That’s really bad news about Norman.
Probably could have coped with Whare leaving but Norman also going leaves a massive quality deficit in the squad.

In fairness I would have thought top 5 Championship team. Cant argue with the rest though. Very, very strange.

The only sane conclusion I can come up with to explain the current insanity is given that we know we will be excluded from SL in 25. So are taking the Sky/SL money & spending aslittle as possible this year with a view to mitigating Hughes' input financially & having some for a Championship side next year.

Trouble is, in SL years gone by, we have spent to the cap or claimed to have & have had a very average team. Wouldn't trust Hughes or Lobster to spend the money well.

I see where you’re coming from here DC but the problem is they are all on a 1 which means they could all fly off at the end of the season leaving us without a well oiled Championship team in 2025. If they were in 2s that would make sense although even if we won the league we wouldn’t get promoted but it might be exciting. Really not sure what we are up to.

News breaking we have signed Fullback Josh Rourke from Batley. Well thought of player which is a definite plus.

Help me out here though. If Boafo or Macani take a spill who is covering the wing spot? Who has replaced Norman and Whare?

That's an odd one. He'd only just signed for Batley. He's a kicker which is a bonus.

That is a definite bonus. But then so was Coates.

Looks a decent talent, maybe we have signed him to play centre? If the Lawton signing happens, then maybe we'll see Ethan make the switch back to centre?

It Makes no difference what the plan is. Hughes killed us between 2009-2013 and has been paying guilt money ever since. We could rip up SL in 2024 and we'd still be a championship side in '25 and we will be back to a few hundred fans with the same or worse IMG grading.

So the Reserves are moving to RP alongside the first team. Feels like a reasonably positive step following the Academy announcement. Sounds like we have been able to keep hold of a majority of last seasons Academy team too, although I assume by that the club means the older age group players.

Beginning to look like rumours about Maloudi are true. The pluses are he’s a real X factor player and appears to be a popular guy. The downside is he is inconsistent and it’s suggested has put on a couple of pounds. Could be a good buy for us but another who hasn’t been plying their trade in the SL recently. We really are taking a high risk approach to SL success. All will be revealed in the opening games of the season whether it’s a good or bad risk.

Maloudi has signed, joining us subject to gaining a visa.

While agree with the concern particularly as its SL rather than Chump league, Whare and Norman were both in French leagues so possible to readapt. And can see Eccles giving him a very clear diet and exercise plan to get him match fit. But yes a risk.