Where the deals for Long, O'Meley and Fitzgibbon signed knowing that King and raynor would be going and weighted accordingly?? Would explain the lack of headroom on the cap.

People are being a bit naïve re the phelps comments, he'd be a great signing for fc and apparently fc have been looking into him for a while. Wigan have only just told him they're not resigning, they've kept him hangin on a long time considering their options and cap spaces/quotas. a lot of wigan fans wanted him as a utility player. I dont think anyone other player in the league could have got ahead of richards (man of steel) roberts (form player in the world pre injury) and s tomkins (runner up man of steel and england player).

Of course he'd have to stay staying fit (same with any player I spose) should fc's injury woes hit again he would be a fab starter at FB or 6 and can slot anywhere else in the back line if needs be.

Just people who have seen him a limited amount of times on telly are the naive ones......he is a decent player but not what we need and would do somebody a good job at F/B..........I will take the word of my bro-in-law and mates in Wigan over the ones who have seen him to once or twice on the telly.

that's what i'm thinking.also,can we definitely say we have raynor and kings salaries to use?

The general feeling on the Wigan board is that if he wasnt a quota player he would have been re-signed because he is a good player.

Could we demand a fee

Go on Cookie

Don't worry, mate. When Amos was touted on here (all too briefly) as a possible signing, he too was poo pooed. That's with him being the best form back in the world prior to his injury. And being most gorgeous man walking the planet and everything.

looking at The Wigan Board and from what I saw of him when he was fit he will be a good signing however he does not spolve our prime problem, we need a half back.

Most will tell you he's a better 6 than 1. Hes played 6 for the reserves second half of the yr (granted not high standard) and has been scoring and assisting nonstop for weeks.

King was definately contracted for last season and the club told him he could join another club . Not sure if that meant they paid him his wages for 2010 in a lump sum effectively making him a free agent.

Raynor was contracted to us but the club terminated early and there will have been a compensation to pay on that, whether that meant his full wages or not is open to debate as well.

I would have expected Will to take Calders chunk of wage. And as for weighted contracts are they still allowed by the SL?? Sure these were outlawed but not 100% on that.

The Cooke one year deal rumours keep surfacing, I think Cookie is being mischievous and spreading them himself or at least hinting, because to fair people who have spoken to him seem convinced it will happen, make no mistake about it though it won't happen.

You hope

I hope there is no truth to it, as I would be devestated if James Rule left.

Rule is a complete tool, and long may he rule FC !

Rule's tenure has seen FC turn in 5 years of profits, break attendance and merchandise records and reach a major final. Rule's not perfect, obviously, but from a Chief Exec perspective he has completely overhauled communications with the fans and delivered on pretty much all his objectives with one big and glaringly obvious exception. The club is on a stable footing now and I think we could do worse TBH.

Indeed, just need performance on the field to match that off it now and the world is your oyster

But that's a whole other thread

No need for sarcasm, Phillip.





Seriously, though, I'm not saying Rule is perfect by [uany[/u stretch of imagination, but compare our communications, retail function, community programme, marketing activity and financial performance now to where it was when Rule took over and we've stepped on in all these key license areas, and are as good as any club in SL in the majority. Translated into playing terms we'd be in a major final every season.

Indeed, but a welcome (if unoriginal) diversion from the spectre of "Cooke on a pay as you play deal".

I have seen what Paul Cookes luck is like recently, if he signs that deal Horne and Long will turn into Michael Dobson for the duration of Cookes deal

Its spot on

If he was english he would have been signed up long ago.But you cant use a quota spot on a squad player.

If hes going to be a starter hes a good signing for hullfc..but again it would be a waste of your quota if hes just going right into your reserves.

1. Phelps
6. Horne
7. Long
9. Houghton
14. Tansey

Tansey would be a very good interchange hooker and can slip into the halves if needed.

I not sure Tansey's defence is good enough to play hooker.

Looking at Phelps stats he maybe is a better player that I am giving him credit for.

Now Orford looks to be leaving Bradford it should mean 2 things that effect Hull,

1 Whoever signs Orford might have to release a halfback.
2 We are now going to be competing with Bradford for any halfbacks available.

Hardly. Orford's deal was £275k a year. Seems unlikely we could compete with that.

If Orford signs for Canberra they won't be releasing anyone, I doubt parramatta would either.