Tony Smith interview on Warrington Worldwide - right at the end TS is asked what links Wire have with Bradford players and he clearly says that there is nothing on the horizon, so no John Bateman at the HJ. I for one say YEAH!!!! Don't want him at Warrington as we've a wealth of home produced second rowers that are going to be the beating of all put before them in the very near future.

Hasn't Smith said in previous interviews that he wouldn't like to take advantage of their situation, but help them?

I think with Bradford's current situation, the club are probably leaving them to get on with it, but if they really want Bateman, which I think they do, then they will at least make a valiant effort to sign him towards the end of the season.

I have seen the same interview & my take is different to yours. I think TS was being non committal. There was no way he was going to reveal any new signing during a regular interview. Any signings we make will be made by the club in an official press release, sanctioned & cleared with the selling club.

I have no idea whether Bateman is coming to the Wire and the interview didn't give any clues either way.

Another point worth noting is the fact that the current contracts of senior players such as Moz and Solo have not been agreed. In part this will be so that their form can be viewed at the back of the season, but possibly also because it depends on any new signings ( to ensure we fit under the salary cap). If Moz was three years younger and his contract was up, I think he would have been re-signed by now so that we didn't lose him.

So I also think it is premature to write of new signings

I would be more interested in getting our young lads resigned .. Mike Cooper , Gaz O'Brien etc before looking to other clubs youngsters. These are tried and tested in the squad an day well be seen as prize assets for the lower end teams..
Much as I have loved watching Moz play in primrose and blue I do think he is coming to the natural end of his career at the top.
Keep hold of our current young lads.... I am sure that the likes of Widnes or Salford etc would love to swoop in take them of us if we not careful. In particular Coops isn't Cullen his uncle?

I would agree about Moz, fantastic player in his day, but I would have thought this ought to be his last year. However, clearly TS doesn't think so; " I would like to keep all my senior players".

I would not be overly worried at this point in the season about most of our younger players though. Certainly Coops will be fairly well paid, and whilst Widnes could offer him more he would be foregoing the chance of silverware. Warrington is now a top club and all players want to play in a grand final or a CC final. That is the reason Ratchford joined last year, even though he knew he was not guaranteed a 1st team place.
For the 'U20's', it may well be more of a temptation to sign for the likes of Widnes. They are not on a great deal of money, they are not playing regular 1st team football, and they are young - they could be anywhere in 2 yrs time. So you may have a point in regards to the likes of Laithwaite

I think its good that Tony Smith has come and put this one to bed. It reminds me of when Paul Cullen reacted to all the stupid speculation that we were chasing Adrian MorleyThe claims made are utter rubbish and absolute fabrication at all conceivable levels," said Cullen. "We will not allow our supporters and sponsors to be misled in this manner." '" menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... _talk.html

I think its good that Tony Smith has come and put this one to bed. It reminds me of when Paul Cullen reacted to all the stupid speculation that we were chasing Adrian MorleyThe claims made are utter rubbish and absolute fabrication at all conceivable levels," said Cullen. "We will not allow our supporters and sponsors to be misled in this manner." '" menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... _talk.html

Smith probably hasn't been told about it. Bradford have stated they've got a 6 figure offer in writing from Simon Moran, so unless he's buying players for another RL club, I'd say it's pretty nailed on.

Any delay will just be Moran delaying the completion of the move to see if the Bulls are liquidated. If they are he'll snap him up for free.

In late 2010 Smith said we would not be signing any more players for Super League XVI. Days later we signed Joel Monaghan.