I always thought King was a bit overrated. He played well for a stretch but when he was in contract negotiations a year or so back people on here were talking like he was one of the best centres in SL and saying it would be a disaster if we didn't pay him. I never saw that in him and since then he's gone backwards.

He's a modern day version of Jon Roper. Career trajectory looking promising for a while and then plateaued too early.

Not sure I agree with that, it could be an ideal opportunity for us to fill a hole, if only temporarily, whilst our rebuilding plans continue. King has been very poor pretty much since he signed his new contract so a move for him might suite him as well as us. Only time will tell I guess.

It's hardly been overnight though. It's around 7 years of mediocre performance under 3 coaches.

Equally, good coaches shouldn't go bad overnight.

Spot on. We have been querying the underachievement for years and now (hopefully) we are doing something about it.

Doesn't mean he's 100% gone, this could literally just be the kick up the ass he needs. Chance to learn from a new coach and other players before he comes back to us. If Wardles off to Wigan as reported it could just be exactly that, a short loan, if not we need to sign a new centre.

King gone (maybe permanently).... Shrugs shoulders, like Alan Partridge. He's been no better than 6/10, since his new contract. Maybe a Martin Gleesonlike moment. Powell would've authorised King's extension, so he's lost a "bit of face".

What frightens me is, is Powell trying to do too much, too soon? These are seismic changes to a squad. Hill gone, now Charnley and King, with Cooper soon to follow, along with loans of youth players here, there and everywhere. Reluctance to drop Williams (who's been bang average at best), Matautia (who's another 6/10 for me) and the turgid Holmes. Add to this, the square pegs in round holes, people are suggesting, Powell's testicles really are on the bacon slicer.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Strap yourselves in. This could be genius, or an unmitigated disaster

Yep ... it frightens me too. We wanted change but change does not always mean better. Some of our new boys will bring in their own problems & faults that we don't know about yet. Leeds, Hull & Huddersfield have tended to make lots of changes over the years & it has not always worked. Very interesting/worrying times.

Assuming the Dufty rumours are true, the expected team for next year only has 4 players that haven’t been signed/extended by Powell. So there needs to be a significant upturn in results or the excuses will run out fast.

Dufty
Thewlis Matautia Wrench Ashton
Ratchford Williams
Vaughan Clark * Dudson
Currie * Holmes
Harrison

Walker * Kasiano Mikaele Philbin *

We presumably are buying a few more as we need a squad of 25 or so.

Thewlis
Minikin/Wrench
Currie/Wrench/Ratchford.
Matautia
Ashton
Dufty (Rumoured)/Ratchford/Dean
Williams
Vaughan
Clarke
Dudson
Holmes ( moved to different side)/ Hughes
McGuire (Rumoured)/Currie/Longstaff
Harrison.

Walker
Kasiano
Mikados
Phil in

I’m not sure Dufty will be signing after all. It seems to have gone quiet on that front. If he does, I’ll bet it will be at half back with Thewlis at full back, as I’m sure Powell recognises that Thewlis is part of the long-term 1-6-7 spine along with Williams.

If we don’t sign Dufty or another half, I can see Mata’utia in there. Not that I like it, but I think Powell is happy with it. Guess we’ll see.

With just one team being relegated, and Toulouse being in the league, I think it is the right approach.

Turns a 3/4 year rebuild into a painful one-year revolution.

With Matautia in the halves, I don`t see where Ratchford fits, other than as substitute and that surely means Walker misses out?

Heard that we have given Ratchford a new contract, so he must figure in Powell`s plans.

You could be right, as I think Ratchford has the positive mindset that Powell talks about. I’m not sure what role he’ll play. I like Walker too much to leave him out, and he seems like just the sort of character that Powell wants. He’ll make a very vocal on-field captain/leader if and when he becomes the starting 9. No doubt Powell is working with him on his weaknesses now.

I think Ratchford is like Shenton was at Cas. Solid professional.