I'm not sure if Finch is a good signing to be honest. From what I have seen from him I have to say I'm not that impressed.

Bugger Finch.

rlhttp://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_league/s/1238652_ratchford_playing_for_his_salford_futurerl

Get him signed up.

If Riddell is to stay and we just need cover for Deacon & more competition for places then Stefan Ratchford would be a great option. He had a fantastic kicking game when we played Salford and he looked their best player against Warrington.

Worth taking a punt on IMO.

Defo worth a punt

21 year old who won't demand a massive wage and a wiganer to boot.
If him and sam clicked we could have any halfback problems sorted for the next 10 years.

and as you say his kicking game is very good.

Even if he just came in to fill the deacon role of 3rd choice backup halfback.
Young lad, potential to become a first teamer at a later date, but has enough super league experience to come in and do the job very well.

Exactly. If Riddell isn't leaving then we aren't looking for a new scrum half. We just need cover at the moment who will provide competition for places & do a good job when called upon. Stefan Ratchford is perfect. His kicking game was awesome against us and that is one area we have in the past struggled with.

Then of course there is the possibility that in a better side he improves considerably and becomes our next scrum half for the considerable future. He looked very classy against Warrington.

I like Ratchford as a player and also a lad really focused and hard working when it comes to his rugby. I would be happy for him to come in and take over the utility position currently being offered by Phelps with a view to future cementing his position in the team if he earns the chance.

The main problem is he is still under contract with the decision on his future out of his hands and if Salford decide to extend his contract for the further year there is not much he or any other club looking to sign him could do about it till 2012.

Whether Riddell stays or not he's ooc 2011.
Ratchford is 21 and will be around for years. Him and Sam at half back would be excellent. His kicking game is superb and if he improved under MM like everyone else at the club he could be quite brilliant.
He's on the outer at Salford.
If the club are looking for a "Wigan" based team then the town producing two good half backs as good as Sam T and Ratchford would really hammer home the point IL is trying to make and achieve.
Time for Mr Lenegan to look for his cheque book me thinks.

Good point jon, here's hoping that a little bit of cash from Wigan may just buy him a release, after all Salford need it with the new stadium just around the corner.

I like the idea of Ratchford even more when I think of his utility value he could offer us from the bench. Are chances of signing overseas players is unlikely due to the salary cap, then Ratchford would be a good choice.

Like people of already said he's young, he's a Wiganer and under the tutelage of Madge and Wane he can only go onto bigger and brighter things. Hear's hoping Lenegan and Madge already know he's available and are putting the wheels in motion to get him.

The only way I could see us signing Ratchford is if we decided that either Joe Mellor is not going to make it, or that one of Ratchford, Sam or Mellor is going to play outside of 6&7. I really couldn't see any other reason for us to sign a 21 year old.

I think it's a lot more likely we'll go for Finch on a 2 year deal while Mellor develops further.

Joe Mellor really is in danger of becoming the forgotten man here from the fans.

That is the point with Ratchford, I can see him doing a good job in the centre or at 1. He has utility value. Regards Mellor he is an exciting prospect but i am against holding spots for players open on the back of being a good prospect. I would be more than happy for Ratchford and Mellor to battle it out for the long term shirt.

How old is Joe Mellor? And would he be first team ready in the next 2/3 years?

Ratchford can come in and play the deacon role now, on not a huge wage. If Mellor progresses to his potential than great, 3 into 2 is good competition. But we can't expect Mellor to become a first team regular before he is ready.

About 19, he signed at the the same time as Stefan Marsh and Gareth Melling.

Exactly. It doesn't push Joe Mellor or Stuart Howarth out at all. Stefan Ratchford would originally be signed as a replacement for Paul Deacon. So his role is what Deacon's was and that is to provide cover for the halves and add competition for places. Now whether Stefan Ratchford then improves under the coaching of MaGuire and (ironically) Paul Deacon & stakes a claim as our next number seven then so be it. However Joe Mellor and Stuart Howarth are at a no greater disadvantage to Ratchford should he sign because Madge will give everyone a shot and all three will have the chance to prove themselves. You can pretty much guarantee that not all three will be good enough.