So we're now past the May 1st deadline day but no announcements on retention of our OOC players. What do we expect?

These are the ones showing as OOC on the sticky thread:

Mini - 1 year extension
washy - 1 year extension
tala - 1 year extension
ellis - retire?
fonua (Not OOC I appreciate) - leave
michaels - leave
thompson - undecided on this one - maybe a 1 year deal but suspect he's liked and will get 2 - I'd let him go to free up the cap space
rawsthorne - extend his deal
downs - 2 years

If we did lose ellis, fonua, michaels and thompson it would free up 2 quota/non fed places and, maybe a chunk of cash although I think we may have some more back loaded deals so maybe not as much cash as you'd expect. It would also leave 2 massive holes in the squad to fill. motu has some work to do before he leaves

Mini - 1yr deal - his fitness record is brilliant and still putting in the performances.
Washy - 1/2yr deal - he's shown how valuable his versatility is since his return, not flashy but rarely has an off day.
Talanoa - undecided on this one, I worry about his injury/concussion record. It'd depend what wingers are available.
Ellis - undecided on Ellis too. Brilliant when he's on the pitch, but his injuries are a concern.
Michaels - dependant on whether we keep Fonua/Talanoa IMO. He's a cracking backup threequarter, not flashy but very reliable.
Thompson - I'd let him go, I think we have two better players in Hadley & Fash, and Turgut there or thereabouts, not sure he's needed.
Rawsthorne & Downs I don't feel I've seen enough of to comment on.

Ellis to takeover from Motu.

I'd release Talanoa due to injury concerns, Michael's it depends on salary level as he is ok but takes up a quota space.

Would swap Thompson for a prop. I would retain Mini & Ellis for one more year for their leadership, but surely we'd be able to get them on a slightly reduced wage due to their age?

Fonua will be a massive loss if he decides to go, but I suppose that's the gamble you take with singing younger overseas players, if they impress they will be back to the NRL. Same happened with Rankin the other year.

If Fonua goes I'd look to keep one of Talanoa or Michaels, if he stays I'd release them both.

Ellis to retire and not renew Thompson.

Keep Mini and Washy.

Look to bring in a top class forward with some impact.

Out

Talanoa
Michaels
Tomo
Ellis


In
New Overseas forward
Naughton
Abdul
Hadley

Also keep an eye out for any young championship players.

Hard to recruit as if say Hudds went down and lost the MPG, their would be good quality players available, but can you leave a big chunk of cap if case this happens?

Fair bit of question marks over both starting wings
Fonua looking like he may be going to the NRL which is a big loss.
Michaels and Talanoa, all sentiment aside or favourtism I feel we should be only keeping one of the two
Naughton has barely played at Leigh, that may change, would he be first choice, I'm not sure
Rawsthorne, heard good things but would surley be second choice or even third next year
Personally feel we should bring in someone but would guess Radford will go with what we have bar Fonua if he goes

Keep Mini for another year but maybe come off the bench with Hadley starting.

If the younger players like Turgut and Downs continue to grow, plus Abdull coming into 13, then perhaps Thompson may be let go

With no experience in the role? Ellis has said before he'd like to get into strength and conditioning.

Apart from recruitment, what does Motu's role involve?

No rush to replace him as he will take care of recruitment for next season and we have to trust Pearson and Radford to appoint the right person.

For those calling for Ellis to be the next manager. Yes I agree that he has been one of the truly outstanding players of his generation and is an inspiring on field leader. That in no way guarantees success in the manager role. In fact there is an example of a such a newly retired great player doing this role within the boundaries of this city and nobody is calling him a success.

I trust that Hull will be more level headed on this and concentrate on the suitability of the new person to perform the manager's role going forward rather than their past playing career. The best coaches and manager's were rarely the best player's of their era.

I beg to differ

I'd be looking to recruit a new winger. We're either going to lose Fonua or release Talanoa.

Need another impact forward to replace one of the retiring players also.

The rest I think we're doing pretty well with. Recruit from within or buy in some youth with potential.

A quality back up hooker/half back coming available is the only one I'd change plans for. We've seen how much we've struggled with the loss of Houghton and Kelly. Washy I'd an ok plug but not near their level at all. Let's snatch Danny Brough from Huddersfield as a bench player when they get relegated

I'd make a big play for McGillvary. Right up Radford's street in style.

He'd be a very good acquisition.

Would be perfect for us IMO. Unfortunately has strong emotional ties to Huddersfield so unless they go down can't see it.

Very difficult from a song creation perspective though

nobody has mentioned carlos or sika yet. as overseas players there might be a risk we could lose them early if they want to return home or the NRL come calling, and both are still of an age where they can play at the highest level for a while yet. i would be extending both of their contracts if possible as they have transformed our right sided attack. manu in particular does some very clever things down that side and when you remember how dodgy this side was before they came along, i think they could be pretty difficult to replace.

Don't be shocked if that's the case if he hangs up his boots.

Loking at few teams OOC lists

I'd be happy with either Tautai or Fifita.

Wouldn't mind Saveilo coming off the bench either.

I'd also make offers to both Livett and Philbin, but doubt they will leave.

FIfita out of them by lots
Barring savelio. But he's rumoured to be hard work off field

League Express saying we are after Ben Jones-Bishop, cant say im that keen, he's having a good season but thats one good season out of how many over the years?

bjb is quick but doesn't seem like the type of outside back that radford prefers. Definitely a significant downgrade from fonua

Decent player BJB, but he wouldn't suit our style. Since Briscoe, we've had wingers who are strong returning the ball back from scoots. McGilvary is perfect for this if we had the opportunity to sign him.

Hes always been decent at what he does tbf. Just dont think hes would fit the style we like to play. We prefer a big combative winger who can do the hard yards. McGillvary would be perfect.

Am I the only one who wouldnt renew Minichiello? Hes been a good signing for us, no doubt, but his defence has always been poor and he is an error and penalty machine at times.

I thought Ikahihifo looked good for hudds last Thursday. Not sure if he has been mentioned already but he is the definition of impact forward

Taking it a bit far for me that. His good outweighs the bad you mention. But it's good to see some1 pick up on it. I often think jeez at games when he gives away a pen. Or shoots the line or has a costly error. It's kinda weird. Him and michaels in most eyes are golden boys. Like for like Tala and Thompson get ripped on here and various forums for the same stuff in games
I'd defo give hI'm a new deal tho. Also he'll start doing less mins I imagine. I'd expect hadley back. Turgut looks every bit our 2nd row future so will possibly reduce his 'bad bits'
Personally come next yr I'd have him off the bench To raise tempo. Like how cas use moors n sene lefeo