dont agree jamie, ellis will not make it in SL not good enough mate

Fully agree.

Those other players maybe effecting my opinion on this as we could just get to the point where most of our pack will be getting towards the end of their careers, as will the fact that the does play many minutes, it might catch up with him.

On that, I'd say that if anything, keeping him for longer is the solution. If, for arguments' sake, Manu signs a 3 year deal, only giving Tickle a further 2 on top of his existing deal (if he'd take it) would see him, Ellis and Manu all leave in the same year, a similar problem to what we're about to face with our front row. That's either a lot of recruitment needed, or a high dependence on youth all making the grade. Giving him longer provides more stability for both us [iand[/i him.

Plus, if we wait for next year and look to be offering a 2 year extension (I personally think always waiting until the last year of a contract should be something we look to put an end to, as well. It just invites complications), he'll have clubs sniffing around him and we'll be drawn into competing for his signature. If we offer 4 now I think he'd be more likely to just take it and it's done and dusted.

You could still offer him a extension now?

That would take him to 2014/5 then we'd be a stronger position having the pull of his testimonial and we'd be able to backout due to poor form/injuries.

Possibly.

I just think it's slightly shabby to effectively plan for such a situation for Tickle when we haven't others. It's practically saying to him we don't think he'll be any good by that age and that his efforts for us so far count for little. If I were in his shoes it really wouldn't make me feel like the club valued me much when I know they're offering out deals to players who'll be older, and I'd be telling my agent to see what else is out there if that's how things are.

Think a back row of Ellis, Tickle, Manu & Westerman backed up by Whiting & youngsters will be very strong, BUT I fear they are pricing themselves out of the market.

IF we want to win things players have to demonstrate some restraint, an extra 20K on their contract is 20K less to spend elsewhere.

To me this is another sympton of buying in most of the players, locals definitely have more loyalty.

Absolutely understand them all wanting to earn as much as they can, they are great players who have served us well & need their last contract to be as lucrative as possible.

The Leeds model works best, mainly locals who stick together, have pride in the shirt & some restraint on contract demands to keep the squad strong.

Roll on the day when our youth policy competes with the llikes of Leeds, Saints & Wigan.