We should never have gotten rid of Richie Hawkyard.

Who?

Don't think the Jay Willey thing has anything much to do with the current situation. The problems stem from the time it took to get the OK Bulls set up and the smaller budget at the beginning of the season. Even if Willey had come on board recently there'd be little her money would do at this late stage as all players are contracted.

Think it's more to do with the small squad. I hear there are a lot of players carrying knocks that would normally require a few weeks off or surgery but who are playing on because there's nobody else to come in, this is bound to affect performances. For instance Sammut has been wearing one of those plastic boots for some time due to an ankle problem and hasn't been able to train as much, he's not the only one. Also Jamie Foster's pectoral injury was serious and painful and he's going to take time to get back to full confidence in the tackle. That rather explains the bad tackling versus Hudders.

It's real backs to the wall stuff at the moment.

Exactly!

A wee poser that got a call-up to the first team away to Huddersfield when we used to beat them all the time. Live on Sky. He thought he had all the style. Ridiculous badger style haircut and wearing a pair of bright green boots he was the classic "look at me" player.

Now I have always believed that if you want to stand out, then you had better do for a good reason.

He was useless. Played about three games, including, IIRC, the first game we had lost to Huddersfield in years (it spawned the t-shirts they brought out celebrating the win), and was never seen again.

Went down to the championship with Swinton where he was still out of his depth he has hardly ever featured.

In fact, so bad that he only got ONE game for Scotland.

It is never good to have so many changes in one go, but things must be really bad if the likes of Sykes and K. Pryce are being remembdered fondly. None of the players on the OP's list are really worth worrying about - certainly not of the magnitude of losing Fielden, Peacock and Pryce in a quick spell.

K Pryce has blown more chances than Gazza.

No it's not of the same magnitude but I'd rather have Sykes and K. Pryce this year as back up because we could certainly use their experience atm.

They're not being remembered fondly by me.

Karl Pryce, the big girls blouse that he is, would not be welcome by me back in the team even if the only other choice was to start putting random fans there instead. Sykes is only missed by some fans because he often used to pass to them during a game.

Don't get me wrong I am so happy that we have finally got rid of practically all the deadwood.....but now we are lacking in numbers and Sykes/K. Pryce offered numbers and experience and probably cheap too. Rather have a few of those props though that I mentioned in the OP.

But who would they displace in the side?

Would you pick Pryce over Kear, Foster, Platt or Purtell? I know I wouldn't.
What about Sykes over Sammut, Gale or Addy? No again.

Unless we get another injury or two in those positions, I still wouldn't see any use for them anyway.

I never said I would pick them over the current players........I said they would be good cheap back up. We have no back up halves unless you move players out of position. Sykes has played 6 and does at Wakey and K. Pryce was at 6 in a World Club Challenge for us (can't remember if he played anymore at 6). Also both can cover all backs positions.....but like I said I would prefer the props that I mentioned in the OP.

We're struggling enough without even considering bringing back Pryce and chuffin Sykes!

If we need anyone back it's Hargreaves, Elima and Tom Burgess. BTW Tom Burgess only signed a 1 year deal with Souths. Wonder if he'll re-sign with them or go elsewhere? Is it too much to hope he'll come back?