Think if we stay up then we need to be getting in the top 4 next season. If we manage that we may well hang onto many of our younger lads since they'll be getting regular games and get the chance to play vs SL opposition (at least until they move the goalposts again).

That'll be the Hull FC fans.

If we want promotion i reckon it will be top 2 we'll need to aim for. I reckon the eights will be scrapped. 14 team SL. Top 2 of championship and bottom 2 of SL then have a play-off for place in SL.

We are nowhere near being able to contest for promotion. Let's not get ahead of ourselves and just make it through this season. If we manage that, then we build gradually.
Even if franchising does come back, we have no right to demand a place considering how badly our owners at the time managed to screw things up the last time we had one.

Indeed. Let's aim for top 4 next season. That's something we failed to achieve last year remember.

We'll need to recruit well if we stay up as a lot of our players will either be retiring or going to their parent clubs.

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I think we need to recruit well now, in order to stay up..(2 forwards)...our lads now are doing a good enough job a little cover and experience would be a nice luxury.
another point of note if Toovey's Visa is to be sorted this week, I would take it that Phoenix will be on his way too..

I'm sure we're trying to recruit some permanent signings.

I suspect the most well known free agents (Bailey and Harrison) won’t come cheap. As has been said before Bailey would be good if he was 100% committed but could be an expensive waste if he wasn’t. Harrison would be decent, provided he was over his injuries. We don’t want any crocks.

Aside from those two I’d say we may be better looking overseas or just waiting to see who becomes available after Easter. It may also be the case we need a hooker before long but I hope not.

If we stop up we’re going to need at least 3 props, 2 backrowers and a halfback. That’s quite a shopping list.

Recruiting for next season will be really difficult. We should use loans as best we can. Get in early and ask if we can take players like Lilley, Oledski and Murray on full seasons, or at least next year's versions of them.

Ideally I would like to keep all the above for as long as possible but it's probably not going to happen so best start looking and planning now.

Harrison would be a great signing this season as he plays all over the pack, stick him into the backrower and take the pressure from young players like Wilkinson and Bentley. They've done really well, but they will benefit from a rest as well. Obviously can't break the bank for him but if he wants to get his career back on track then we could be a good shout for him, I suspect it will be Leigh or Hull Kingston however.

Scott Moore, would love him signed up, provides so much direction.

Another nice surprise yesterday was Caro at 2nd row, a big strong quick lad..he looked more useful there than on the wing.
And who doesn't need a 2nd row forward that can go the full length?

I'd be on the phone to Warrington trying to get Ben Julien on loan for a while. Same with Philbin although he's on the fringes of the first team so he'd probably be more unlikely.
Julien is a very good young player though and would go well in the second row or loose for us (I think he played in the centres for Wire's 19s recently).

Julien or Philbin might be a good shout for a loan I think we're in more need of props.

We've got Bentley, Larroyer, Wilkinson, JJR and Roche as backrowers.

Caro went alright yesterday but I still think he could run the ball in with more vigour. Not sure he's a long term solution at second row.

Definately need at least another prop forward, but I'd say equally as much as a back rower.

I wouldn't feel comfortable sending Bentley, Wilkinson, and JJR out together if we had to. As good as these young players have shown up this season I think we need some experience in there. Harrison would be ideal for me, apart from only being 1 body, when we probably need three more, he fits to the experienced bill and can play in the pack anywhere. Bailey and Harrison, that would be class. I think Bailey is a non starter though.

I can't understand the logic in people wanting to sign Bailey, I really can't. The last few years of his career should be enough to tell you that it would be a waste of everyone's time and money. He's retired now so god knows what his fitness levels have dropped to.
It would be the Mathers signing all over again.

Right now they shouldn't be committing to anything until Toovey is officially in and can have his say. He must know some young boom props over in Aus wanting to make a name for themselves...

If we achieve that I believe it will be the first time in 9/10 seasons where we will have finished higher than the previous season.

Yeah, on the assumption (?) we can stay in this division at the end of [ithis[/i season that is a fair assessment of where we might be next time around.

Obviously, we don't know how finances are going to stack up, and much water is still to flow under a fair number of bridges, but I suspect, with a leaner squad of players than over previous years, who are [iall[/i actually going to play, the money side should be infinitely better than it has been in the recent past. So, I'd expect we'd try to keep as many of the 'kids' as possible, bring in some 'proper, signings, and come up with a few loans where necessary.

Have to say, it would be nice to have one of those 'old-fashioned' forums to hear, first hand, what management have in their minds and the odd rousing speech from a Paul Medley type speaker..