Coote has played 3 games less than Ratchford as well. He hinders our attack and it was as clear as day on Friday.

Well he's got his hands on the ball a lot this season and as I've just highlighted he's done VERY little with it. That is in a team scoring lots of tries at the top end of the table. Praying Powell strips Hughes of the captaincy and him and Ratchford of starting roles. It'll make a huge difference.

I don’t think Powell will get along with Charnley. I think if a reasonable bid comes in he could make way. Minikin is the obvious choice for that spot, should my suspicions be right.

Ashton getting a new deal signifies that Powell has a plan for him, Thewlis for me has been more consistent than Ashton this season and is heir apparent to Fullback in my mind, so maybe Ashton has first dibs on the left wing.

Is there scope for Brand to come in? I’ve not seen much of Leigh but appeared to finish the season as fullback. Minikin won’t make the start of the season so there is a vacant spot somewhere.

That leaves Ratchford and Thewlis in a battle for fullback, which is a case of when not if Ratchford is displaced. No room for sentiment, Ratch has been great for us, but these calls need making at the right time, not when it’s too late.

The forwards pick themselves really. There’s not a lot and not especially high quality. But you pick Cooper, then pad around him with Mulhearn, Butler, Doro, Clark, Hughes and Harrison once fit. Likely that Currie and Holmes will be second rows with Dobson and Longstaff for cover.

Longstaff for cover? Be the first name on the teamsheet for me. He knocks Hughes and J Clark into a cocked hat.

I do think Ratchfords contributions have been underestimated at times, and I've been a vocal defender of his, but I do think now is the time to start ushering him towards the sidelines. I'd always find a place on the bench for him but it's time to.move on.

Thewlis, Ashton, Wrench, Doro and Longstaff need big close seasons and if they buy into the new regime then 2022 can be the start of long careers in the starting 17 for all of them.

Walker is another player who has improved hugely and I expect him to flourish under Powell, in the way McShane has.

Absolutely spot on. Ratchford cost any possibility of getting back into that game, as we then panicked and went away from what we did to dominate the opening 15 minutes. Time to move on with Thewlis (not Ashton!) at FB. Hope Powell isn't a square peg in a round hole type of coach. Agree with other posters comments regarding Hughes and J Clark, we need players who offer more with ball in hand, as well as being able to defend.

One thing that I want Powell to do, is to re-ignite Daryl Clark, who has been extremely disappointing this season.

I agree on the Longstaff front, I’ve been calling for him to start for about 6 weeks now. But Holmes is Powell’s man, he’s not coming here to be on the bench. And Currie is our best second row by a considerable distance. Unless Powell see’s Longstaff as a middle player, he will be in reserve (which may be needed early in the season should Holmes not be fit on arrival)

I've always thought Currie would make a very good loose. Back three of Longstaff, Holmes and Currie would be pretty tasty.

This hits the nail on the head and sums up why I get frustrated when every season we have loads of posts on here blowing smoke up the booties of our senior players. Good players yes (good rather than great), leaders/winners no. You can have a winning side if you have some of these types of players around a core of Peacock, Sinfield, Burrow, JJB but if they are your core you have a problem.

There is literally nobody in our squad who really stands out as a leader, and it has been like this for about 6 years now. It was a problem throughout all the Price era.

That's my favourite back row combination at the club for 2022. Pace, aggression and also good hands from Currie.