Always surprises me that since Harrison really, we never look at players in the lower divisions. There are some cracking players down there whose hunger and ability could really add something to our squad. For example, Sam Barlow at Halifax, Just got named in the team of the year for that division and the Fax fans rave about him!! Other teams better than us have a scout about there, prime example Chris Hill at Wire. Also saints have just signed that young lad from Batley who looks special, same as Leeds with Hardaker. Why do we never seem to pick up any of these young guys, surely it would be cheaper as well than picking up yet another bloody aussie!!

You signed Andy Coley from Swinton for nowt.

lol Brilliant !! I have no idea how to respond to that post!!

If I supported Salford I'd be hoping some of the coaching staff attend the U20's GF on Saturday between Wire & Saints with a cheque book handy.

There'll be 30+ players there, many of whom will have to move on because they are reaching the age limit, but simply can't all get places in the full Wire/Saints squads ....... possibly 5 or 6 can be retained by each - and there'll be some very decent young players looking for somewhere else to prove their worth.

Completely agree. I think we lose too many good youngsters because the top clubs just cannot keep them all on, some filter down to other clubs but some just drop out of the game altogether. If we can pickup a few youngsters that Saints of Wigan deem not superstars then I would be happy with that. Much better to get young guys who are going to improve rather than old guys who are on the decline.

Why would we want any of their players when we have had to dispose of lots of our own lads due to the same rule, none are better than some of our home grown lads, sadly we simply dont have the money to keep them on.

Fair argument, but thats not to say that none of their young guys are better than ours. In a weird way this lack of cash could mean a real strategic shift in the club with more emphasis on youngsters coming through. It has alway bugged me how we haven't promoted enough young guys from our academy, but hopefully by doing this now it would show that we are a club that will give youth a chance and that young guys should sign for us. I would much rather watch a young lad come through the academy that sign someone so hopefully the club really push on with this now.

Would hope that the new investment is concluded/secured soon as I'd love to get Fielden from Wigan (www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/19760464) as he's the sort of steely front rower at the rigt age I'd like to see added to the props. - The right sort of experienced star to compliment the greater numbers of younger players we seem destined to have in the squad next season.

Would hope that the new investment is concluded/secured soon as I'd love to get Fielden from Wigan (www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/19760464) as he's the sort of steely front rower at the rigt age I'd like to see added to the props. - The right sort of experienced star to compliment the greater numbers of younger players we seem destined to have in the squad next season.

I feel if we could get Fielden and Lima, it could possibly solve our forward problem.
Everyone knows its the weak link in the props where we have had problems

You will get Barlow from Fax shortly

Well fingers crossed about Barlow! Am not sure about Fielden tho as he has done bugger all the last 2 years and is injury prone. I don't think it would be a value for money move. Players that age usually get one big injury a year. I agree that the props are pack on a whole are not big enough and is somewhere that needs improving. I can't remeber many occasions last year where from the kick off the pack got us over the 20/30 yard line, and thus putting pressure on the kickers

Against my better judgement I'd go for Fielden.

He's had a few seasons of doing very little, but he still has talent and coming to a Club like us, where the spotlight and pressure rarely appear, could be just the thing to get him back on track. It's a gamble which might just see him watching more games than playing. But if it paid off...

But why? what would you expect from him? People talk about needing an aggressive big prop, this Barlow fits the criteria. and doesn't have the decline and injury record of fielden. I never understand peoples infatuation with finding an old knarly prop. I would rather get a young, big lad with a bit of fire and hunger in his belly to succeed at SL.

Oh ye, because you know all the ins and outs about his contract...

I'm sure I've read Barlow turned us down to sign a new deal at Fax??