Probably 4 prop spots in a normal 17.

Vella, Wheeldon, Lovegrove, Netherton, Mills, Watts and now Beaumont is 7. Plus Newton can play there (though IMO it is a waste, as he is a better SR). A loan signing could no doubt be made if there was a real injury crisis.

The problem is 2 are very inexperinced (only one way to remedy that of course) and one fell out of favour pretty spectacularly last year. Netherton is a converted SR and perhaps a utility forward rather than an out and out prop, while Wheeldon and Lovegrove are mobile and work hard but aren't going to scare too many teams. So if Vella does miss a few games it looks a bit bare. Even when he's playing, he'd benefit from another top prop alongside him - in a perfect world. If we can't get a top prop, I think we are fine for numbers and have enough in the 2nd level.

So we are not losing Fozzard, Fitzhenry, Aizue and Gene after all then?

That's OK then, if they are not leaving they won't need replacing.

Quite agree but surely younger than Fitzty and OMeeley

I've been told that their offer to crocker dwarfs the pretty massive contract he agreed with us but he keeps telling them to feck off

His business plan is based around trying to get one over on Hull FC. Who do you think makes the decisions?

Anyway, if you go into next season with what you have you'll save 300 grand surely

Serious question, do you think its a conscious decision to not strengthen and save cash or do you think its a decision thats been forced by certain targets turning you down? Or maybe a mix of both?

Think your mixing us up with your own club. Our coach signs the players and picks the team.

JOEL CLINTON PAPER WORK BEEN SORTED NOW. FACT

Does it make it a fact that you wrote it in capitals?

On a new contract.

Is that the business plan that we had to show the RFL to get a SL franchise?

Ah, that explains our 3-year licence then!

If you think Hudgell didn't recruit Paul Cooke, then you are deluding yourself. Do you really think he was Morgan's choice?

Don't worry - Hudgell has already spoken of 2 "top class" signings, and we're all agreed that the incoming players so far don't fit into that bracket. Plus GML said recently that two players are coming in at the top end of the squad.

This isn't the first time Rovers have declared recruitment as good as finished then brought someone in - just a media tactic to create an "unexpected boost", like overstating injuries etc.

Paul Cooke recruited Paul Cooke. IIRC Rovers had nothing to do with it (according to the RFL)

You'd know all about that, woudln't you.

There's a difference between listing injuries that actually prevent players playing, and declaring a multitude of players doubtful in a post match interview a week before an important game to create the age old "unexpected boost" on the Thursday when they're all miraculously fit. Morgan never seems to tire of it.



Anyway, back on topic. The names in the frame right now seem to be Graham, Clinton and Crocker. Which 2 from these 3?

Whose frame would that be exactly?

The frame of messageboard rumour and speculation. Since GML has said there are 2 senior players coming in and these names keep cropping up (Clinton having been identified as a target in the HDM), why shouldn't it be two of them?

Because two of them are completely ridiculous suggestions. Meaning only one of them is remotely likely.

Ya dig?

So it's Clinton plus one other senior player.

Friday evening and you spend it on the Rovers forum, go get yourself a fella or some friends to hang out with, it is rather sad.

Have you a link to this ramble or was it just the voices again

As it stands I'm very happy with the make up of the squad. We have good cover in all areas with a good mixture of youth and experience. However, if you dont have the Props to lead your team, then the rest are going to struggle. Currently we have:

Michael Vella
Liam Watts
Scott Wheeldon
David Mills
Rhys Lovegrove
Rich Beaumont

This to me is not a set of Props for a team looking to maintain its place within the top six, which imo will be the aim next season. Im wondering if our inability to offload certain players (i.e. Mills) is hindering us in bringing in a new player.

I think there was and may remain a desire to bring in 1 or 2 high end players (I've always assumed the second would mean letting somebody else go). There aren't many players that fit the bill, in terms of quality, position, longevity etc. So yeah, if a couple of targets fell through there may be no suitable second choice. On the upside we are taking the long-term 'SmokeyTA approach' to developing the squad (currently looking like no overseas signings in two consecutive recruitment cycles), which is financially prudent and will make the RFL smile on us a little more come franchise renewal. There is no doubting though that a top or semi-competent but powerful prop would improve us/give another option. We look a bit one paced in the front row as it stands.



Seriously, [iyou[/i are complaining of somebody else banging away at the same nail? If only there was an emoticon raising one eyebrow quizically.