Crabtree please !..

We need a prop in my opinion but Wood is not the answer. We need a leader and a big personality Wood is not that. To be honest cant think if anyone in SL that fits the bill and that would be available. If we sign Wood, what was the point of letting Fielden go?

Paul wood is no pack leader and that's what we are short of.

Ho hum signing if it turns out to be him.

If a fees involved it could be someone who doesn't appear to be available a la Fielden when he signed.

True but to get a top class prop a six figure sum would be required and it wouldn't start with a "1" either. Can't see IL splashing that much cash and in any case it would be pretty crazy for any other club who has such a prop to be selling him one game into the season. The best props are at the best clubs who have ambitions of glory. I don't know of any top props at a cash strapped club who would could prize away with a wadge of cash.

If there is anything in this I can only see it as a prop of the level of Wood and I don't see the point of that. Wane said himself "“If someone is available who we like then we’ll take a look, but I can honestly say there’s no-one right now who stands out.”

It doesn't necessarily need to be a prop but we do need a forward with more aggression.

The halves and Thornley looked promising on Friday so hopefully we will feel more positive about the centre and halfback positions as the season progresses.

The only club now without a wealthy benefactor is Castleford. It has been suggested they are around £2.5m in debt so one would suspect they may be tempted by a cash offer for one of their players.
Their best prop IMO by far is Craig Huby, 26 years old and a reasonable goal kicker too. They'd certainly want real or even unreal money for him.
The other prop would be Keith Mason, aged 30 and we all know about him. With Hock and Fielden gone it might work.
Otherwise it maybe London where we'd look and to me Kaufusi is a big man. Can put it about too. Think he's about 28.

Huby and Kaufusi would be better than Wood although it may take some cash to free them up.

I'd take Lopini Paea from Catalans, big aggressive prop which we need, maybe even take a punt on Simon from Catalans, he's a big lad.

Australian press hinting that Sam's representatives are sounding out an NRL club for next season. Can't say I'm surprised, but it does make a mockery of the "not speaking to other clubs for 3 years" comment. Only small consolation would be a large fee and/or player exchange? (You never know, Billy Slater may fancy a gap year!)

rlhttp://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/englands-sam-tomkins-eyes-nrl-contract/story-fnca0von-1226570334432?sv

Phil Wilkinson Tweeted "Rumours are true, Wigan are keen to sign Warrington prop Paul Wood - deal is not done yet (& would be surprised if it happened before Fri).".

Quote: Wigan Peer "Phil Wilkinson Tweeted "Rumours are true, Wigan are keen to sign Warrington prop Paul Wood - deal is not done yet (& would be surprised if it happened before Fri).".'" Is Paul in the right frame of mind to be playing SL currently? I am not posting this to make light of mental health, just unsure if he would be able to offer 100%? www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyl ... attle.html

Quote: Wigan Peer "Phil Wilkinson Tweeted "Rumours are true, Wigan are keen to sign Warrington prop Paul Wood - deal is not done yet (& would be surprised if it happened before Fri).".'" Is Paul in the right frame of mind to be playing SL currently? I am not posting this to make light of mental health, just unsure if he would be able to offer 100%? www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyl ... attle.html

Why let Fielden go and sign Wood? Spend the best part of 2 years getting him fit to let another club gain the benefits, IMO Fielden had a good game at the weekend, as good as I've seen him for a long while.

Wood is an average prop, doesn't offer anything we don't already have, hardly a suitable replacement for Lima.

I can't believe we let Fielden go and then potentially make a Knee jerk reaction and sign Paul Wood, who in my opinion isn't as good as Fielden and not that much younger than him! Bearing in mind Fielden has had virtually two years rest and recovery time. Doesn't seem to make much business sense to me, unless Fielden wasn't prepared to accept what would ahave been a revised contract.

That can be the only answer, surely??
If not, the Club needs their bumps feeling! (there's a joke in there somewhere )
However, I also agree that Wood isn't the right man... we need a tough, fear no-one, pack leader to:-
i) guide us around the park
ii) bring on the younger players.
Trouble is, there's not one out there that would't cost us the Earth to entice.
It doesn't need anyone on a long term basis... the right twilight player would be OK if we can get a season or two out of them (dare I say, a Morley or a Peacock? ).
If anyone remembers those dark days, when we signed Peter Smethurst to do, and who actually did, just that.