days, as you say, proven NRL players, even towards the end of their careers, cost plenty, much more than we've had available.
Having said that, the improvement in Atoni since Fifita came back has been staggering, he looked like a real quality forward v Wigan.

I'm not blaming them for this season. There are loads of factors to that.

But overseas players are crucial to a successful team.

Need to move on some of the “oldies” - I see some people have brought up James Roby but he is a freak of nature.

I hope we sign up a few of our younger lads on long term deals.

Bowes
Eseh
Croft

Are three that I believe will in the next 2-5 years develop into regulars.

Not sure about Croft yet.
As soon as Law and Pratt have another years development under their belt I think they'll eclipse him.

Bowes is already a regular to me

Once again I think our SL status will determine who re-resigns - I reckon Sam Eseh would be on his way. I think that lad has a big future.

He does but a full year in the championship would do his development good too. I’m sure the club are doing all they can with Eseh but he is as it stands contracted till end of 2024. I would imagine even if relegated he would command a fee.