Anyone notice the short story in League Express about us being after a halfback on loan from another club? Seems the salary demands scuppered the deal but Kear seems to be looking around for some deal to cover the loss of Chisholm and injury to Keyes. Any ideas who we could be looking at?

I think Lilley and Milnes are the long term option but still have a lot to learn. I’m hopeful Keyes may yet return. He’s still around as he was there yesterday and on Good Friday.

It was in the T&A as well.

I'd guess we are interested, if one with the right credentials were available at the right price, but mid-season there won't be many about. Agree about Lilley and Milnes and Keyesy too, though IF it turns out we're down to two then we're taking a risk with injuries - especially with our luck.... I guess JK knows far more than us about Joe's injury and when and if he's likely to be available and, as I haven't a clue who might be in the market, then I'm keeping my fingers crossed on what we've got not getting injured.

We are having to play a variety of young men in both half-back positions in our first season back in the Championship, when what we needed was an old-stager (perhaps one that rhymes with dusty bin who inexplicably has always failed to join us). They may well be the future, but not ideal for where we are now.

Oh, go on, be enigmatic then...

In this day and age, it's a surprise that they cannot fathom what is wrong with the lad's back. I know it's complex as to whether it's skeletal, muscle or because of a conjoined twin that is secretly biting his spine, but you'd think they'd have narrowed it down by now.

Not altogether sure I agree with Milnes and Lilley not being ideal for our situation at present. We have to keep our spending under control and the potential of the 2 guys plus Keyes (if he returns) would appear to be fine for this division.
I just wish that someone would coach a more attacking flair into their plays, as even I can read their moves, and I never played the game! They might well be playing under strict conservative JK orders, but things do seem to happen when they're let off the leash - such as the final minutes against Fax and Fev.
Surely what they need is a specialist (?) attack coach to help give them more options?

Tell you what, having watched Toronto v fev yesterday ide be going to fev and asking how much for that jack bussey,, what a player

I know what you mean. There are so many things which can go wrong with someone's back it's full of bones, muscles and tendons - and plenty of other things I can't pronounce (and probably not spell..) and I suppose much is treatable and you could carry on a normal life without too much bother. The problem could be deciding whether professional rugby league could be thought of as 'normal life'. It certainly wouldn't be thought of as normal wear and tear.

I hope that's not the case. Both for Joe's career and the club, as he's a young man with lot's of ability and good future if he can get over the injury.

Bussey was fantastic yesterday, I can't remember seeing one guy making so many clean breaks against a good team at this level. He has a reputation for being a bit "grubby" and in fairness that reputation isn't unearned (albeit mostly from a couple of bad incidents last year), but he's actually a very bright, smart player and if he can keep out of the disciplinary room he'll be a huge asset to us. He wasn't the only Fev player to make multiple clean breaks in the game though

In answer to the OP its Ryan Brierley

I'd heard his name mentioned but would he fit the bill for us? He always struck me as more of a support player.

Don't think that's a bad thing. Constantly buzzing around the play the ball would create more space for the half backs. When Minchella goes in at 13 we do look better as he links up with the HBs creating more space for them. When we have someone like Hallas or Wood at 13, Milnes & Lilley look isolated.

Certainly agree with that. We do need Mini in the middle as he has an offload and can break a tackle. That said I like Wood for his defence and workrate.

I think if Milnes and Lilley ran straighter and drew in defenders the outside backs would have more space. Saying that there were occasions yesterday where they were totally isolated with nobody trying to run off them.

It would help if Lilley knew how to draw a man. He's passing the ball far, far too early at the minute and it's too easy for the defence to slide across.

Brierleys not the name I’d heard, must be looking at two