Will be Paul Sykes.

Not a bad thing I don't reckon. I think he's fairly creative and a good kicker. I'm quite pleased.

Sykes isn't a very good defender in my books, but it's not because of his tackling, more his positioning, at stand off he won't be found wanting as much I believe.

It will also give Crookes the chance to establish himself.

IF true.

A first choice halfback combo of Sykes & Deacon. We'll all have to find some wet paint to get our kicks.

theres no way deacs will be first choice next year if we do make sykes the permanent standoff ( which I wouldnt have a massive problem with btw). With the amount of cap and quota space we have available we'll be bringing someone in for sure. Its unfortunate that deacon is under contract for next year because based on this years performances he wouldnt be offered a new one, but just because we do have him doesnt automatically mean we're going to use him as first choice. we had no problem using an expensive robbie paul as backup in similar circumstances a few years back.

On the other hand, we've had Sykes & Jeffries fit most of this year and he's yet to actually drop Deacon. When I see Deacon left out, I'll believe it. Until that time, it looks more and more like he's guaranteed his spot.

if that turns out to be the case then we can write next year off as well and expect a further drop in attendances to boot.

I wouldn't be that sure he won't. He seems to be undropable as this season shows.

Just the point I've made. When Deacon has been fit he's played.

I think Sykes has done reasonably well for us at stand off and has performed better there than at centre. If this is the plan then it is absolutely crucial we sign a top quality organising scrum half with an excellent kicking game. If we go around again with Deacon then we can forget any play off hopes for next year. And I dread to think how low our crowds would plummet, hopefully that isn't the plan though.

1.Halley
2.Sheriffe/Crookes/Rudd
3.Quality centre.. Brent Tate or similar
4. Nero
5. Tadulala
6. Sykes
7. Quality halfback Orford/Brough

We look a little more likely to be challenging for the top 8 but probably still not strong enough to win a trophy. It would be a decent improvement on this years squad though.

I called this a few weeks ago, not a half-back solution that will capture the imagination and the centre I believe we are signing from our dear neighbours in LS6 won't raise anyone's excitement either.

Who?

Ash Gibson.

Not sure what he will offer us that one of our own young lads couldn't. We need quality, not more average players.

Deacs will be playing 7 again next year, no doubts about it. McNamara will not drop the captain. I wouldn't have a problem with playing Sykes at 6 though, is he a left footer? A least he would give us a left and right kick option with Deacs.

I can't see why we would sign Ash Gibson, he's not very good and lacks size for mine. Jason Crookes isn't very big either but I believe we'd be better off going with one of our own than signing a injury prone lad that can't make it at Leeds. He's not exactly proven quality.

thought he was off to cas, hardly a signing to write home about

your assuming that deacs will remain the captain next year. Wouldnt be at all surprised to see the captaincy go elsewhere next year.