Playing exceptionally well at the moment and would definatley be a keeper and would pad out a quality SL squad.

By some people's reckoning, it would seem that Leigh have built a squad that's [itoo[/i [igood[/i for the Championship but [inot good enough[/i to stay up in Super League...

Quite close to my 'dream team' that post.

Exceptions though.
3 Wingers & 1 Centre ? Surely not ?

Ridyard stays but with an NRL/SL player to make both work for a place/cover.

Goulden ? - Now don't get me wrong here, I have nothing but admiration for the way he has given his all to the Club/Team, always at 200% in terms of effort & he seems to do it all quietly with minimum fuss. SL though I think might be a step to far, possibly.

Chris Hill returns.

You spotted the deliberate mistake

Chris Hill yes please he would fit the bill nicely

My rational behind Riddy/ additional half back is that I don't believe we could go up a division with all three pivots having no top flight expierience either in UK or ESL.

I just couldn't bring myself to leave Tommy out but agree SL is maybe a step to far at this stage of his career. Time will tell on that one he's never been in as good a nick though and still tops the tackle count most weeks and leads by example.

I remember him working for us a few years ago now when he was at Rochdale and asking could he finish early on a Friday afternoon. He had been up and down a scaffold all day banging light fittings in industrial units. Wrapped his tools up then went straight to St Helens and played against likes of Apollo Perelini etc and held his own and topped the tackle count.

I understand what your saying,I just keep reading people saying we require 6/7 good players bringing in, to compete.When realistically those numbers need doubling,if your to compete for top 8 in SL.

Everyones team sheet is based on players not getting injured,which won't be the case..So you need another 6/7 to be in place for the injuries..Thats what it would take to compete for top 8 in SL.

Being realistic from a championship sides point of view you could never draft that many potential SL players in,in such a small space of time.So you have to build accordinally,but still keeping the same mentallity as if Fui is injured he's replaced by Hock,if Liam is injured he's replaced by Des Drummond.

Thats living in an ideal world,so for the time being we should be looking to were to strengthen position wise but still keeping the same free flowing rugby but making sure we have an equal player to replace should injuries occur.

Without a doubt.

I would like to know where these so-called better players are coming from.

It's very easy to say "SL/NRL whatever" but who is available who would be willing to come.

Don't know much about the Australian scene, but as far as SL is concerned it seems to me we'd be picking from existing SL cast-offs or from the team that's relegated. Favourites seem to be Wakey, but who of their players would we want?

Off the top of my head the only lower end SL player I'd be interested in is Aaron Heremaia.

Well Fui was willing to come from a NRL team and Hock has just signed from a SL team despite us playing in Championship and in a Part Time competition so a Leigh team in SL would be able to top up this current squad with 4/5 maybe 6 top class players quite easily IMO.

I know discussions will be taking place and targets already identified and knowing Derek he will be aiming high and not at some of the journeymen type signings we made in 2005.

The key thing for me as I stated above is continuity so order of the day must be quality and not quantity if we are to make the next steps.

If it were down to me id be making enquiries now for Lee Gaskell and also someone like Kevin Brown from Widnes. If Bradford don't get up Gaskell will leave IMO and Brown is related to Hock so will know what's going on at Leigh.

In relation to Wakefield I know Matty Ashurst the back rower is highly rated by our coaching staff and Derek and he very nearly signed for us last year. I personally rate Craig Hall who can cover Centre/ Wing and even fullback. Not to Mention former NRL Half Backs Jacob Miller & Tim Smith. Plenty top quality players at Wakey lets not forget Liam Kay was a Wakey cast off, hes not that bad is he

Few people saying they think we're good enough to get up but not stay up, whole point of The Qualifier Super 8 is that if you're good enough to get up you're good enough to stay up. If we get up would mean going backwards in relation to the other Championship teams to go back down again.

Fair comment Andy, you're obviously better informed than me (not difficult!)

As far as SL is concerned you generally know what you're getting but the overseas lot can be risky. Too many IMO come for a holiday - look at Roy Asotasi who's done nowt for Warry in a season and a bit and Willie Tonga who's already looking like a mistake for Les Cats.

We've been dead lucky with FuMo (either that or Mr Beaumont really does know what he's doing )

Good point about our 2005 signings also - the vast majority were woeful.

I don't think that my opening post looks too far off this morning.

Two players who quickly spring to mind who are off contract next year are Manu Vatavia from the NZ Warriors and Paul Gallen from the Sharks.Manu,s still a beast when anywhere near that try line,and he still has pace.Paul Gallen,well he has cult status with the Sharks and he can play 80mins if needed,and he,s fearsome.