David Armstrong potential signing : Tue Apr 16, 2024 3:40 pm  

The rumour that won't go away seems to be back on and stronger than ever.

Interest in the player has never waned and has not been down played by the club, indeed, Lam senior has spoken in glowing terms of the player and of the club's ongoing interest in signing him.

Today Total Rugby League reports that Castleford are in talks with their overseas signing Albert Vete, who wants to return to Aus and who they don't rate, to release him early from his contract thereby freeing up an overseas quota spot.

Apparently, according to Love Rugby League, Cas are in turn interested in and have made enquiries about signing our Big Ben Nakubuwai to replace Vete.

Should this all go ahead then the reports are that Armstrong will sign for and move to Leigh pretty quickly.

One or two ifs and buts yet the stars seem to be aligning and hopefully Armstrong will soon be a Leopard. Goodness knows we need a lift and possibly this signing could be just that.

Whether he is any good or not is anybody's guess but given our recent impressive track record in unearthing previously hidden gems then hopefully he will be yet another.

Its all speculation of course but this one seems to have mileage.

Re: David Armstrong potential signing : Tue Apr 16, 2024 4:01 pm  

Jack Gaskell wrote: The rumour that won't go away seems to be back on and stronger than ever. Interest in the player has never waned and has not been down played by the club, indeed, Lam senior has spoken in glowing terms of the player and of the club's ongoing interest in signing him. Today Total Rugby League reports that Castleford are in talks with their overseas signing Albert Vete, who wants to return to Aus and who they don't rate, to release him early from his contract thereby freeing up an overseas quota spot. Apparently, according to Love Rugby League, Cas are in turn interested in and have made enquiries about signing our Big Ben Nakubuwai to replace Vete. Should this all go ahead then the reports are that Armstrong will sign for and move to Leigh pretty quickly. One or two ifs and buts yet the stars seem to be aligning and hopefully Armstrong will soon be a Leopard. Goodness knows we need a lift and possibly this signing could be just that. Whether he is any good or not is anybody's guess but given our recent impressive track record in unearthing previously hidden gems then hopefully he will be yet another. Its all speculation of course but this one seems to have mileage. Looks good to me Jack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPisrDA7eaM

Jack Gaskell wrote: The rumour that won't go away seems to be back on and stronger than ever. Interest in the player has never waned and has not been down played by the club, indeed, Lam senior has spoken in glowing terms of the player and of the club's ongoing interest in signing him. Today Total Rugby League reports that Castleford are in talks with their overseas signing Albert Vete, who wants to return to Aus and who they don't rate, to release him early from his contract thereby freeing up an overseas quota spot. Apparently, according to Love Rugby League, Cas are in turn interested in and have made enquiries about signing our Big Ben Nakubuwai to replace Vete. Should this all go ahead then the reports are that Armstrong will sign for and move to Leigh pretty quickly. One or two ifs and buts yet the stars seem to be aligning and hopefully Armstrong will soon be a Leopard. Goodness knows we need a lift and possibly this signing could be just that. Whether he is any good or not is anybody's guess but given our recent impressive track record in unearthing previously hidden gems then hopefully he will be yet another. Its all speculation of course but this one seems to have mileage. Looks good to me Jack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPisrDA7eaM

Re: David Armstrong potential signing : Tue Apr 16, 2024 5:01 pm  

Thanks Cokey.

With all the usual caveats attached to highlights packages, he does look tasty. He seems to be blessed with genuine pace and an eye for a gap which is something that we are currently somewhat lacking.

Could be very interesting. I hope that we get him.

Re: David Armstrong potential signing : Wed Apr 17, 2024 3:57 pm  

Today's press conferences suggests that this will not be happening. Cas also looking at other options as well as Nakubuwai, who is also injured.

I found Lam's comments quite odd though. Said we needed Nakubuwai and he plays every week, but also needs more minutes and may end up out on loan when players are back. While at the same time saying he's very interested in Armstrong. Something has to give if a quota spot is to be freed up.

With O'Brien out, I think we need to do what we can to get Nak off the books and get Armstrong in.

Re: David Armstrong potential signing : Thu Apr 18, 2024 3:39 pm  

Yes, agreed that we need reinforcements in that position. Personally I am not happy with Moylan playing at full back. We need him at half back.

I also agree that Lam senior's comments were confusing and contradictory.

He clearly says that Big Ben is not going anywhere. Yet this is the very same man who repeatedly denied that the club were interested in signing his own son. Then, after Lachlan signed for us it emerged that Dad had previously been quizzing Lachlan on a weekly basis about his son's potential availability and interest in coming over to Leigh!

In relation to current potential signing machinations, I smell the scent of smoke and mirrors.

Watch this space. I think Big Ben is leaving soon - when fit - and Armstrong is coming.

Re: David Armstrong potential signing : Thu Apr 18, 2024 9:00 pm  

I hope the end of your post is correct Jack, and I also agree with the beginning, that I too am not convinced Moylan at 1 is our best attacking potential right now. But I do trust he (Lam) knows his stuff and that Moylan is a quality 1 (but a better 6)

Re: David Armstrong potential signing : Thu Apr 18, 2024 10:00 pm  

I'm not comfy with Zak at FB, so Moylan it is until further developments transpire.

Re: David Armstrong potential signing : Fri Apr 19, 2024 12:52 am  

Moylan needs to be at 1 in my opinion as we need that extra pivot.

Big Ben can go on Loan for the season in the Championship and we can still sign Armstrong ??

Either way, i am quietly optimistic as we definitely need more pace in the backs.

Re: David Armstrong potential signing : Fri Apr 19, 2024 7:42 am  

Snowy wrote:

Moylan needs to be at 1 in my opinion as we need that extra pivot.

Big Ben can go on Loan for the season in the Championship and we can still sign Armstrong ??

Either way, i am quietly optimistic as we definitely need more pace in the backs.

In theory, yes he can. But if he goes on loan, gets injured then that will have implications for someone on our salary cap but not registered to play for us I think. Given how desparate we are to free up a spot, and I assume he's on a 1 year deal, then we need to get him off the books completely. And he needs to find a club where he'll get more than 15 minutes a week and isn't actively trying to get rid.

Re: David Armstrong potential signing : Fri Apr 19, 2024 8:59 am  

Now being reported that Cas will be using their overseas spot on Tex Hoy. Never thought i'd ever be so irritated at another club signing a player that's been released by another poor team. We were releasing Nakubuwei and signing Armstrong a few days ago.