Ive got a litle bit bored looking on here and most of the talk is about the DR situation so thought we could have a look at some possible line ups and try and look where our strength and weaknesses may lie in the squad.

Full Back

Miles Greenwood
Joe Martin

Wings

Gareth Potts
Alex Brown
James Saltonstall
Tommy Saxton

Centres

Ste Tyrer
Chris Taylor
Ben Heaton

Half Backs

Ben Johnston
Matt Place
Scott Murrell

Props

Richard Moore
Luke Ambler
Mitch Calahane
Adam Tamgata
Andy Bracek

Hooker

Paul Mennell
Ben Kaye
Keith Holden
Ryan Maneely

Back Rowers

Ross Divorty
Dane Manning
Jack Spencer
Adam Robinson


I think overall the squad looks to have a pretty good balance to it. We may be a bit light in a couple of areas if we did pick up any injuries but we have a few players capable of filling in well in other positions and its clear with a pretty small squad why loans or the dreaded DR may be seen as an option.

At full back we have the best player in the division from last season in Miles Greenwood who we know all about so we have not got many worries there and we should see a lot of tries from him. As back up we saw what Joe Martin is capable of in the last game of the season and if needed himself and a couple of others can fill in there.

In the backs we picked up Alex Brown who caused us no end of trouble in the games against us and was easily Batleys best player in the game against us at the mount. I wasnt a big Potts fan to start with but thought he finished the season in good form after his injury and can see him pushing for a starting place. We know exactly what we are getting from Saxton and Saltonstall was joint best player in the next division down and sounds to be ripping it up in training and may turn out to be a bit of a surprise package if he can get past Saxton for what I would expect to be the 2nd wing berth alongside Brown.

At centre could be a spot we may be a bit light if we picked up any injuries but Tyrer had his best season for us last year and was back to looking like the potential he showed early in his career, in Chris Taylor we got a bit of a coup getting Wigan to let him come to us as once he settled at Haven he had a good run once playing at Centre.

In the halfs you would expect Johnson and Place to start there but it all depends on the structure that RM goes for and whether he sees Murrell as a 13 or a 6. Im expecting a big year from Johnson this year playing under a coach who will let him express himself rather than trying to stop him taking players on. Matt Place is a bit of an unknown but on the videos looks a decent organizer with a good kicking game but we shall see.

I don't think we had a problem in the pack last season I thought it was more how they were asked to play. Im looking forward to our Aus and Cooke Islanders playing as both looked pretty good in the videos and both playing a ton of minutes and making a massive amount of tackles something which we lacked last season from a couple of other props. No matter what Leigh think, for me in Ambler we have the best prop in the division it would be nice to see a bit more aggression from him at times but he made team of the week most weeks and that wasnt by chance. Then we have Bracek who was one of our better players last season so we know what we are getting there along with Richard Moore who along with the overseas players adds a bit of size to our pack.

The back row is probably one of our strongest positions with Divorty and Manning probably been 2 of the best in the division and we have done great to hold on to them both. I think we will see a lot more from Spencer this season with a full off season under his belt for us and hopefully we can see more from Robinson who in glimpses has looked pretty good.

For me we look stronger than last season but a lot will be on how RM goes as a coach and how he can get us playing, I think its fair to say under a good coach we would have easily finished 2nd last season and this season we really need to be pushing for that important 4th place with the team we have.

Saltonstall is a Centre I believe?

I think if some of our fringe players can throw down the gauntlet and give RM a few selection problems and our overseas players are better than average, we will have a very strong squad. Confidence will be the main factor so a good start to the season is crucial, an ingredient that all our competitors will be striving for.

That's a good post GFB and a pretty comprehensive assessment to whet the new season's appetite.I expect a hooker to leave sometime soon but don't see an obvious weak area as yet.

who do you expect to be our 2 hookers? From what I've heard the lad fromwire (Maneely) has pace to burn and likes to run from dummy half so has to have a spot. and Holden for me is pure class. Mennell as a half back and Kaye as cover for me

Wouldn't bother me if we got rid of Ben Kaye.

My side would be

Greenwood no relation
Potts
Tyrer
Taylor
Brown
Johnstone
Place
Ambler
Mennell

Tangata
Manning
Divorty
Murrell

Subs

Calahane
Manelee
Bracek
Robbo


May change once I have seen how the new boys go for a couple of games. Plenty of choice on the wing hence no a Tommy. Gone for pace and don't know much about Saltenstall. May Swap the two overseas forwards round too. Could play Tommy at centre if Taylor doesn't do the business or Heaton. What do we do for goal kicker if Ste Tyrer is off form or injured.? Only top goal kicker in squad. Unless one of new boys is a kicker.

Just thought I'd do my team for a bit of fun.

Glad I don't have to pick the squad on a matchday, I can't believe some of the players I've left out but here goes.

Greenwood

Brown
Taylor
Tyrer
Saltonstall

Place
Johnstone

Ambler
Holden
Moore
Manning
Divorty
Murell

Maneeley
Calahane
Tangata
Robinson

I can easily see this side in the top 4


Can't wait for the season to begin.

I agree with your optimism but that's tempered by the fact that we don't really know
how good half the squad is.

Miles Greenwood couldn't tackle a good dinner , has a bit of speed , never rated him at Leigh, however I still hope Fax do okay as I like to see a happy Halifaxjohn and Bentley man.

I did I think he is a very good player.

I would go the same only difference is I would have Mennell start at Hooker and Maneely coming off the bench. I think Holden and Maneely are too alike so I think maybe one will miss out. Nice having 4 props in the team capable of doing 3/4 of the game which could make a big difference.

The main word being DID I was glad when we showed him the door , he can't tackle but neither could Fieldhouse, the meeting of the Fax pack and the Leigh pack should be good , I can't wait .

Happiness is my middle name, Charlie, and whatever Miles can't eat I will help him.

Good to see the focus turning to the players and the RL, here's my two penneth for what it's worth, without knowing how pre-seasons going?

Greenwood (class act despite what the clown from Lancashire says)

Brown
Tyrer (gets the nod just due to goal kicking ability)
Saltonstall
Saxton

Place
Johnstone

Ambler
Mennell
Calahane

Manning (full 80 mins)
Divorty (full 80 mins)
Murrell

Subs
Maneeley
Tangata
Moore
Taylor

For me it's going to a little nerve wracking to see what standard our Aussies are at, let's hope its the one positive thing we can take from the last regime. Would also be great to see Taylor, Saltonstall and Maneeley make names for themselves.

Looking forward to it.

mine

1.Greenwood
2.Saltonstall
3.Tyrer
4.Taylor
5.Brown
6.Place
7.Johnston
8.Moore
9.Holden
10.Ambler
11.Manning
12.Divorty
13.Murrell (c)

14.Maneely
15.Cahalane
16.Tangata
17.Bracek

think Murrell at 13 gives us more options when kicking in general play and better with ball in hand as well