Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Nov 16, 2023 6:33 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Say Myler was on £80k. We pay £40k next year, York pay £40k, he’s on the same and will play, we get £40k to bring in Hudson. (I don’t know the real numbers, but the announcements were essentially at the same time).

Same might be the case with Olpherts - even if we pay part salary it may just be enough with what we have left to bring in Kershaw.

I know Myler was a decent player I could just see scenarios where he wouldn’t play a single game of first grade next year.

I think GH is right and we are at the cap so it’s one out-one-in from here unless we find exempt players. Unless they have one final magical Xmas present up the sleeve and Sutton is on his way. Who knows.

It's all speculation really but if we do not secure another frontline prop, then I think it's poor management of the salary cap.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Nov 16, 2023 7:15 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Say Myler was on £80k. We pay £40k next year, York pay £40k, he’s on the same and will play, we get £40k to bring in Hudson. (I don’t know the real numbers, but the announcements were essentially at the same time).

Same might be the case with Olpherts - even if we pay part salary it may just be enough with what we have left to bring in Kershaw.

I know Myler was a decent player I could just see scenarios where he wouldn’t play a single game of first grade next year.

I think GH is right and we are at the cap so it’s one out-one-in from here unless we find exempt players. Unless they have one final magical Xmas present up the sleeve and Sutton is on his way. Who knows.

It's all guesswork ultimately. My point was that Peter Smith doesn't appear to have asked the obvious question. Now I don't doubt that he did ask it, he just didn't share the answer with his readers. Maybe GH gave him something off the record with a bit of a nod and a wink. Suspect there's probably another twist in the tale, but who knows?

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:55 pm  

rugbyleague88 wrote:

It's all speculation really but if we do not secure another frontline prop, then I think it's poor management of the salary cap.

Poor management that has been sorted as best as it could have been, in effect, in one off season. The priority areas have been addressed with real quality brought in. RS has proven to be a rather ruthless operator. Much needed. His MO will stand him, and the club, in good stead.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:58 pm  

Squad numbers 1-30 announced, no gaps and olpherts in there at 19.

Some great recruitment work achieved this off season though looking at the squad still feels like another may be needed to really get up there again, ie improving the front row. Unless of course oledszki, Holroyd and Sangare really kick on a gear or 2, and Hudson proves to be a good replacement for the role Walters had. Personally I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Nov 16, 2023 9:25 pm  

Poor old Donaldson getting bagged when he gives 100% every time he pulls on the shirt and talk of wasted cap yet the club are still happy to keep paying top dollar for a winger who as yet to play more games than he misses and his try scoring record is rubbish, they could have got 3x Kershaws for less.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Nov 16, 2023 9:30 pm  

Fusitua was one of our best players when on the field last year, better halves will make use of his undoubted finishing ability. Question his ability to stay on the field but if you can't see his quality that's on you.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Nov 16, 2023 9:39 pm  

RAPIDO wrote:

Poor old Donaldson getting bagged when he gives 100% every time he pulls on the shirt and talk of wasted cap yet the club are still happy to keep paying top dollar for a winger who as yet to play more games than he misses and his try scoring record is rubbish, they could have got 3x Kershaws for less.

Codswallop.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Nov 16, 2023 11:40 pm  

Looks like the club are betting a lot on Hudson being able to play a fair few games. He's certainly got some size about him.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:12 am  

For me the biggest news here is Bentley retains 11 ahead of McDonnell - not sure if this will translate into selection.

The other thing is Johnson way back at 26; in context of O’Connor at 14 and Ackers in at 9, it doesn’t seem like the club is committing much at this stage.

I’d say that 17 is pretty much how RS intends to start, with everyone else in pecking order from 18 onwards. Still suspect Kershaw for Olpherts could happen but maybe that’s it for 2024.

I reckon we’ll go well.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:25 am  

A lot is going to depend on front row form and injuries. Without doubt this is the squad weakness, but with so much of the playing staff to turn around and still reaping the rewards of a lack of junior talent development for years this is probably as good as it gets this year. I wish we had better balance between props and back rowers.

That said the squad is much more balanced and has much more quality than in recent years.