Having just read that article, I can't see where he says Merrin is likely to come back, however he makes it pretty clear they are going to give McClelland a go at hooker aswell as Johnson.


And it does confirm Ferres will be at the club next year, which rightly or wrongly I always thought would be the case.

I think everyone agrees. Problem is that as things stand, we can't import. Hence the lateral thinking by some and why McShane is being mentioned by others.

Exactly. There's a big difference between saying we *could* explore moving players around to make the best of the contracted squad, and that we *should* do it. It would be great if Myler moved on and we had enough cap space to sign a top hooker, but needs must if there isn't cap space. Agree on the importance of the hooking role, esp. now half back has been sorted (in theory, at least).

Can't believe we'r keeping ferres on, he's absolutley useless. Any gametime he gets infront of Muizz, Trout, Walters or Smith is a complete waste. If he's on a tenner a month its too much.

The coaching team must think Walters,Muizzi and Trout are not ready for SL at this present time.

Peter Smith was saying we are looking to bring in a 9 so I think that is on the cards. Whether Merrin goes or stays we needed another good prop anyway so I find it strange it's hanging on the Merrin situation. Golding and Parcell gone Singleton and Myler likely to, surely there must be salary cap to do so.

Parcell was replaced on the cap mid season. In theory we’ve had Walters, Ormondroyd, Mullally, Parcell, Lolohea, Watkins, Lunt, JJB, Ablett out of our squad from 12 months ago, with possibly Myler, Singleton, Merrin and Albert to leave. Replaced by Lui, Gale, Martin, Mellor and Seumnaufagai. With upgrades to the youngsters too. There will be some salary cap left, but not much until the others leave.

I’m all for promoting within, but we need structure around the ruck and Dwyer doesn’t give us that? Is Johnson ready for that, as 9 is very pivotal position. As for Mclleland are they thinking along the lines of Burrow?

Ablett wasnt on the cap last year. The club got exemption for him and Crosby and we was still upto the limit by the end. Crosby's salary will need to go back on for next season.

Think you can only get exemption on one player. And you have to apply for it, which is usually made public.

Id be suprised if we managed to get Ablett off the cap wasn’t he named and actually did the warm up in the Hull FC away game?

Correct, he was named in a 19 man squad once in the season and was about to play before an injury so he will be on the cap for last season.

All requests for exemptions are made public, so Leeds didn’t make any at all, Allbeit they could of done.

Theyl never be ready if we keep plodders like Ferres and give him game time in front of them.

Both Ablett and Crosby was given exemption mid season. I am unsure if Ablett being named in the 19 at Hull means he will go back on the cap. Given the news yesterday i suspect the club arent sure either.

Looks as though Merrin is on his way back to the UK judging on Instagram.