Good one. Plus, if the rugby is $hit again, we'll watch a couple of good bust ups (hopefully) .

One comment that seems to be made about new signings by those who are determined to be positive is”who else was there?”. This is a valid point, and rarely addressed adequately by those inclined to be negative. However, it is also perhaps too easy for the positives to hide behind. Therefore, in the interests of realism, and trying to avoid any factional agendas, I thought that it might be a good idea – instead of simply saying “X is an OK signing”, “Y is a rubbish signing” – actually to analyse the signings in comparison with the other options.

What I have tried to do is to compare like with like – players who have moved either within the UK or into the UK, who have a similar quota status and who play similar positions. Here goesGlenn Hall
Status – full quota
Position – prop / 2nd row
The impression is of someone who has been a steady, solid player for good teams, without ever troubling the representative selectors. Though the same could have been said of Morrison, Hall doesn’t seem to have the same degree of kudos. To cover prop, I’m pretty sure Tronc or O’Meley are better players. To cover 2nd row, the options are less clearHeath L’Estrange
Status – full quota
Position – hooker
L’Estrange’s reputation seems to be similar to that of Hall. In this case, very few hookers have changed clubs – Brad Drew, Andy Eliis, Tommy Lee & Newton. The easiest option would have been to retain Newton, but he just hadn’t been performing for us recently. Drew might have been an option, but despite his undoubted class it would have left us with 2 players of 35+ in the team and would still have used up a quota spot. On the whole, my preference would have been for Lee, reserving the quota spot for another position. However, none of the options available would have inspired. I haven’t considered Scott Moore, as he has simply remained with Saints, despite his recent loan spells.
Conclusion – so-so, but a shame to use up a quota spot.

Brett Kearney
Position – half-back / full-back
Status – full quota
On the assumption that we want to play him in the halves, once again very few half-backs have changed teams. Myler was always going to be out of our range if a transfer fee was demanded, while Drew and Lee, as mentioned above, are primarily hookers. Jeffries had blown hot and cold. The doubt remains over his fitness, of course, but if he stays fit, he has a good reputation as an exciting player.
Conclusion – like it or not, probably the best available.

Stuart Reardon
Position – winger / full-back
Status – home grown
At his best, a good full-back and a competent winger. Leaving character issues aside for a different debate, his injury record is a concern. However, other British outside backs available were not notably better. Paul Johnson’s injury record is no better, and he’s several years older. Neither is Gibson’s, and he hasn’t really progressed. Grix, Ratu or Broughton might have been options, but none of them have proved themselves. Lee Smith would have been ideal, but I doubt we could have competed financially with RU. Perhaps the best bet would have been to keep Tadulala, who would have counted as federation-trained, but even with him there were question marks over his age and a sense that his defence was weakening.
Conclusion – again, like it or not, there appear to have been no obvious alternatives, and may prove good value for money.

Danny Sculthorpe
Position – prop
Status – federation-trained
The most controversial of all, due to poor records with illness, injury, discipline and consistency, as well as questions over his attitude. While no star British props have changed clubs, I would have been haapier with any of Snitch, Haggerty or Fozzard, and no less happy with retaining Matt James.
Conclusion – we could have had it so much better

Chris Walker (assumed)
Position – centre / wing
Status – full quota
Aussie test and Origin player a few years ago, but has had disciplinary problems and run-ins with the law, and is thought to have lost a lot of pace. For a quota player, I would have preferred Soliola, Delaney or Millard.
Conclusion – if true, not impressed.

Overall conclusion – new recruitment individually ranges from “OK, especially as there’s no one better available (Kearney & Reardon) through “OK, but maybe could have been better (Hall & L’Estrange) to “bafflingly poor” (Sculthorpe and possibly Walker). Collectively, it goes nowhere near to addressing the players lost over the last few seasons and leaves us with a considerably worse team than the one that just finished 9th. If our assumed final recruit proves better than Walker, or indeed if we have someone further up our sleeves, this may be turned around, but 2010 is not looking bright.

What you also have to remember is that some players that we were rumoured to be after chose not to join the club.

If we are to believe the stronger, more frequent rumours from on this board, and had things gone a little differently, we could be sitting here with Craig Wing and Daryl Millard on our books. I'd certainly be much more excited about next season if that were the case, but it just wasn't meant to be.

Again if you consider our attempted signing of Aizue a few weeks ago then it becomes even more clear that Sculthorpe was probably our last resort. I still can't get over the 2 year contract though, surely only a 1 year deal would leave him wanting to impress during next season. But now he can rest assured of another season after that regardless of his performance.

Sound analysis there and I don't think anyone can really argue with the view taken on each of our signings.

Seems like we've missed out on some better buys probably down to money. That will continute to be the case until we can bring in more money through being more successful. We're fast returning to the situation we were in prior to SL.

Looks like the kids have to be alright or we're up poop creek!

As I said somewhere else if this squad gets into the 8 it'll be a great achievement. I predict a finish no higher than 9th.

If we don't finish top 8 i will devour my right arm

Duly noted.

I'm sure someone's got some chop sauce you can have with that

I hope you are left handed! but looking at the way you play the guitar I'd say not.

Would you be prepared to do the devouring at a half time- for entertainment purposes?

I think for something like an arm you'd need Tabasco

Just been chilling with the Hood. Looks like on Tuesday Bob Beswick will be unvailed as the next new signing.

Did he mention Marlon Billy?

I think that Brett Kearney is going to be the best signing of the year.

I think that he will rip sides apart and my only concern is that his team mates won't keep up.

Yeh...Half time of the first home game of 2011. Or back end of 2010 if its gone by then.

I heard bbq sauce goes well with arm. I could prepare some form of arm stew

I reckon there's 3 to 4 meals there for you. Definitely a soup too

Although the incoming players don't look to have strengthened the squad overall does nobody else think we badly underperformed for large parts of the season? For example the difference between our starting fullback at the beginning of the year and the bright spark we had there at the end was significant, the difference in Nick Scruton's performances was noticeable and the much derided Platt had redeeming features to his game by the end. If we under performed for a massive slice of the season and finished 9th, even with a apparently weaker squad a par performance should surely get us into the play offs.

I personally think L'Estrange and Hall will prove to be good signings. I'm feeling a little more positive now for some reason, Danny still has most to prove imo, followed closely by Reardon.