How's phelps still possible?

Big 3 weeks for Agar, if he doens't sign another player and we go with what we have then we will struggle IMO and he should get the boot, sign another player hopefully a halfback then I think we could do well.

If we dont sign anyone he only has himself to blame as there has been players that would have improved our squad that he has choose not to sign.

It isn't unless we only sign him, as it stands I would look at Phelps as an option allowing Tansey to play hooker or halfback, but still look to sign a young SH (Moore

Just for you Sheldon).

I think that we could still be in for Ben Jones Bishop on loan for the season rather than Phelps

Would be better if Leeds will let him go.

Cheers Dave.

Another loanee from Leeds. Are we getting any reward for giving their players first team match practice?

See my comment on the 'ownership of the club' thread' , this does irk with a lot of fans, how many players have we loaned to them? what does that tell us?

They produce far better juniors?

And what are they doing to produce these juniors that we aren't?
What are we doing to keep these juniors (rather than babysit them)?
Why do our juniors not kick on like theirs do?

We need some major investment in the coaching set-up, rather than spending transfer money on other players in a quick fix transfer flurry because no-one else would sign for us. Who are the next up-and-coming players that look like they will be ready to step up soon and when does this look likely to happen?

Just a cotton-pickin'-minute there... everyone seems to be talking about a half-back for cover. So if our half-backs are fit (I know, I know... bear with me) then it's possible that such a new signing would never get a game and, therefore, have no bearing on the season whatsoever. So why would you sack Agar for that?

Before Berrigan went, he was scrum-half cover with Nicklas as cover for Horne. Berrigan left very late in the day and it's not as if there are hundreds of quality half-backs out there who are (1) available and (2) would want to come and sit on the bench (this is probably why they're after Sammut because he's a full-back). So how can this be Agar's fault? I mean, I understand that everything from the floods in Australia to the lack of good quality physicists emerging from British universities is Agar's fault, but we do have to draw the line somewhere.

we loaned Broughton and Mcshane in the last 2 years for a reason-injuries,not just to help leeds out!!Both players,did a decent job for us.

Mcshane is an exemplary young fella , destined for the top that one

Fair enough, but which other teams have we loaned players from in the past 2 seasons?

Both players did a good job but went back to their club with a lot more experience to benefit that club (OK Broughton ended up at Salford, but look what he did to us there). Should we, when we need help, be helping our rivals or should we look to develop more from within?

Its going to take a wedge of cash to sign Sammut.

Anybody heard rumour of what Hull are prepared to shell out?

I guess the reward is plugging a gap in our squad for a relatively in-expensive price. If we grew our own better we wouldnt need to do it.

Well quite!

Is there a salary cap benefit to a loan? Otherwise I can't understand bringing in a young player with little experience from another club over promoting a talented youngster from our own academy to blood them. Let's not forget that Horney made his debut at 16.

No idea, this is why it is so drawn out, trying to do the deal!

I would suggest that Ben Jones Bishop, if loaned to us, wouldn't fit that category. He's got a years SL experience under his belt at Quins and was selected for the England Squad last season IIRC.

Sometimes loan deals turn into permanent deals if its right for both clubs and the player.

Previous loan deals have been in positions where we didn't have a talented youngster - or at least not one who was ready for the step up. This one hasn't even been confirmed yet, so no point in worrying about it yet.

The larger point about the youth system is valid, and I'd like to see a shake-up there. On a case-by-case basis though the judgement has to be what's actually better for the team rather than what we'd like to happen if things were different.

I think the squad being too top-heavy with utility players over the last few seasons has meant that we have looked to use one of the fringe first teamers rather than look below the surface. We've used Washy at half back for 3 seasons which is madness. A total lose lose situation.

Hopefully we will become more position based orientated. Saints would never have done this, they get the reserve or academy lads who play that position to step up. Presumably they are all coached in a similar way and have set moves through the club so the transition is made easier.

Don't know about that, Saints regularly played Pryce at FB and Wilkin and Moore in the halves.

the thing is,look at some of the players from other teams that have gone out on loan to fellow super league teams? not many,and the ones that do go for a reason.we have done quite well with our loanees from leeds,which we get mainly to cover injuries.what people have to remember is that not only are we helping leeds,but they are helping us.it works both ways,and so far,it has been a positive thing for both clubs.

We will want to get him cheap, they will want to max it.

So presume Hull have gone in at 10k, Crusaders looking for 100k, so its a case of working to a middle ground.