Agreed Crash, let's hope for an upgrade at halfback & kicker.

If we want top 6 we need to add 2 experienced half backs, 2 centres (sorry Dalton), and more depth in pack.

The big advantage of the apparent signings to date is that recruitment can focus on quality over quantity. I get the impression last season it was a desperation to get enough numbers in and the hit rate on Championship level players wasn't great.

I guess Australia may be the source of a couple of key players, but the combination of part-time and London may be an issue (London probably a selling point to an Australian of course).

There is no returning player I'm unhappy to see back. Not all should be in the match day first choice 17 though.

From what I can tell, Will Blakemore was released from his two year contract after the Workington defeat.

Very reasonable summary of the needs. Re Dalton. As an aside what a nice, articulate guy he is. I wasn't aware until reading the press release that he is also a winger. So as a back-up to the centre and wing spots that's useful. He was obviously injured early season but after a slow (understandable) start has done a solid job and I'm not adverse to him covering for injured first choice players. Centre was probably the weakest part of the team last year, I wan't at all impressed with Ferreira. Thought Dalton was the better of those two.

Blakemore wasn’t the worst player but not sure what next steps were for him. I think he’s at Chinnor RU club (is that right?) so that’s probably a decent move to home - perhaps nearer home as well. Good luck to him.

Yes he does seem to be a likeable guy. I didn’t think much of his early form but if he was carrying a knock that may explain it. Also, let’s be fair, we were all over the shop. Players played out of position etc. Agreed it would be good to have real competition in his position.

...and those sports offer full time contracts, DC1. This Northern Monkey only endured black bogeys for a few months at a time if he was getting a good rub from it.

Would remind you Bongser we offered full time contracts up until this season & still no northerners show Rob Purdham's commitment to London or anything like it.

There are quite a few northerners playing p/t non league football & Union in & around South East so my point still stands.

I imagine Purdham was on a much better contract than anything we've offered in recent years.

No doubt you are right Buzz & while that no doubt plays a large part, players still have to have the strength of character to step out of their comfort zone. That's where they seem to be lacking, unlike Aussies & Kiwis that travelling & working is almost a Rite of Passage.

How many players have we signed that didn't fulfill their contracts for all sorts of reasons over the last 10 years or infact signed & left before wearing the shirt in battle?

As someone who came down to London in my teens and have stayed since I don't really see what these players problem is. However, it's happened enough times that you could wonder whether the club doesn't always deliver on their side of the bargain.

I grew up in Dublin in the late 70's with an English accent........some of these so called "hard" Rugby League players are nowt more than entitled wimps!