According to the League Weekly today, Dave Parker says that Ratchford has signed for Warrington.

Admittedly, Parker roams the forums for rumours and claims them as facts, but he states

'Forget any further speculation, I am telling you that Salford's Stefan Ratchford will be playing for Warrington Wolves from 2012'.

Yes.

Briscoe scorred a very decent try today tbf but the hype over him in unreal.

Ratchford may not be the better player of the two BUT Briscoe isn't needed with the talented wingers we've got. As for him comming in at centre he's not the guy to replace Carmont either.

Ratchford wouldn't be a starter but would easily fill that utility role Phelps was in as he can cover a lot of positions with ease. A very useful guy to have IMO.

FWIW neither are good enough to bs the big name we need to replace Carmont.

I think much depends on the Tomkins situation. If we are going to retain Joel in the centre birth he offers the size and defence and would be the natural successor to Carmont for style of play. Briscoe would come in as the strike option cutting lines and using his footwork to make the breaks.

I see him as very much a young Kirk Yeaman style but with much more potential.

With the best will in the world Ratchford is an organiser and he lacks the dynamism that we need in our back line wider out in my opinion and while he would provide good cover to step in when we have injuries I do not think he has the ability to play in such a key position, either centre or half, consistently for a top side.

Watching Carmont over the past few weeks we can't afford to be looking for a replacement as we need the guy to stay. He's having a terrific season and looks like a 21yr old running around. As often said he must be the best value fir money signing we've made in superleague and the problem cones when you have to replace that type of player. He's been that good its going to cost a fortune to get an overseas player as good.

I always thought that Yeaman would blossom into a world class centre, just shows how much i know.

Always punched well above his weight but has failed to live up to the early hype. He is playing well at the moment, but he should have been ripping it up for the last 5 years.

Another talented young player that probably should have moved away from FC.

Spot on.

It's gonna take a very good player to fill the boots of Carmonts.

I don't think we'd be lucky enough to find another bargain like Carmont so it's gonna be a big earner to replace him.

I agree, worth another year on his current form, would be nice to bring in a young but ready first team quality centre to replace him though when injuries come in and when he needs a rest, with a view to him finally hanging up his boots at the end of next season.

The worry I have with Carmont is that Lenagan has already said he thinks he'll go home at the end of the year but since then Gleeson has left and now Lenagan must do everything in his power to get the guy to stay.

I could see Carmont staying because at the end of the day the guy probably won't get a club on the NRL as I don't think he's ever had much of a reputation over there and they may not realise what a late bloomer the guy has been. He's getting better year on year and I'd be made up if he stayed.

Hopefully him having about 50 kids will mean he has to prolong his career.

All indications are that Carmont will retire. Although I'm in full agreement he'd be well worth another year. I'd like to keep Joel at centre in 2012. But if Hoffman returns to Auz it leaves us light in the backrow IMO, particularly if Hock does indeed return as a prop.

We also mustn't forget about Charnley and the quality he would provide playing in the centre's.

The Gleeson situation makes it for me crucial, assuming he stays fit and on form Carmont remains for 1 more year. It would be very very tough to lose 2 centres in the space of a few months. Had Gleeson remained at the club, i would be open to us looking at a more long term solution, but the minute Gleeson went I feel we have to take a short term view and ensure we have some stability in a very important position on both sides of the field.

Charnley does become a long term option and also potentially Marsh but I feel they are a season or 2 away at bast for front line week in week out centre play.

I doubt we'll be getting to find out anytime soon as Maguire just doesn't seem to see him in that position.

I'd love to see him get a crack there on Sunday but I'd be surprised.

I'd like George to stay another year, but I'm hearing that he says his body can't take the battering any more. It doesn't seem to be a choice thing with him.

I've heard the same that George thinks his body has had enough of the battering in RL and he'll retire.
The left centre will be hard to fill.
Joel may stay as right centre and that would suit him as he played as our right sided 2nd rower.
Hock may well come in as prop but he could replace Hoffman in the 2nd row next year. Although Coley may go too we have plenty cover with younger props looking for their opportunity.
As Hock is a left sided 2nd rower it could give cover if say Goulding was used as left centre.
Many fans think Goulding isn't good enough but surely he has to be tried there before we spend plenty money.

Were after Stefan Marsh of Salford if we are to believe the Wigan Observer.