How does a `loan deal` work visa wise? Maybe we could go that route if his visa for Cas still applies to a loan move.

Is there a story about Moa might be staying or is it just on here?

Just thinking about who we could possibly have signed that are in the 6. We presume Crookes is one of them, how about the others? There are a few rumours around:

Crookes
Wildie
Brierley
Walmsley
McDonnell
A.N Other forward?

Would you be happy with that - to compliment Arundel, Ellis, Chase, Brough (maybe) - if we can keep hold of Shrek and maybe Moa then i would be very happy going into next year.

I've said it a millions times, but I honestly don't understand what they see in Jason Crookes? He's shown he's got good pace, but apart from that I haven't seen or heard anything special about him. hopefully he'll prove me wrong.

Im surprised there hasnt being more knowledge of who the other signings are. Seems Crookes is the only one people seem sure of

Look at the ooc list (as I said after some negative comments about Rovers maybe signing Bryn Hargreaves). (Even) You can't pay big fees for or big wages to every player. Some of them will have to be 'value' rather than 'quality' signings. I mean you've got Ellis and almost certainly Chase - you can't expect to replace Will Sharp with Ryan Hall.

I prefer Shaun Ainscouch, great in attack but not so good in defence. Only a young lad with a fantastic try scoring record.

That also could describe Jordan Turner

The thing is of course that sort of exposure like that Chase player profile yesterday can cost you deals when you are trying to keep your cards close to your chest. Look at the Paea deal that was definately happening until it was leaked in the media, then all of a sudden within literally days he's signed a new deal at Catalan. Its not really fair winding the fans up like that on a whim to sell papers or radio shows is it? As I have said before we have had nothing but a sly headline from the Club about chase the rest is coming from Sources the media use, who are believe me very unlikely to be close to Pearson (unless there fed up of their job) and are more likely anyone from people at Cas, to mischief makers at Rovers who knows. We'll have to wait and see.

as far as im aware, rumours are rife as always, but i'll chuck my 2p worth in as i see it...
ive heard weve done deals for crookes from bradford, mcdonnell from kr,chase from cas, brough from hudds, ellis from wests(done) arundel from cas(done),......
anymore possible sigings ive missed out on, as im losing count of the "potential" sigings...

I'd take that, plus maybe a prop

I think pointing the finger at the media for doing their job is a little bit harsh Wilf (after all they are in the business of selling newspapers/increasing listening figures). The club started this with their own enigmatic headline which followed on from our owner informing the world that we were in looking to recruit a top half back (and a prop, probably Paea). It’s a little bit naive to think in the rugby league world clubs don’t know what is going on in the background with regards to player movements and the only way they’ll find out is through a few column inches in a local newspaper.

Maybe Mild Rover can comment more about Crookes but he scored a cracking hattrick on Sky against them. Went length of the pitch against us in the preseason friendly too. Those are my only experience of him but he looked very good in both games.

Maybe a prop??

I think we'll be in a bad state if we don't get a couple of decent props if Moa and Omeley do go as it is thought.

Other than that I'd be very happy with a Winger, full back, Ellis, chase and brough.

You wouldn't have been able to talk to Paea without Catalans knowing about it, unless you were doing it illegally.

I don't have a problem with that its their job, I know that bit, but the player profile stuff yesterday of a player we were only 'Interested in' was a bit over the top I thought, the Club hasn't actually said we are after him yet! The enigmatic headline was a bit naughty because it winds the fans up, particularly if we don't get him, which we very well might not! Only my opinion of course!



As for talking to players illegally well that doesn't go on does it?

I think as we found out to our cost so many times last year, a lot can happen to a supposedly done deal. Agents and players themselves are playing one club off against another, looking for the best all round deal for their client/themselves!

We were unsurprisingly bottom of the list in terms of player choices and we were also trying to keep contracts within reasonable bounds, realising we had to pay over the odds, but not crazy money. Our local paper went public on a few names then that failed to materialise and went to other clubs.

So the golden rule is always believe it when the Club announces it (or indeed as has happened with a few out of contract players, when the current host Club announces it!).

Dont know how tight a ship Pearson runs, but at Widnes very little is leaked these days. In the old days members of the board couldn't wait to tell all their cronies who was being spoken to etc and this stuff spread like wildfire.

Totally different context I know, but we had him on loan in the Championship and he was excellent, his defence was decent, as you say he was very rapid and he also had that no nonsense edge to him that marks out a good player. Haven't seen much of him since he went back to Bradford and clearly a few decent games in the Championship may be no indicator at all as to how he will go in Superleague. I would certainly have him back at Widnes, so I hope he goes well for you, assuming you get him.

Where did you hear that? On here i guess?!?

Crookes is very quick, solid enough in defence - tends to hold his position and doesnt shoot out the line which is good.

Also - he is good on 'out' sets - can find the floor and make decent yards - so similar to Sharp really

Haven't heard many rumour's regarding the Bradford signing (Whitehead/Bateman).

Has this one gone cold now or still in the pipeline?

I assume it is because news of what will be happening to the club is still in the balance. If they get new ownership then they will want to keep hold of those assets

Don't know what all the doom and gloom is about, rangi will be and fc player, hopefully next week and i for can't wait to see him strutting his skills at the kc, the guy is a genuis with ball in hand

TBH I'd rather he made his debut against Salford at home and not in the derby against KR. To much pressure and expectation to start in that fixture.