Well the fact that nothing has been announced yet tells me that we won't accept a loan deal, as whilst there will be plenty of NRL clubs willing to do a loan deal, much fewer (if any) will be willing to buy

Either that or we are making sure we have signed a replacement before we let him go (more likely a 7 than a 1 though, as Sutcliffe and possibly watkins would be good enough to be our top fullback)

Watkins has been nothing short of crap at full back whenever he's played there. not sure why people are obsessed with moving quality players out of their best position. moon is another one. quality centre, rubbish half back

I agree, although I could see Watkins moving into the halves at some point in the future. He could be a very similar half to Leon Pryce IMO.

What have you seen in Watkins to say he could play in the halves?

That's the in vogue thing isn't it, or at least it was a few years back take your best strike player and put him at fullback where he gets more time and space. See Tomkins, Lomax etc for examples. It's a bad idea and IMO stopped the development of English halves for a bit IMO.

Watkins best position in centre, he can adequately cover anywhere in the back five, but I would never want to see him in the halves. He could have made a top class fullback but I think he coasts games as it is and would be more likely to do this at fullback.

i don't think he has the agility for full back. i'm not sure sutcliffe does too

I don't think you mean agility there, Watkins has the best footwork and balance in the league, do you mean he doesn't have the engine for it?

I don't think either players best position is fullback, however I think we would be better suited buying an organising 7 and allow Sutcliffe to develop his kicking and (to a lesser extent) pass selection in a position where he would have less pressure on him, in the way Michael Morgan did

Watkins would more likely be cover if Sutcliffe or a half were to get injured

no I meant agility. look at golding, he;s quick and agile. Watkins is power and great footwork. he struggles at chasing back, bending to pick up then get going.

Not really disagreeing with the point, but think a lot of this can be dealt with with positioning etc which only comes with experience in the position.

possibly. i hope sutcliffe proves me wrong but i thing holding has far more potential as a full back. just my opinion mind and as my mrs says i'm never right!

Back on subject and let's have Zak off to cas and we'll take Roberts in exchange!

I also rate Golding who remember has time on his side. On Sutty I still don't think he's a 1 or a 6, for me he looks like a 13 who can cover six if needed. My only worry is that shuffling him around too much will be to his detriment, a bit like it was with Lee Gaskell. Like you I hope he proves me wrong, and I wouldn't be adverse to give him another go at 6 with the right people around him, namely a fit McGuire (or other half) and Segeyaro.