So if we think the pack needs refreshing then who goes out of Peacock, Kylie, Griffin, Moore, Bailey, Kirke. I would suggest of those listed 2 have to go for any refreshing to be effective. My selection would be Kirke and Kylie both of which would cost.
If we are bringing on players then Elima and Kopczak and Amor would be good. I would also aggressively go after Tim Smith who I think is OOC at Wakefield and would release Sinfield back into LF. Stevie Ward would get another year or so to develop to become a regular at either LF or SO.
Luke Burgess was only released early. He always intended going to Australia so there was nothing we could do to keep him so there was no decision to make that could be construed as being bad.

You are joking about going after Tim Smith,surely we can do better than that?

The last thing we need is another half back. We already have 3 and don't know what to do with them.
I'd love to see Elima at Leeds, yes he gives penalties away but he runs hard and provides aggression to the backrow, something we are lacking. The only other move in the forwrds I think we need to make is to bring Amor back. He can take over some of Peacock & Leuluai's workload, both of whom I still think have something to offer just in shorter game time and not as the clubs primary props anymore.
In the backs, the best move would probably be a centre. I'd be fairly happy with Millard if he's available. Then Hardaker to full back would be my choice.
In the halves I'd go with Ward & McGuire, Sinfield back to LF but able to cover stand off to allow for Ward's development. Burrow off the bench at hooker.

As for hooker, it depends what the plan is for McShane. If he's not in the plans then I think Lunt is a perfectly adequate hooker.

As for players to leave, well I wouldn't be too upset to see Smith leave, although I'd happily keep him if he's happy to be a backup. Same goes for Kirke.
Obviously Webb is off anyway so should free up a decent salary cap chunk.
Unsure about Hauraki, sometimes he looks good, others I barely know he's on the pitch. Would be tempted to let him go, cap/contract permitting.

I don't think we need too much of a clearout, more a re-defining of players importance in the squad and their roles.

NantwichEjaculate (over the Kids)

He's playing a hell of a sight better than our current SO!

Surely we can do better than that!!

I agree with your suggested "ins" and "outs". I think all the players are OOC and hopefully GH agrees!

Out: Head-Coach and his acolytes.

In: An outsider who can instill some discipline, pride and a game-plan.

That's the starting point, IMO. Without doing that first the rest is akin to rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.

I concur....but are the acolytes not headed up by the CEO ?

I don't think the CEO will be going anywhere unless he decides to. I just accept that situation as a non-negotiable point of fact.

He provides the coach with a squad and the squad with a coach. Getting the correct blend is the all important part.

Smith at Leeds (2004) took over more or less the same squad as Powell had, Maguire at Wigan (2010) got more or less the same squad as Noble.

The results and performance levels achieved were markedly improved by having the right coach in place. A coach the players listened to because they could see he had a plan, he knew where he wanted to go and he knew how to get there.

For me:

Outs: L. Smith, B. Webb, L. Ambler, W. Hauraki, I. Kirke, R. Moore, S. Lunt, B. Jones-Bishop.

Ins: D. Williams (Manly), E. Whitehead, C. Kopzcak (Bradford), K Amor (Wakefield), A Walmsley (Batley), Dan Sarginson (London Broncos)

I'll say again, I don't see any value in Williams, even if its to allow someone else to move to full back. Waste of a quota space and cap money.

It's interesting you have BJB on your "outs" list. I do have worries about the lad in defence especially at FB and he sometimes appears too fragile (ironic when comparing him to Watkins). I wouldn't be surprised to see him moving on ....although, however, I would much rather see BJB on the wing than the hapless Lee Smith.

More than ever maybe it [uis[/u about time Chisholm was given his chance.