[Bullseye]

: Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:04 pm  

Jimmybull wrote:

There is no way we are spending upto full cap.

I've said it all along and it's now confirmed by the club.

Whether we'll ever be able to or not in the future is another question.

The squad looks way too thin at the position of centre with only Sykes and Nero with any regular first team experience in this position. If one gets injured the back up is as follows:

Menzies: Now more suited to centre field as his pace has gone.
Crookes: Completely untested at first team level.
Johnson: Almost as untested as Crookes.

I really hope we avoid injuries to Sykes or Nero as we'll really be struggling without them. I'd hate to have to rely on untested young players, it's far better to bring them into a side when they are in form and high in confidence. If the injuries strike we'll be bringing them in no matter what the situation. That's fraught with danger. Remember when Wigan were forced to blood young players when the injuries hit in years gone by? Their confidence got shot to pieces.

Looking at the rest of the threequarter line it's obvious that it's one of those areas McNamara's on about that he'd like to strengthen. I hope the club's serious about looking at talent in the WC. Hopefully it won't all be talk because a backline of Platt, Taduala, Sykes, Nero & Tupou isn't even top five quality.

With the present squad I reckon we'll scrape into the 6, but a finish lower in the table wouldn't be surprising if we got injuries at halfback or in the backs.

: Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:35 pm  

Tiger Beer wrote:

And so it should be. Some people can see the bigger picture

Priceless.

: Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:07 pm  

What macca should be doing if top stars aren't available is signing experienced players from teams such as Wakefield and Harlequins. Jees it's so obvious!!

: Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:57 pm  

cant really understand how the bulls have got rid of all these players one of which was the highest paid in super league on way over £300k per year, and they bring in the calibre of players they have and dont have funds for more signings...it just does not stack up you are being shafted by your club !

: Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:57 pm  

Maccbull_BigBullyBooaza wrote:

What macca should be doing if top stars aren't available is signing experienced players from teams such as Wakefield and Harlequins. Jees it's so obvious!!

and then he'd be kopping flak for signing players from lower clubs. He cant win no matter what he does. He admits theres areads he'd like to strengthen but if the players arent available at sensible money then imo he's taken the correct option. We're in a very strong position should someone become available following the world cup ( which I'd imagine is having an effect on overseas recruitment this year with players not wanting to jeopardise the selection prospects by signing for a SL club prior to the tournament.

: Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:05 pm  

rugbyreddog wrote:

Can't help but feel we are the Tottenham of SL. "Never mind winning anything, look at the balance sheet".

wash your mouth out with soap and water!
We've won a lot more than flipping spurs have!!!!!

: Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:06 pm  

Rhino Roy wrote:

one of which was the highest paid in super league on way over £300k per year!

Who was that then?

: Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:32 pm  

Rhino Roy wrote:

cant really understand how the bulls have got rid of all these players one of which was the highest paid in super league on way over £300k per year, and they bring in the calibre of players they have and dont have funds for more signings...it just does not stack up you are being shafted by your club !

they havent said there isnt money available. On the contrary they've stated we have the cap space for further recruitment. The key bit is that theres no one available in position we need who'd be an improvement on what we have. Rather then sign a poorer player to act as backup to our weak position we're keeping the cap space free in case a better player becomes available later.

[Bullseye]

: Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:43 pm  

mat wrote:

they havent said there isnt money available. On the contrary they've stated we have the cap space for further recruitment. The key bit is that theres no one available in position we need who'd be an improvement on what we have. Rather then sign a poorer player to act as backup to our weak position we're keeping the cap space free in case a better player becomes available later.

It remains to be seen if that really is the case. I guess we'll wait and see if anyone decent becomes available and we make a bid.

Isn't Talau available? Am I alone in thinking he's a better centre than anyone currently at the club?

: Mon Sep 29, 2008 5:01 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

It remains to be seen if that really is the case. I guess we'll wait and see if anyone decent becomes available and we make a bid.

Isn't Talau available? Am I alone in thinking he's a better centre than anyone currently at the club?

true but he'd only be a short term solution. Although on a one year deal for sensible money I wouldnt say no.