In the pack yes as hopefully likes of lane ( esp ) and cator won't be starting many matches next season



Pack looks good

Pele

Brown

Ese

Okurbor

Ashworth

Fash/Carlos



But our backs look weaker than last season by a mile

By a Mile, im not sure, only Swift has gone and not been replaced, plus Walker for Shaul is a massive upgrade, along with Smith for McNamara. Agreed weaker on the wing, but stronger at fullback, halfbacks, even at centre I have more confidence with thr way Scott played and having Mitch back.

I guess Browns signing puts an end to the Cust rumours now .

Think we may see our 11 & 12 being Okunbor and Ashworth.

It has to, think I prefer the signing of Brown to Cust, more exciting player.

With the emphasis on being alot bigger. Definatley okun and ashworth in the second row, lane and the likes of Jebson to fight it out as backup



Healthy challenge for places

wouldnt surprise me to see Johnson announced next week.

Would make sense,lots to prove,good age and size and we need a second row

Johnson leaving Rover's to be replaced by McMeeken and or Byrne according to those in the know on their site. With 33 players on their books they must be close to cap? Can't see us attracting McMeeken or Byrne so Johnson would be a good addition under the circumstances.

Can't see them singing either of those unless someone leaves first

No need to apologise, I took it in the context you meant, I will always support the club I love by purchasing passes, shirts and this year, an abomination of a zip top, which in all truth looks awful but it was a wedding anniversary present from my gorgeous wife , so I wear it with a smile, despite the fact it looks crap!

The signing of Brown looks good business to me, when I saw him at Fev, I said to my son he'd be a useful player, and I also think Morgan Smith will prove to be an astute bit of business, particularly when Truman isn't exactly durable, at least we'll have halves that know their trade, which always works better than makeshift combinations. I am quietly optimistic now, I think the key for us is a good start, that will hopefully tempt back a few that will inevitably drop off, after this year. The only position I see us as weak in is the back row, but it is apparent that the academy/reserves is awash with lads hoping to step up, so we will see if they are up to it I guess.

If Pearson said we're at cap with the 9 players that have come in...how can there be another signing?

There is no way we can be at the cap, I like Pearson, but he doesn't always tell the truth.

I'll be really disappointed if Rovers sign Mcmeeken over us.

It's the hope that kills us

. We certainly look better overall than last year.

£400,000 below cap

Like you know.

Mcmeekan is contracted till end of 2024, if he was available then saints , Leeds, Wire would be be all over him.

If it was young Oli Pratt or somebody like that, they’d likely be outside the top 25 earners.

I wonder if London will come looking for players? Even on loan for some of our players in their last year of contracts

Pretty nailed on. Pearson takes £350k per annum out the club.

We aren't at cap, no way, we might be at Pearsons cap.



If we are, we must be massively overpaying some players still.

Serious question, but is there any evidence of this, is this a salary or money he is owed due to his investment?

Can we all start praising Lane and Carlos in a hope a London scout has a read

We can’t be spending £2.1m on our top 25 earners surely but possibly for the whole first team squad we could be. We have something like 40 contracted first team players for next season now with the 8 promoted ones.



So say we are £400k under (£1.7m on top 25 earners)

40 players - 25 top earners = 15 players

£400k / 15 = £26.7k average wage per player outside the top 25 earners



Won’t be far off a correct wage for them as we have 30 players who have played in SL I believe, so they’ll get at least a minimum wage.

Walker will be replacing Clifford



As walker will play full back which means hoy will move to half back with Trueman