Gasnier's deal was reported in the Press as one million dollars (Aus) per year. I appreciate the ridiculous speculation in the Press is usually way off the mark, but, the cash being thrown about in French RU is mind blowing. Just take a look at the players heading over there in their dozens, be it RL or RU players.

I can't see how we could remotely compete with them.

Effort commitment and drive to play for the Wire. Which in my eyes makes him a better player than Gleeson.

Scrum Half - Orford / Myler
Stand Off - Craig Wing or similar
Prop - Fielden? (Will get shot down here but still think he has something)
Right Centre - Shenton (I know - he's currently playing left)
Loose Forward - Sinfield (If rumours are true)

In that order

Full back - we are fine here with Mathers. Hopefully he will continue to prove the doubters wrong. Riley and Hicks can provide backup.

Wing - An embarrasment of riches in this position, with Hicks, King (his best position), Riley plus Penny and Williams from the reserves.

Centre - I would give Bridge a new contract and play him at right centre, and sign a specialist left centre, ideally Michael Shenton. Grix should also get a new deal and along with King provide cover for this position.

Halves - If Briers and Monaghan leave we need two new halves. Myler / Orford for the SH, but a new stand off is a more difficult one. Ideally Briers will stay another year or two and play alongside our new scrum half. Have to wait and see what happens with Monas as he is contracted until 2011.

Hooker - Higham isn't bad as an impact hooker, but would prefer a different starting number 9 to Clarke. As he is tied up until 2011 though, I can't see any changes in this area at the end of the season.

Props - With Rauhihi set to leave, I reckon one more prop as a direct replacement, possibly from overseas. Pickersgill should go, and we should retain Mike Cooper as he is the better prospect.

Second Row - Honestly don't feel we need anyone in this position, with Mitchell, Blythe, Harrison, McCarthy to support the first choice pairing of Westwood and Louis Anderson. Paul Johnson should not be given another contract.

Loose Forward - A definate priority. I reckon Vinnie Anderson might go, and Harrison is more suited to the second row. Sinfield would be ideal, either that or a big offer should be tabled for Joe Westerman.

How is this ideal

Briers isn't fit to lace the boots of many Half-back's going round today, there are quality halves all around and if we want to progress we need one of them.

That might well be true LWF but yet again, we would not have won without him on Saturday night.

Can't say I'm a huge fan of Briers but I do feel sorry for him.

When he plays well so do Warrington and when he has a bad game the team generally do too. Unfortunately he's rarely had a half pack partner to help him.

With the exception of Johns for a couple of games, the last decent scrum half he played with was Alan Langer. Since then he's had Nat Wood, who for all his qualities could not boss a team around a field, the Micheal Sullivan fiasco and now Monaghan.

We've never really had a quality Loose Forward either (in the style of Sinfield or Farrell) who can help out with the plays.

Prop - I wouldn't offer Rah a new deal unless there is no-one available on similar or lower money to be honest. If Rah takes a pay cut, and it allows us to bring in better player in another position then so be it. He has been solid and dependable as usual this year.

Centre - Personally, I'm quite happy with Bridge at RC if he continues to play well, he can offer us just as much in attack as Gleeson did. Hopefully him and Hicks can get their combo going again this year at some point. Left centre, I'd like a new one, unless King plays well in the second half of the season with Riley playing left wing. If not, then stick King on the left wing and purchase a good left centre (Shenton please).

Halves - Dunno what to make of Monaghan, at time he is playing really well and looks alot more confortable under Smith. However, he has had alot of skinkers in there as well. I'd like Myler instead but it depends on money and if Monaghan wants to stay or go....
Briers, alongside Myler next year would be ideal for me. (Myler please).

Loose Forward - Happy with Harrison there at the moment, although we could do with someone more experienced, with better hands and with good organisation, something we haven't had at 13 in like...ageees. (Sinfield please).

Johnson/Vanderson - To be honest both players are similar as they are coming towards the end of their careers and both have struggled with injuries throughout their time at the club. However, they provide great utility to the squad and provide good experience in a professional manner. Personally if both went I'd be happy, if one stayed and the other went I'd be happy, if both of them stayed I'd be a tad disappointed.

Ideal Squad next year would be:

Mathers
Hicks
Bridge
Shenton
King
Briers
Myler
Moz
Clarke
Carvell
Westwood
Harrison
Sinfield

Bench:
Higham, Wood, Rah/New prop, Grix/Landerson.

That would be nice.

Not too sure about your MM comment.The reason we lost in Edinburgh was poor defence. I dont think Lee Briers in the defensive line would have improved things.

Ideal Squad next year would be:

Mathers
Hicks
Bridge
Clubb
King
Long
Myler
Moz
Monaghan
Carvell
Westwood
Harrison
Sinfield

Bench:
Higham, Wood, Scarsbrook, Grix/Landerson

This is one possibility gone for the loose forward spot.
rlhttps://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_5333604,00.htmlrl

He would have brought a better kicking game though. We had several chances to put in decent kicks - like he did against Hull - but we blew them. Also, the game was there for the taking when we were 16-6 up, but blew it with several daft errors. I just felt with Briers, we would have taken control of that game.

Where does this obsession with Michael Shenton come from? With no promotion or relegation why on earth would Castleford let him go? Their gates are solid and their financial plan will still be on track as their new stadium plans are for some years down the line. This is the difference between Shenton and Myler, as, in the latter case, Salford must be hurting for cash with their tiny crowds and big delay to their new ground.