Given what we know about Magoulias would rather have had him at 13. Guessing Hughes still in there he is staying as captain.

Prefer Philbs as an impact player and not a starting prop but he's possibly the best option out of the front rows we have in the squad

When looking at that squad what struck me was that after Ashton at 5, these are the only other outside backs in the squad - 21 Greg Minikin, 22 Josh Thewlis, 23 Connor Wrench.

Ashton and King both have a history of picking up injuries and Minikin is out for a while so I think we look a little light in that area although Currie and possibly Hughes can play at centre if needed.

Looks like Keanan Brand has gone somewhere else too, no mention of where though.

I think Brand was one of those signings that are a sign of the past. He got a chance at Widnes because they were forced to use their own academy products as they couldn't afford to sign and pay for established players. He stood out a little in an otherwise poor Widnes team. He's probably a solid super league player for a lower-half-of the-table club, but he's not shown himself so far to be any better than what [iwe[/i have coming through. The difference was that at the time we weren't blooding our own academy players, and if we did they wouldn't have stood out against the likes of Gelling etc. Now we are seeing the likes of Thewlis and Wrench, I'm quite happy we are producing our own academy products that are up to the standard of the ones other clubs have handed down to us. In fact it's arguable that the current crop of youngsters are as good as any being produced by the usual suspects of Leeds, Wigan and Saints, as shown by the recent call-ups.

If we aren't going to booster the squad with established backs, I'd rather us blood our own academy players for a few weeks instead of utilise Brand. He'd be better off with a regular first team spot at Leigh or Wakefield anyway.

I agree, don’t mind a “steady” prop to start. But a little cannonball should be off the bench for 10-15 minutes of chaos in each half. Mulhearn to start for me

Shouldn't a supposed international prop, like Philbin, be looking to further himself into something more than impact player at this stage of his career?

I'd also reckon that Powell will be the type of coach looking to progress Philbin into a more senior pack role and get more of a use from him than brief 10 minute cameos. Certainly, if Philbin wants to be a top player, he will need to start contributing more than what he did for most of last season, where he was a little underwhelming.

Nothing wrong with being the best at your role. Props rotate, you need to work out your strengths and be the best at that bit. He is a bowling ball, and that can change momentum.

I agree Brand didn’t look great in the limited time he had with us. Also agree that Thewlis and Wrench are really exciting prospects. The issue for me is that we have very thin cover for outside backs in the squad. Let’s hope Ashton and King stay injury free next season

Definitely. However, I'm struggling to recall the last time he made much of an impact, either when starting or coming off the bench.

2019 I think.

2022 is a big year for him, I hope he doesn't turn in to one of those players who only picks up form when his contract renewal is coming around (given he is contracted till the end of 2024!) Same comment for Toby King, 2 players who now need to be stepping up to be senior players, delivering week in week out. Both looked great up until they signed new terms, and fell away after doing so.

Quote: The Speculator "Definitely. However, I'm struggling to recall the last time he made much of an impact, either when starting or coming off the bench.'" I wonder if https://gripzofficial.com/ (his clothing business) is distracting him?

Quote: The Speculator "Definitely. However, I'm struggling to recall the last time he made much of an impact, either when starting or coming off the bench.'" I wonder if https://gripzofficial.com/ (his clothing business) is distracting him?

See now people said this about King, but he got injured, widdop got injured, lineham got suspended (probably) that whole side got changed around.

Also, after he came back, how many bombs did we kick for him, which he'd been lapping up for fun at the start of the year.

First part of the season, it got slightly monotonous that was our one mode of attack, he came back into the side, we didn't do it.

Jebus, we didn't even try a hit n hope against kr in the play offs when we were desperate

FMC. players aren’t human, they shouldn’t have off days, loss of form. Some people even seem to think it is their fault when they get injured, what else does the phrase “injury prone” hint at.

Widdop was back by mid August though I think, from then on in he had Widdop, Currie and Thewlis who was playing well enough to keep Lineham out of the side anyway. His next step is to challenge for a centre spot in the national side, to do that he needs to find a consistency in his performance and certainly offer more of a threat than a high ball.

That decline in form may well have been injury related, but he’s just been given a nice new contract, he needs to be a consistent threat for us, with a left edge of Widdop, Currie & Ashton there should be plenty of opportunity with Powell improving things.