Is our squad and team better than last season, I'd say definitely and we still have the scope to bring in 2/3 more players. Last year we had one player who was a top 6 player, now we have a few. Ad mentioned before we tired to sign Lam and Whitehead had those two, it would have made a massive difference and given us another quota spot. Myler is trying and getting us moving in the right direction, think every fan (except one) can see that. It's not a quick fix and not as easy as some fans think, no clubs need to sell, so having money for fees isn't really a benefit right now, so we bring young players through and supplement them with top (SL standard) overseas players.

[quote="ComeOnYouUll":3gdv09cw]So what experienced, quality 24-27 year old half backs should we have signed that were willing to come?[/quote:3gdv09cw] Oli Leyland?

[quote="Steve0":36gpq8gc]Oli Leyland?[/quote:36gpq8gc] Hull or Warrington though? Think we all no the answer to that sadly.

Just checked my bank account the Abdull pay off has not come out yet. Anyone else had money taken out there accounts to help pay Abdull off seen as how it affects us all?

[quote="Dave K.":3r5q1cik]Hull or Warrington though? Think we all no the answer to that sadly.[/quote:3r5q1cik] Depends, he won't get in at Warrington ahead of Dufty, Hayes and Williams, we could've given him the 6 shirt rather than signing Abdul, his brother signed for rovers too so could've helped tempt him.

[quote="Steve0":12ulkoxc]Oli Leyland?[/quote:12ulkoxc] Leyland and Russell were the only two possibilities really. Cust is a similar age to those two and I’d have him better than both so they’d both be squad players. Short term we’d have a bit better depth if we’d have signed one of those two instead of Abdul but long term I’d maybe prefer to give Charles and Kemp game time. That’s assuming either would have wanted to join which isn’t a given at all especially Leyland. Either way I don’t think the Abdul signing had any real impact on who we could have brought in, we still went for our main targets regardless.

[quote="bonaire":nadasm1n]Ashworth signed as a starting front row and has the number 17 Cust signed as a starting 6/9 has the number 14 Martin currently our best wing has the number 22 on the other hand we have Briscoe with the number 2 and Chamberlain number 4 and both shouldnt be starting first team players so trying to make out that Holmes was not signed as a starting second row because he has the number 15 is nonsense.[/quote:nadasm1n] Can't remember Ashworth starting last year. Came on from the bench majority of the games played. You know full well Cust was signed as the player to play 14 and rotate in and out of half back/hooker. Only now Abdul has gone has he been promoted to starting 6. I do agree with Martin however. Strange he's not been given a starting jersey and looks likely to not start.

[quote="DSJ1983":35lpzbc5]Leyland and Russell were the only two possibilities really. Cust is a similar age to those two and I’d have him better than both so they’d both be squad players. Short term we’d have a bit better depth if we’d have signed one of those two instead of Abdul but long term I’d maybe prefer to give Charles and Kemp game time. That’s assuming either would have wanted to join which isn’t a given at all especially Leyland. Either way I don’t think the Abdul signing had any real impact on who we could have brought in, we still went for our main targets regardless.[/quote:35lpzbc5] Big difference between those named is Cust takes a quota spot, very early days, but I'm yet to be convinced he is worth one. Wouldn't have minded Leyland, Russell is awful though.

[quote="Dave K.":2ul22jwb][quote="DSJ1983":2ul22jwb]Leyland and Russell were the only two possibilities really. Cust is a similar age to those two and I’d have him better than both so they’d both be squad players. Short term we’d have a bit better depth if we’d have signed one of those two instead of Abdul but long term I’d maybe prefer to give Charles and Kemp game time. That’s assuming either would have wanted to join which isn’t a given at all especially Leyland. Either way I don’t think the Abdul signing had any real impact on who we could have brought in, we still went for our main targets regardless.[/quote:2ul22jwb] Big difference between those named is Cust takes a quota spot, very early days, but I'm yet to be convinced he is worth one. Wouldn't have minded Leyland, Russell is awful though.[/quote:2ul22jwb] In regards to the recruitment done in this off season as fans we don't know what the clubs plan and strategy is long term. Myler when he came in has had to plug the holes to stop us sinking further so to speak, I don't doubt these signing in the main will have been done to solve issues in the short term but also with an eye on recruitment/retention and promoting from within in mind for the long term. Taking out the fact there were little options available to us as a club at the time, factor in the club probably for once have a long term plan with set criteria so even if the market was awash with a number of players still doesn't mean we'd sign any if those signings had potential to jeopardise the long term goals. Then throw in the new transfer rules which were about to come which has changed the landscape significantly.

[quote="Dave K.":3ge4rprb]Big difference between those named is Cust takes a quota spot, very early days, but I'm yet to be convinced he is worth one. Wouldn't have minded Leyland, Russell is awful though.[/quote:3ge4rprb] Cust and the use of a quota spot is a valid debate but Abdull signing didn’t prevent us using the quota place better, other players just turned us down. As for Leyland yeah in hindsight we could have used Abdulls spot to make a play for Leyland, but he’d still have likely chosen Wire. Hardly a disaster though IMO, if we manage Charles and Kemp properly no reason why one of those l couldn’t be as good as he is at 24, he looked a threat for London but still got a bit to prove.

[quote="DSJ1983":1c086t2u]Cust and the use of a quota spot is a valid debate but Abdull signing didn’t prevent us using the quota place better, other players just turned us down. As for Leyland yeah in hindsight we could have used Abdulls spot to make a play for Leyland, but he’d still have likely chosen Wire. Hardly a disaster though IMO, if we manage Charles and Kemp properly no reason why one of those l couldn’t be as good as he is at 24, he looked a threat for London but still got a bit to prove.[/quote:1c086t2u] Cade has played for Wigan and Salford in Super League and is fully developed. He is unlikely to get any better. Leyland had 1 year in Super League is only 23 and will probably improve as he plays in a more professional environment.

[quote="BOSS HOG":v88gfhaj]Cade has played for Wigan and Salford in Super League and is fully developed. He is unlikely to get any better. Leyland had 1 year in Super League is only 23 and will probably improve as he plays in a more professional environment.[/quote:v88gfhaj] There’s a lot of scope for Leyland to improve, but let’s not forget that it was basically a free shot for London last year, they threw the ball about a lot with no pressure or expectation. When it went well for them they got the plaudits but when they played poorly there was no criticism or analysis it was just expected. Playing as a halfback for Warrington or Hull underachievers with huge expectations is a different kettle of fish, it will be interesting to see how he goes. He’d have been a handy squad player instead of signing Abdull in hindsight for Hull. But we’d have still needed to sign a couple of more experienced/proven halfbacks. It’s a big if, but if Cust gets a good injury free run there’s no reason why he can’t do better than what he showed at Wigan or Salford especially. He’s still only 26, I’m sure Cartwright has signed him on the back of his Manly potential. He certainly wasn’t our first choice though there’s no denying that it is what it is hopefully he might surprise a few people with a bit of injury luck.

Cust also played well in a top side and did well in the NRL, still pretty young too, injuries have caused a loss of form. If he is over those injuries and get back to his first season at Wigan form, then we have a very good player. I'm not convinced that will happen though.

Cust making quite a few of you look silly. Only one game but positive signs

[quote="Hullrealist":3s8eq4qf]Cust making quite a few of you look silly. Only one game but positive signs[/quote:3s8eq4qf] Not really he scored two good tries and played well, but when he was going to be back up to abdull/sezer/amir people were reasonably questioning him as a quota signing as a back up.

[quote="Cuddleclub":3v6563c0]Not really he scored two good tries and played well, but when he was going to be back up to abdull/sezer/amir people were reasonably questioning him as a quota signing as a back up.[/quote:3v6563c0] FWIW I’m not so sure Cartwright really ever had him as back up to JA, it was reported early doors that he was training at 6 with Sezer. Like you say it’s strange use of a valuable quota spot if that was the plan but I’m not sure Cartwright was ever sold on JA, hence two quota HB’s brought in. Let’s not get carried away with Cust, he really needs a good string of games, but for context he played 27 first grade games for Manly (Cartwright was assistant) and scored 9 try’s before he moved to SL at 22. Manly only let him join Wigan if they could have first option if he returned to the NRL. Again in context he’s younger then Tristan Sailor and played more first grade then he did in 3 less seasons. He also looked decent in a Wigan side that won the cup then the league in his 2 years. He got a bad injury which made them move French to 6 and lost his place to possibly the best ever SL import. Still a risky signing for me, but he’s hardly the mug some people made out. Same applies to Sezer and Hardaker. Not perfect signings with age etc but absolute proven quality. Sezer coached by Carty previously and both played with Myler. Never my first choice of signings but obviously highly thought of by both the rugby blokes making the decisions. Think sometimes we let rival fans/trolls on here and social media get into our heads. Injury concerns are valid and time will tell on that, but there’s still some absolute quality and match winning experience in this side if we get a bit of luck.

Can't get carried away, there will be tougher games. I've been suprised at at the negativity to us signing Sezer, if you watched him last season he played very well in a poor side and Wests only won when he played. Think he will be a good signing and really help out two halfs. Love how vocal and competitive he is, perfect captain. Top goal kicker too.

I think the main criticism of the cust and sezer signings was their fitness records and age in sezers case. If we get plenty of games out of both they will prove good signings. Sezer was good at hudds but seemed to be constantly injured at Leeds. Cust injured regularly since he got that bad injury at wigan and doesn’t seem to have strung many games together since. It's worrying that cartwright picked up another injury last night as he seems to be another one who can't stay fit and the squad just isn't big enough to cope with many injuries and be competitive, especially in the forwards

Think we have capacity to bring in at least 3 players, so hopefully we can keep a eye on the market and strengthen as we do. Agree on Cartwright, really shame as he looks a really classy backrower and the type we haven't had for a few years.

[quote="Jake the Peg":2pg6w37i]I think the main criticism of the cust and sezer signings was their fitness records and age in sezers case. If we get plenty of games out of both they will prove good signings. Sezer was good at hudds but seemed to be constantly injured at Leeds. Cust injured regularly since he got that bad injury at wigan and doesn’t seem to have strung many games together since. It's worrying that cartwright picked up another injury last night as he seems to be another one who can't stay fit and the squad just isn't big enough to cope with many injuries and be competitive, especially in the forwards[/quote:2pg6w37i] Don’t think anybody would disagree with that. I think sometimes people do try and read too much into injury records though when it can just be luck. It’s a tough sport, there’s no guarantee though with any player at any age. Look at Trueman at Hull, came back from an ACL. Had he kept injuring his knee in training or coming off in games you’d point to a persistent problem, but he strung a load of games together looking stronger each week then ruptured his achilles in a game. That’s just horrendous luck not necessarily injury prone. For any side to have a good season you have to get lucky with injuries somewhat.

More reports from the NRL that Hastings & Pryce could be out at Newcastle Knights , Hastings is supposed to be training with the Knights reserve side . I wonder if we have enough Cap space to tempt Pryce back to England .

[quote="B0NES":31ykmoke]More reports from the NRL that Hastings & Pryce could be out at Newcastle Knights , Hastings is supposed to be training with the Knights reserve side . I wonder if we have enough Cap space to tempt Pryce back to England .[/quote:31ykmoke] Myler has stated that we have room on the cap and are actively looking to recruit if the right player comes available. Pryce would be a very good signing and will give us more options at FB and SO.

[quote="Marcus's Bicycle":1x6moyez][quote="B0NES":1x6moyez]More reports from the NRL that Hastings & Pryce could be out at Newcastle Knights , Hastings is supposed to be training with the Knights reserve side . I wonder if we have enough Cap space to tempt Pryce back to England .[/quote:1x6moyez] Myler has stated that we have room on the cap and are actively looking to recruit if the right player comes available. Pryce would be a very good signing and will give us more options at FB and SO.[/quote:1x6moyez] If that’s the case and Pryce has no suitors in the NRL then I’d hope we’d at least make a play for him as a replacement for Abdul. He’d certainly be a great signing and added bonus being non quota.

[quote="B0NES":mnsugat4]More reports from the NRL that Hastings & Pryce could be out at Newcastle Knights , Hastings is supposed to be training with the Knights reserve side . I wonder if we have enough Cap space to tempt Pryce back to England .[/quote:mnsugat4] If we wanted Pryce and he moves mid season don’t see why we wouldn’t be in a strong position for him, Leigh might be in for both though. From what I’ve read Pryce has looked lively when he’s played but struggled defensively at that level, don’t know if that would be factor with Cartwright.

[quote="DSJ1983":6wouh5e5]If we wanted Pryce and he moves mid season don’t see why we wouldn’t be in a strong position for him, Leigh might be in for both though. From what I’ve read Pryce has looked lively when he’s played but struggled defensively at that level, don’t know if that would be factor with Cartwright.[/quote:6wouh5e5] We should be having a word with Magic Mikey, he looked very upset on his Sky interview, he’s one of our own