16 try's in 16 games iirc. I have no problem with Gibson being given a two year contract as a back up 3/4. Williams has been a great signing for us too.

Ideally this year I imagin the 3/4 line to be

Broughton
McGoldrick (I think he could go well at 13 if we signed another Centre)
Gleeson
Williams

with Gibson as back up.

Theo at 6 with Foran at 7. I am not sold on Snyed being a player who can take us to where Koukash wants us to be.

Does nobody else feel Gibson would go well at full back?

Gibson imo isn't an automatic first choice player and more a squad player. He may not get a starting place in other SL teams but some clubs maybe would take him as a cover player. I think it's unfair to comment on why players were offered contracts when we don't know what they were offered. Perhaps PV and Longy thought Gibson and Williams were good value for what they were being paid?

Furthermore the clubs circumstances have changed drastically since last year and knowbody could have foreseen this takeover by Dr Koukash.

Re Danny Williams. While he is strong and takes his scoring chances well, He just does not have pace and yes he does make quite a few mistakes in defence. But the big picture really starts next season

Early Bath, what makes you think Cipriani would put stacks on the attendance? Hasn't had that effect for Sale, so not sure why it would for us?

Talent Spotter - What makes you think he hasnt put numbers on? Lots of Sale fans (thousands I believe) apparently have given Barton a miss.

The point I am making is that there are many RU players who would pay for themselves with gate increases and maybe the Directors could make an appropriate deal for them if they did achieve increases.

Times have changed and we must look for better players and with the RU season near to the end there may be opportunities to give many RU players (esp Forwards) a trial. Little to lose judging on the size of our pack.

I wonder if Graham Lowe could use his persuasive powers to entice Sonny Bill Williams to have a trial with us?

It does actually state on Wikipedia that he's expected to return to Rugby League after the Japanese 2012-2013 season.

Now that would be a marquee signing. Anyone know when the Japanese Rugby Union season finishes?

EB most of RU's strike players who would adapt well to SL are Pacific Islanders and on better money than they could get with us even if we did go to the full cap ,
I cannot think of any RU player who would have a ' Watkins effect ' with us in todays game.
However to speculate draft in an Adrian Morley , a Gareth Hock or a Darren Lockyer, that would create press & raise more interest

That's just a minor technicality. Strange they haven't added him to their 2013 player profiles yet.

So thousands of Sale fans have swerved Barton despite the signing of 'crowd puller' Cipriani, only to be replaced by a couple of thousand members of the Cipriani fan club?

Taking a look at some union players could be worthwhile, but there are not many that would make a big difference to attendances.

I don't think any one player is going to be a long term crowd puller until we are competitive on a consistent basis. Even if we signed Billy Slater tomorrow we wouldnt get an increase in crowds long term. Yes there would be more people there for his debut and maybe a few games after that but if we a not competitive those people will fade away again - Billy Slater or not. Being competitive is what is going to pull long term fans in - games where we are always in with a shout - games that really get the nerves and emotions going - games that make you want to come back. I believe the real recruitment will begin next off season but really take effect in two years time.

If I’m being completely honest I haven’t had those nerves or felt any real adrenaline watching Salford since 2006 when we last made the playoffs. I can remember attending big games in the 70’s and 80’s at the Willows and I’d be literally shaking with the tension and the atmosphere. I can understand why others have drifted away and I really hope things can be turned around with some investment and that people get behind the club again in greater numbers.

I think for many people they are attracted to games against the big clubs if they believe the team has a great chance of winning rather than just hoping for an upset.

anyone think that the only standing section behind the sticks has discouraged some people coming to games?... does anyone feel that if they moved the standing section to the side of the pitch (like the shed) we will get the atmosphere back and draw more spectators in? - I know we dont own the ground but IF Koukash did who would like to see this?

Yes. We look and feel like outsiders behind the sticks. Let's get a plan to restore standing down the east stand. Even with a winng team it will be hard to generate a 'home' sound unless we do this.