: Wed May 06, 2009 3:20 pm  

I was told by the lad who holds the ladder for the bloke who cleans the top windows, apparently lynch was talking to himself and said ive had enough of carrying this team im off.

: Wed May 06, 2009 3:28 pm  

Wigan Bull wrote:

I can't see Rinaldi being retained. That leaves us a quota space.

A SH and Centre have to be priority for the off season.

So come on stat geeks what are our options for each position in the UK and Aus!?

I don't think a centre is that urgent, when Nero and Sykes are playing well we don't have a problem, and i'm assuming you're talking about replacing Sykes, which means swapping for an Aussie or finding a talented English centre willing to come to Bradford. I'm okay with our centres, think we need another HB and this hasn't been mentioned much but we haven't got a through and through Loose forward, Langley, Burgess, Menzies and Morro can all play there but I think if a quality LF became available we should jump at it. I've talked to a few Aussies who reckon Hunt may be coming to Bradford, can't see much truth in it myself but then we could get let Tadulala go due to age -although he has been playing brilliantly- put Halley on wing and Hunt at FB.

: Wed May 06, 2009 3:38 pm  

Ewwenorfolk wrote:

I don't think a centre is that urgent, when Nero and Sykes are playing well we don't have a problem, and i'm assuming you're talking about replacing Sykes, which means swapping for an Aussie or finding a talented English centre willing to come to Bradford. I'm okay with our centres, think we need another HB and this hasn't been mentioned much but we haven't got a through and through Loose forward, Langley, Burgess, Menzies and Morro can all play there but I think if a quality LF became available we should jump at it. I've talked to a few Aussies who reckon Hunt may be coming to Bradford, can't see much truth in it myself but then we could get let Tadulala go due to age -although he has been playing brilliantly- put Halley on wing and Hunt at FB.

Sykes and Nero don't ooze class though do they? IMO we're lacking a bit in this position, A Hape / Gidley / Lyon is what's required to take us forward.

: Wed May 06, 2009 3:41 pm  

Wigan Bull wrote:

Sykes and Nero don't ooze class though do they? IMO we're lacking a bit in this position, A Hape / Gidley / Lyon is what's required to take us forward.

Suppose so, but Sykes does give us something in attack when playing well, as does Nero. It's not a matter of urgency like a new HB though.

: Wed May 06, 2009 4:19 pm  

Putting some pace into the side would be a priority for me. A quick half back with good support play would make a big difference.
As for a centre, unless it was someone world class, I reckon we can make do with what we've got. Sykes and Nero with Crookes to get a chance when possible.
Keep Menzies, and Morrison as long as he agrees to a pay cut. I think that their experience could make a big difference to the talented group of youngsters coming through. Solomona to go because of his large wages, and injury situation.

: Wed May 06, 2009 4:24 pm  

beefy1 wrote:

Keep Menzies, and Morrison as long as he agrees to a pay cut. I think that their experience could make a big difference to the talented group of youngsters coming through.

Do you know how much they'r ebeing paid?

beefy1 wrote:

Solomona to go

Agreed

: Wed May 06, 2009 4:37 pm  

childofthenorthern wrote:

I'd look to recruit youth from those areas and develop them rather than take on unproven at top flight players. Where do the RFL's quota rules stand in relation to bringing overseas players through the academy system?

A young player from PNG, Tonga. Samoa or Fiji would still have to qualify for a British work permit.

: Wed May 06, 2009 4:43 pm  

Wigan Bull wrote:

Do you know how much they'r ebeing paid?

I just meant Morrison taking a cut, I'm guessing Menzies' second year option will already be negotiated as part of his current deal.
I dont know how much he is payed, but with his age and how much time he's been spending on the sidelines, I don't think it would be too harsh for the club to shave a little off his next deal to put towards other, longer term targets.

: Wed May 06, 2009 8:14 pm  

Wigan Bull wrote:

Sykes and Nero don't ooze class though do they? IMO we're lacking a bit in this position, A Hape / Gidley / Lyon is what's required to take us forward.

No they dont, but they are both quality experienced super league centres, and if the club is serious about Crookes potential (and I've seen enough of him that I think we need to give him a shot if he gets over this injury ok) then that 3 with Platt/Menzies as backups would be ok for next year IMO unless a world class Centre became available for the right money, which is doubful with other top clubs also needing a Centre.

I would rather we spent any available cap money on a top drawer half back or possibly a FB if Platt/Halley dont make that a non option by being consistanly excellent. Halley could be moved to the wing if tadulala is not retained and Platt would be an excellent utility back/competition for FB. We might also need some cap money to spend at prop for an impact prop or replacement for Lynch.

Solomona to be released has to be a no-brainer surely? Menzies to be retained would be a good deal if he keeps up his fitness and form (and I see no reason why he wouldn't - guy is a freak!), and possibly Morrison but I'm very wary of the number of promising kids we supposedly have coming through and we need to make sure they get a fair shout and resigning both our 30+ year old Aussie backrowers might not be the best message for Donaldson and co.

And as for Lynch and Newton, I'm yet to be convinced either of them will be our choice. I could see both going after refusing an offer from us.

Just my random thoughts on the current state of play.

: Thu May 07, 2009 9:14 am  

Duckman wrote:

No they dont, but they are both quality experienced super league centres, and if the club is serious about Crookes potential (and I've seen enough of him that I think we need to give him a shot if he gets over this injury ok) then that 3 with Platt/Menzies as backups would be ok for next year IMO unless a world class Centre became available for the right money, which is doubful with other top clubs also needing a Centre.

I would rather we spent any available cap money on a top drawer half back or possibly a FB if Platt/Halley dont make that a non option by being consistanly excellent. Halley could be moved to the wing if tadulala is not retained and Platt would be an excellent utility back/competition for FB. We might also need some cap money to spend at prop for an impact prop or replacement for Lynch.

Solomona to be released has to be a no-brainer surely? Menzies to be retained would be a good deal if he keeps up his fitness and form (and I see no reason why he wouldn't - guy is a freak!), and possibly Morrison but I'm very wary of the number of promising kids we supposedly have coming through and we need to make sure they get a fair shout and resigning both our 30+ year old Aussie backrowers might not be the best message for Donaldson and co.

And as for Lynch and Newton, I'm yet to be convinced either of them will be our choice. I could see both going after refusing an offer from us.

Just my random thoughts on the current state of play.

Seems a fair enough summing up to me.

The problem lies with player availability though. There just isn't an abundance of world class talent available (as you'd probably expect)