Quote: markrammond "I am sorry but I cannot accept that Rob Powell was uninvolved in the selection of either the 2006-2010 squad or the 2011 signings, he has been here six years and was an adviser and indeed the most senior coach after McDermott left before becoming Head Coach.
Olly and Andy Ellis were ok to sign, Olly wanted two years, Andy did not want to go either, they weren't waiting on Wakefield on the off-chance of a licence, that I can assure you - that would be ludicrous.
I'm told by a source connected to one of the players that Rinaldi, Korkidas and Colbon are coming.
I'm told Matt Cook is the second rower - he can't get past last year's two dream team second rowers, whom are contracted at Hull KR so there is no shame in that. The other player is an Australian, not sure who this is but I would take a punt on Chris Armit.
Cheers
Mark
ps I'm not sure where are the promised marquee signings - Gower might be plausible at a push, Witt is also in his prime, but I would be expecting at minimum two current State of Origin players / England internationals to claim that.
pps I have it on good authority that Dorn, Randall, Gale, Bailey, Howell, Pryce and Purdham are on six figure salaries (£100-£125k) and many other players are within £20k of this e.g. Ward, Temata etc. My understanding is that we spend approx £1.35m. That would make sense when you see how thin the squad is, silly contracts taking close to half the cap. We apparently are within £250k of the cap but you can judge for yourself the value derived.'"
Mark , your posts are usually very good but in reply to this one , three months ago i was told that Purdham had bought a house in Cumbria and was leaving at the end of the season .At the same time i was told Gale, Wilkes and Ellis were all looking to leave for clubs up north. How can you say Ellis wanted to stay when he had a decent contract offer on the table for five weeks but refused it . I agree it wasnt wakefield he was waiting for to come in for him but thats who he has ended up with . One last thing i can assure you is that your good authority on the players salaries is so far out you should sack him ...