Agree with all of this. We're desperate for a 7 with a good kicking game, our kicks on the last are dreadful, i'd even go as far as saying we're the worst in the league at this aspect of the game. In the tight games, a good kicking game can be worth at least 10 points.

With regards to players off contract, i'd say that even the ones that we keep will be on reduced contracts, especially if we keep Feka and/or Fielden. Its clear that we will have a fair bit of money to play around with at the end of this season.

As I understand it the reports are true and Wests are also sniffing around. Interesting to note Marshall is not the classic organising half yet they would like to take him over there and pair Brown with him.

As tough as it is because he seems a great lad and a player who gives his all, Phelps has to go. I feel Brown could well be that man, as I mentioned on another thread would also not mind that man to be Ratchford.

Brown has an excellent passing game and is the heartbeat of everything good Hudds to going forward, for me the Deacon signing has not paid off and while he may bring something to the table as a coach I feel his playing days are over (or will be come the end of the season). Replacing the position covered by Phelps and Deacon whilst also giving us more options in the halves and IF they gell (which seems to be the major concern due to their styles) we could have the best British born half back partnership for the next decade.

I love it how people just completely forget about the defensive role of a full back just because they've seen a few too many Billy Slater highlights. Neither Sam Tomkins nor Kevin Brown should be considered at full back because they aren't good enough tacklers and I'm not sure how either would be under the high ball either. We've got Amos Roberts who is a brilliant attacking full back and a good defensive one too. We're all set at half back and shouldn't be thinking about messing up the whole team to accomodate a signing.

Ideally this season I think it should beKeep
Carmont (1 year max) - Still playing well enough to hold down that centre spot and can't remember him being injured this season, better than signing up someone to start a 'settling in period' when we'll be aiming for trophies.

Coley (1 year max) - I thought this season would be his last but I'd hate to see him go when he's clearly not ready for retiremement.

Fielden (1 year max) - That's as long as we can get him on a reasonable wage, if not then keep Prescott instead. Fielden's looking better now but I worry that he might just be playing for a new contract so probably best to keep him on for a year and see if the improvement continues.

Paleaaesina (1 or 2 years) - He'll come good, I really hope Maguire is moulding him into the player he wants rather than trying a quick fix then dumping him on the scrap heap.

Pryce (1 or 2 years) - He looks like maybe he's turning the corner now, there's a very talented player in there somewhere and Carmont's 4 shirt will be up for grabs soon

McIllorum (2 or 3 years) - He's not quite as good as Roby or Lunt but he's a good second hooker and I like his terrier like style, he's definitely the kind of guy you want on when it's a mudbath at Cas and the dirty tackles start coming in.

Goulding (2 or 3 years) - Maybe he was a winger all along. I know he's not the most talented player in the world but he's scoring bags of tries and does his job in defence so I'd be happy for him to take the 2 shirt next year with Roberts at full back.

Hansen (3 or 4 years) - Can't remember any bad games from Hansen, just tackles, tackles and tackles some more, get him signed up.

Out
Phelps - I don't really see where he fits in and he's taking up a quota spot

Bailey - Looks very ready for retirement and we've got younger back rowers to take his place.

Prescott - I've watched him from his debut and I think he'll mature into a good player but I don't think our props pack enough clout and he's 5th best right now IMO.

Deacon - Never really seen him do much on field this season, will be a useful addition to our coaching staff though.

In
A prop with loads of go-forward who will make a big difference to the team, must be at least good enough that he would make the England team.

I must say I’ve read much of this thread in total disbelief!

I simply cannot believe that a hand-full of good performances in a low status team (not too many other big names) has managed to persuade folk that K.Brown is anything less than a decent player.
For me, never in a millions years is he good enough for Wigan. Never was imo when he got all the hype when he broke through, and despite shining in a Hudds side I still don't see him as being remotely good enough to push us on at all!
He’s simply not good enough. For me he hasn’t got the kicking game that many believe he has. We are crying out for one. For me, he won’t supply us with one.

All in my opinion of course! Others are more than entitled to their opinion that differs from mine.
But if this was to gather any pace or God-forbid progress on, I’d feel we'd be taking a major side-ways step! To replace LuLu with him is daft. To throw him into the centres in place of Carmont is for me, an insult to Goulding and all he has put in for the club! He’s no better than Goulding at centre!
I must say I’m bewildered!

You must be thinking of two different players to the ones we're talking about.

Agreed although with Fielden and probably Feka on reduced contracts and 4 players to leave, we can afford to sign more than 1 player

a Marquee Prop and a good utility player who can cover 2-3 positions in case of injury would be ideal for me

Perhaps some do think we should have kept him but if they do it doesn't follow that he should be re-signed.

Some of the suggestions in this thread to accommodate his signing are way out on left field IMO. He would not be content to be Phepls replacement i.e. a utility player, centre is not his best position, he's not a good enough full back and not an organising 7. He's a 6 and the idea we should move Sam T to full back to get Brown is nuts. I don't think anyone has said Sam 7 and Brown 6 but that is nuts as well IMO as Sam is also a classic 6 not a 7.

People can regret him going if they want but I hope they don't compound what they may see as an error by bringing him back. If we need another half back because Deacon is retiring sign a 7 with a kicking game.

There is also the salary cap to consider and neither TL or Sam are off contract so I think if we have a third half back they have to be reasonably cheap which is why we got Deacon. I don't think we could afford Brown, TL and Sam who are all established first 17 players now.

Dave

Unless the powers that be are listening to peoples calls for Tommy to play at 9 and they think that Brown can play 7.

That's the one option I missed! That would also be nuts IMO. Brown isn't a 7 and certainly not the organising type with good kicking game that seems the top of most peoples list for such a player. And despite his world cup exploits many are not convinced TL is a 9 anyway.

If the plan is to put TL at 9 when Riddell leaves we need to be looking elsewhere for a 7 and not at Brown for that role IMO.

Dave

Brown is a quality centre. He could be international class in that position.

I would sooner have brown than shenton personally.

I must admit, it's getting to be a quite a long time since I watched Shenton and thought "wow, we could really do with that lad in our team". Several times recently, however, I've thought that about Brown. I didn't think he was particularly bad against Warrington last weekend. The real ones who let Huddersfield down last Saturday were their 'enforcer' forwards.

I agree with you on this one Rogues.




Now, about this McGoldrick fella.....