now Myler would be an excellent option, we all know hes better than TomPkins

Weve got it covered no need for panic, if we sign matty smith which it looks like we have then the easiest way to re-organise would be to put Sam back in at the half backs just like we did with shaun edwards and give Matty Russell the full back role, hes proving himself at this level for hull maybe needs to touch up on his defence but going forward he could be another billy slater, problems solved! All we need then is for Matty Smith to step up to the plate! SIMPLES!



Weve certainly got enough strenght and depth in the forwards coming through weve got 3 big young lads in Crosby, Burke and Spencer. With Burke being able to play at loose or second row so we have all areas covered

Russell is nowhere near good enough to replace Sam at fullback. He's not proving himself at all, he's simply showing that he's got potential. He's a long, long way off being good enough to be first choice fullback. He can't deal with high kicks and his positioning is off defensively while his attacking game needs work, mainly his passing and his ability to join the attacking line.

Besides, Shaun Wane has already stated that Tomkins is staying at fullback.

I think it will be hard to get any top class Aussie because of the exchange rate,so probably we are better sticking to English based players.

This is why we need a 'fans forum' at the club to clear up some of these issues as i have stated on another thread. IL can re-assure some of the fans on our recruitment for next season and any other business happening. We havent had one for ages and they were well attended previously. Im pretty sure supporters would like to know who will be pulling a shirt on next season. In light of our incresed season ticket sales i would think the club would like to keep it on an upwards curve next season and recruitment is very much a part of that process.

But it's rare, if at all, that any concrete news is released at the fans forums. All we get is generalities and spin. He's not going to come out and say we're after <insert player name> until it's all finalised, and a press release works fine for those announcements.

He has also said the replacement half back is already at the club which must mean one of the junior players if he says Sam is staying at 1. If so I don't see how they can be considered good enough to be a first choice half back in exactly the same way Russell can't be considered ready to play at full back for the first team. In fact given he has been on loan and got some SL experience he is further down the line in acquiring the necessary experience to play 1st team footy than any of the junior half backs.

If Russell isn't ready neither are any of the home-grown half backs and with M Smith and a junior player at 6 and 7 the drop in quality and experience from Finch and Tommy is going to be huge.

If Wane doesn't want to plug that glaring gap with Sam that is up to him but unless we do sign someone we are going to have a problem at half back next season at some point. Junior players can be sensational for a while but soon get worked out by the opposition unless they are freakishly good like Sam.

Just because a player hasn't had first team experience doesn't mean they aren't good enough, it just means they don't have experience. You seem to be getting ability and experience mixed up and assuming that anyone who plays first team must be better than anyone who hasn't.

Russell has massive flaws in his game that so far haven't been ironed out and that would almost certainly make him unsuitable to be first choice fullback.

I don't disagree about concerns over which player from within the club will step up as playing someone who doesn't have first team experience is a big risk. That might mean having faith in Joe Mellor, who doesn't completely convince me, or Sam Powell. I think Powell is more likely to be successful but he's still out injured and that means if he is expected to play a part for the first team next year it will be better for him to get some experience this year, either on loan or with the first team.

Russell's first team experience makes him one of many possible options, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's the best option or the most likely option, as seems to be the case with Wane saying Tomkins will stay at fullback.

logan tomkins he is going well at widnes

do you mean joe mellor?

yeah thats him oops

I think it will be Smith and Sam at halfs

If thats the case then thats

Finch, Carmont, Leuluai, Lima, Roberts >OUT

Smith <IN

Thats 5 spaces on the quota which no doubt leaves a nice chunky space in the cap for a big signing!