Ok, so I'd consider (at the minute) most players, particularly in the back, as being subject to review for next year's first team, and it's this we should be considering when recruiting. We undoubtedly have the nucleus of a strong side. The question is to what extent we add to that with existing experience/signings.

The 2013 side so far:

1. Hardaker
2. Jones-Bishop
3. Watkins
4.
5. Hall
6. Sinfield
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Ablett
13.

14. Hood
15.
16.
17.

I only include Sinfield because at the minute we have no other player capable of directing us around the park in the way a Briers, Finch or Dureau does. I think the best option for Sinfield would be a straight swap for Ward at 6, but that means retiring Kev very early, or putting him back at 13 (where he apparently doesn't want to play).

Given what I've seen of McShane so far I think Hood is probably our next Hooker, with Burrow best used from the bench as a supersub against tired defences. Ward/McGuire at SO/HB could work, but I'd really like to see us going in for Matty Smith to secure a Ward/Smith halfback combination next year.

The biggest problem though is the pack. Peacock has to go, and we need serious strengthening, both from the return of Ambler & Amor, and from the bringing in of new blood (Elima, Kopczak, Bateman).

All the players are secure in the knowlage that they are under contract. they will not be on pay as you play so to say sling your hook in a salary caped sport could be suicidal. What has Lunt done to justify being purchased from Hudds? one good performance, has Mcshane not just had one of those for Widnes!

What has Hood shown in Super League to make you think he deserves to be on the bench?

It's a bit of a catch 22 what do any young players do in SL to justify selection if they are not given a chance.

Personally Lunt started very stront in his first game and not shown alot since then. Personally mcshane and hood should be given the fair crack which to date neither has had. Sinfield for me needs to return to lock but just cannot see it happening

For next year i'd go:
1 Hardaker
2 BJB
3 Watkins
4 Keinhorst
5 Hall
6 *NEW SIGNING*
7 McGuire
8 *NEW SIGNING*
9 Lunt/Burrow
10 Peacock
11 JJB
12 Ablett
13 Sinfield
14 Lunt/Burrow/Hood
15 Delaney
16 Bailey
17 *NEW SIGNING*
18 Clarkson/Hauraki
19 Ward
20 Griffin
21 Moore
22 *NEW SIGNING*/Amor/Ambler
23 Singleton
24 Hood
25 Leuluai
26 L.Briscoe
27 Olds
28 D.Smith
29 Chisholm

Outs: Kirke (played well this season, however think he will be looking for pastures new at the end of this season)
McShane - probably to Widnes
Hauraki/Clarkson - To allow one of the U20's to come through, i'm torn on which because both are useful players
Smith - replaced by Lunt's hopefully permanent signing
Webb - Already confirmed

The club need to plan longer than 2013.

For me at this moment the only secure, as in building the team around, would be Sinfield at Loose Forward, Ablett in back row, Ward at Stand off, Watkins at Centre, and Hardaker at fullback. That is the platform I would start from and make decisions based on that.

I purposely left Hall out of that, not because I don't think he is secure or shouldn't be secure, but because personally I strongly believe that with a distinct lack of game breaking backrowers around, that I would seriously consider switching him to that role. I know he is an excellent winger, but I have long been of the opinion that wingers are easier to replace, and believe we would get even more by having him involved more.

Gotcha-Sir Kev's going to be 33 end of next year. If we're looking to build a team around someone, I'm afraid Kev's not the man. A glorious retirement he's soon to have, but he's coming to the twilight of his career, and as hard as it is, everyone at the club needs to accept that.

He is the perfect role model for Stevie Ward, and should be working with him over the next three years. Sinfield is supremely fit and looks after himself. He should be back at loose forward, and encouraging Ward to work the plays.

That is how I would be working it.

I agree he should be at the club, no question. But he can't play LF any more (any tbf, he's never been a high-tackle, high-carry LF like O'Loughlin, Langley, Harrison etc), and he doesn't have the pace to play SO long term. I'd keep Kev on as a player-coach to avoid the SC, certainly have him working with Ward, but the time for Kev to be a first choice runs out the end of next season, and we've got to be prepared for that.

Ward seemed very very reluctant to kick when I saw him play, highlighted in the Huddersfield game when the would all rush Sinfield and we would have nobody else to kick the ball.
I'd rather him play at 13 and use his running game and then his ball handling.
I suppose at the end of the day both roles are interchangable.

Kev assistant coach to either Brian Mac or an experienced battle hardened coach.
Bye bye Mr lowes, I have never rated you.