I don't think anyone doubts their ability or experience and I am personally keen to see how they both go for us. It's frustrating we start the season with a paper thin squad, in the apparent hope of signing players down the line.

On late season signings, how did our Australian recruit from Elite 1 go for us again last season? I think we have the right to reserve our judgement on the clubs decision making when it comes to these kind of signings.

We appear to have signed Norman, that's great, where does he slot into the squad? Who makes way? The promising youngster we've developed through our own system or the world cup international? We will never know about player availability, but there are other areas of the squad that I would argue need addressing first.

Just like every other fan of the club I would love to have seen deep pocket recruitment we didn't have it. I doubt Mr Hughes has the money.
But if our promising youngsters are not winning games we have a choice, accept that or recruit

I agree with all of this.
If our plan is we can only sign Antipodeans and they won’t be ready in time for the start of the season because of Visa delays and their waiting until they know there is no NRL interest and Antipodeans at a loose end after the end of the French season and seeing the merits in a few months in one of the greatest cities in the world as part of their European sojourn, then we have to accept the consequences of that because the season starts when it starts and it looks like we’ll always be undercooked for the first half(ish) part of the season.
As an aside the three who came for the start of the season have been excellent and I’ve no major reason to doubt that the two coming in will be good as both have played at a very high level in the past.

Some interesting comments from Eccles before the TO game regarding recruitment. It seems they've missed out on a few but still looking to build. It could be a clever strategy if they get on with it and get momentum (Firstly getting into the play offs) as they reach the critical part of the season. Leeds have done it on numerous occasions and got to the GF.

Play Offs? I'm still anxious about the other end of the table where we will probably end up

It’s a pretty tight league except for Fev. It’s not immediately obvious who is going to be relegated and look at Batley in 3rd. They have a minus points difference and have lost a third of their games. With TO being short on players, second place is up for grabs. Sadly it is unlikely to be us but we could sneak into the playoffs. More likely 8/9th place with a view to pushing on next year. Makes pretty uninspiring reading but it is what it is. Fly in the ointment for onward development is that all players are off contract and are we or aren’t we moving grounds again. Then there is the (non?) engagement with local area conundrum and sponsors/corporate void. I’m confident we’re good enough to stay up and it’s an improved season for sure so that will have to suffice. It would be nice to get a few more home wins and a trip to Wembley in the 1895 would be a real bonus.

I get the feeling Hughes is waiting to see what IMG are going to do

Corey Norman joins us from France. 32yr old SoO player who can play in the halves or full back......depending who much of the Grench Good life he's had I reckon that's our best bit of business in a while

Club finally confirm the Norman signing but he won't be available until end of June (i.e. 5 months after the season started) due to suspension.

FFS https://twitter.com/TOXIII/status/16641 ... 0jXVA&s=19

FFS https://twitter.com/TOXIII/status/16641 ... 0jXVA&s=19

Wigan's announcement suggests the full time environment is a factor. Can't blame them for wanting to maximise his development.

Surely Wigan would have considered that before sending him on loan here in the first place. Do we have a DR with them or just loan the occasional player who might want a night out in London before heading on loan elsewhere?

Loans should always be full season & no call back.

If he’s not going to get a game at Wigan then they’ll want him to develop elsewhere and a loan to a FT side would take his salary off their wage bill as opposed to a DR to a PT time which may not. From his perspective he’ll want to stay FT so that’s probably what’s going on here. More broadly I’m not wedded to year long loans but 2/3 week Dr/loan whatever’s smell of panic and poor recruitment as per last year although the Sam Hall loan worked well. The DR arrangement with Wigan may bear fruit in time. As is,it’s very curious. One minute a player plays for us for a couple of weeks, then for a competitor. Not really sure it’s a sign of a strong league.

Wowzer! You've signed the Rolf Harris of the RL world!

Will the 1895 Cup Final now be played over three legs?