I guess it's not very easy sorting out signing a proven halfback. Not a surprise. A shame though as someone like Pryce would make such a difference. With the squad as is we should be good enough for 8th. The lack of depth at halfback is a worry but depth elsewhere should mean we aren't quite as shot as last year. If we lose Herbert then we're looking at 7th/8th at best I fear.

We'll have to see what happens. Hood did say more signings to come which there will be, it could be in months rather than weeks though. I guess we'll have to be patient.

Given what's been said we'd have to assume that we're currently under the cap. Ideally we'd want a pryce or a chase but if they're just not available then far better to wait for quality and see what happens in the next 6 months than to rush and give a contract to someone that we want rid of next year. That ability to wait is the mark of a top side and how it acts.

Who Bosc?

Hey we released a statement saying we expect Orford to be at training. I think saints saying about Pryce's training is just to keep rumours not going out of control and make sure all business is done behind closed doors. at the end of the day non of us know for sure so just wait and see

Do we have much room left currently on the cap to sign a quality player, wouldn't of thought scully and worrincy we're on big bucks so don't we need to offically offload Orford first? as his salary will still count won't it under the 'real time' Salary cap?

www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic=210699

www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic=210699

at time he asked for his release and we subsequently signed herbert, there was a mention that we were in consultation/taking advice from RFL in how we handled Orford release. given that technically orford still takes a quota spot we shouldnt have been able to sign herbert.

Edit: just to add to above

just seen an interesting comment on T&A website in comments on shirt release story. Someone posted an email purporting to be from stuart duffy (take that with a pinch of salt as the poster has been known to be a bit iffy mind). In it stuart says we have special dispensation from RFL to sign herbert and go over the quota limit, Whilst Orford remains on both our salary cap and quota. However the RFL will not register Herbert as a player for us until Orford release is finalised and his quota spot is free'd up. IF Orford is still being paid and counting towards salary cap that would certainly explain why signings have gone quiet. I'd imagine we had enough cap space to accomodate Herbert even with Orford still on books but we would certainly need him off to accomodate any more.

You lot are just greedy

How many new players do you want......you've already got about 10 new faces for next season haven't you?

I've never known a team make so many changes at once.

Integrating just 4/5 new players and settling them into new environmemt/team structures etc can be difficult and create its own problems but you lot are trying it with about 10 new players and a new coach as well.

Hope they gell quickly

At least we've got a coach with experience of getting large groups of players together quickly. Potter's experience with Catalans should help us integrate all these new signings.

I'm still not convinced we have the quality or cover necessary at halfback but elsewhere the squad looks fine to me.

Exactly where I am too. Herbert I can give the benefit of the doubt, as I honestly don't know how good or bad he is. Kearney is a decent halfback without ever going to be a world beater there. After that, we're looking at young lads or out of position players. The thought of Sykes at 6 again really doesn't fill me with any confidence at all.

It's a shame we haven't got the same depth in the halves that we have everywhere else.

When Kearney played S/O with orford he looked good and its got to be remembered that its difficult for a HB to look good with no weapons. Whilst he is almost certainly a better FB, this is because he had played more time there.

With the cover at FB, he isnt a bad option and will provide a pacy partnership with herbert (v good player who was 1st choice at Canberra at the start of last year). Obv injuries are the concern if we dont make a signing but im lead to believe Leon is still a distinct possibility.

RE Hall, the bulls are certainly looking to offload and that is why hood didnt rule out monaghan even without the quota spot. both his and waggas salary expectations are causing a hold up at the minute i believe

Kearney is more of a runner than an organiser and doesn't have any kicking game to speak of. A lot of pressure will be on Herbert. I expect we'll see a lot more of Southernwood in 2011 too. Hope he's putting some bulk on this close season.

I would expect we'd have an idea soonish of the Squad anyway, as now that the new kits are out, it would make sense to get the squad numbers out fairly soon. Purely because until they're out, the shop are potentially losing money on shirt printing (which at £15 a pop, has to be fairly profitable). That's certainly the main reason behind Wire & Saints releasing their numbers already.