Re: Halfback : Fri May 20, 2016 12:11 pm  

The wording from Ross at TandA is now stronger about Addey and Clark going. he now says Hudds are after Fergusson and Gaskell. Three of our best players and a good one in Clark. It is starting to look like a bit of an exodus.
a third of our team may be playing against their new team in the play offs. That will be tough for them it it happens. One with his mind not quite on the job is bad enough but four of them.

I am starting tho think that it may be too late for this season for Smith to have a big impact. We may have to accept that we start again and go again next season.
I like everyone like Jimmy but I do wish he had gone after that £1m game as it has left us in a bit of a hole right now.

Re: Halfback : Fri May 20, 2016 12:31 pm  

We shouldn't have had so many coming off contract this season. Very poor planning.

For those really good players like Gaskell, Addy, Ferguson and the likes I think the best we could hope for is asking them to hold off signing anything until after the season has ended and we know where we are at in regards to divisions.

What's the chances of that though? Very slim Id say.

I can see it being a massive rebuilding job next season.

Re: Halfback : Fri May 20, 2016 12:39 pm  

Bulls4Champs wrote:

For those really good players like Gaskell, Addy, Ferguson and the likes I think the best we could hope for is asking them to hold off signing anything until after the season has ended and we know where we are at in regards to divisions.

What's the chances of that though? Very slim Id say.

If a player has a massive desire to play in Super League next season, I'd say chances are slim to none. Leaving it so late to sign for another club is risking your own career and potentially missing out as they'll go after more definite targets. Your only chance of getting in somewhere if you leave it that late is if a team released someone and is looking for someone in your position.

Re: Halfback : Fri May 20, 2016 2:03 pm  

HamsterChops wrote:

If a player has a massive desire to play in Super League next season, I'd say chances are slim to none. Leaving it so late to sign for another club is risking your own career and potentially missing out as they'll go after more definite targets. Your only chance of getting in somewhere if you leave it that late is if a team released someone and is looking for someone in your position.

I would agree, but I would still insist it's our best hope with keeping those guys.

Re: Halfback : Fri May 20, 2016 2:07 pm  

It's the home grown ones that hurt the most. We actually have an advantage (supposedly) when trying to retain home grown players because only a certain amount (£40k I think) would count on our cap, whereas 100% of their salary would count on the cap of the club that they move to.
While this might have seemed like a strong enough deterrent in theory, it seems like we still can't match SL offers even with that ruling in place.

Re: Halfback : Fri May 20, 2016 4:55 pm  

Well Gaskell was interviewed a while back about being off contract this year and he did make noises about wanting to stay.

I guess we'll see what Smith can offer in terms of player retention after all, he's sat down and had one to ones will all the players this week and I'd guess a chunk of that would be about are you staying or are you going.

Re: Halfback : Sat May 21, 2016 7:27 am  

With Gaskell looking like he's going to be crocked for a few weeks, I'll revise my opinion on this and would fully support a one month loan if we can't get a permanent signing over the line in short order.

Re: Halfback : Sat May 21, 2016 7:50 am  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

With Gaskell looking like he's going to be crocked for a few weeks, I'll revise my opinion on this and would fully support a one month loan if we can't get a permanent signing over the line in short order.

I think it's a shame that you have put work, getting married becoming a Dad stopping you from putting your hand up!

Re: Halfback : Sat May 21, 2016 9:21 am  

Besides Cas' Tom Holmes there hasn't been much else in the way of rumours.

Someone must have been told who it is but aren't allowed to say but they're source is always right. Right?

Re: Halfback : Sat May 21, 2016 2:44 pm  

With Gaskell looking like he may miss a few games I am now wondering that if Smith can find a decent pair of halves for next season will it really be a massive loss if he leaves. He can be brilliant at times but those few times tend to stick in our minds all season and I wonder if there is a stand off out there that would do a better job for us. We don't need an occasional flashy player but rather a consistently decent player.
If we get a good 7 then he may improve his consistency but at the moment he isn't. I also doubt he is seen as that top class player by SL teams.
If he left and we didn't replace him then yes, it wouldn't be good but if Smith can bring in two solid, reliable halves then no, we would get over him leaving.