Not sure if our recent cashflow issues will have any influence on further recruitment but a quick look at next year's likely squad as us with the same number of players as has been used in 2013. We're at the moment looking a bit light on experience in the backrow and on pace in the centres. Any more signings to come? I heard we were interested in a centre and a backrower but it's gone quiet.

Another backrower? Why?
Ferguson, Bateman, Olbison, Addy, Donaldson, Walker, Blythe, Roberts and Mellor can all play there.
I'd say we need another front rower and certainly another centre as our main priorities.

I noticed that Liam McAvoy has been released by the Rhinos. So in the space of two seasons he's gone from being an england academy player to having no club at all. How the hell does that happen?

Compared to the current squad, I think we're much stronger. As northus said, it hink we're very strong in the back row. Very excited about Ferguson, Carvell certainly adds some beef to our front row.

Our back line is pretty much the same except we're losing Lulia and gaining George. George is much quick than Lulia, although Lulia is the better player. Gaskell has some speed too. I'd like one or two more decent signings, but if we went into the 2014 current season with the current squad i'd be pretty happy.

We've a lot of backrowers but we've never replaced Elima. We need someone who can break the line or who can hurt in defence, none of the current lot have that x factor. We have some steady eddies and some promising kids IMO. Looking at those numbers though I can't see us signing a rough tough backrower. A chance for the existing lads to show they're up to it I suppose.

Blythe I reckon will play mainly in the centres. With him and Purtell there I think we lack pace and penetration. I can run faster than Purtell.

With Lulia leaving, does this give us another free overseas spot?

Not sure, I thought the quota was reducing by 1 next year iirc? From 5 to 4, leving us with purtell, Heath, Kearney and manuakofoa I think. But I can't find any confirmation of that at the mo, just the 5 for 2013.

Nope quota stays at 5 next year and we have someone lined up.

A kiwi

But not matalino!

No

When is it likely to be announced??

We still need some PACE imo.

or Wing.

and of course a decent No 7,but it looks as though we are stuck with what we've got.

Gaskell should add a bit of vision at half back and let's hope he can now show the promise that he displayed when he broke into the Saints team alongside Eastmond/Lomax etc.

I don't suppose Eastmond is free?

Nahh,didn't think soicon_smile.gif

I'd imagine once rate of season ticket sales starts to drop off. No point announcing everything at once need to keep interest up during ticket sale period.

As it stands we're a prop and a strike left centre short. Agree with Bullseye about the type of second rower we've got plus moving Langley to prop and Elima leaving meant we lack size and mongrel in the backrow.

One way to counteract that is make sure you start the season with 6 props.

I think that Ferguson may go a long way to providing what we need in the back row.