If we retain Thornley it has to be as backup.

His body has proven year after year it’s not up to playing in SL and at his age that isn’t going to change.

Don’t get me wrong he’s been and still is a good player but he can’t be relied on to give us value in SL.

Hopefully, he goes injury-free this year and that gives him the confidence and is also able to be honest about whether he's up to another SL campaign, that's probably one of the reasons he's still undetermined maybe and we're looking to bring a couple of guys in who are SL standard.

Tbh watching his interview a few weeks ago, he seems like he's had his head screwed on while playing & been clever with his cash. That's enabled him to have a life planned after he's stopped playing. He said he invested his money into a few properties that are now working for him financially. I also think he said something about being a qualified something or other (electrician?) that he can move into after he stops playing. Seems a bright grounded lad, who hasn't been afraid to make sure they are ready to step into something different when they stop playing, who's also used their money wisely.

He would however offer very good quality rotation and squad depth when required.

Still have to pinch myself at times only 12 months ago we were the leagues patsy and basically hull kr plundered our squad, never thought I’d see tj playing in a Wakefield jersey again. We are signing players from clubs that actually want to keep them. Its a hell of a jump to being a mid table super league team but we’ve come a long way in a very short space of time

I'm the same.
Though to be honest we've never been a mid table team.
We were a bottom half team who occasionally managed to get to the top of the bottom half group but was mostly lower down.

I know we are aiming for playoffs etc but for me, confidently being around 6-7 is a good target.
We are not going to instantly win everything in SL but I'd like to consistently compete to do so.

That's how I see it as well. However, I don't think we could complain if we ended up with Pratt, Thornley, Hall and Scott next year. We'd have plenty of depth and it would allow us to manage Thornley's game time.

Yep

John Bateman being offered to SL clubs. Wests maybe willing to pay a percentage.

I know his Wigan stint wasn’t great but he would be a quality addition in a position we badly need some quality.

Got a good 3 years in him.

Wonder if we will be interested.

I could only imagine if we were to get Bateman and recent rumours of Hastings. That would be more than I expected.

I’ll get my head out of the clouds but he’s worth a look imo.

Bateman would be a great fit. Massive improvement to the area of the pack that is likely to need replacing next year.

If we are spending the cap too then why can’t we have a squad as good as Wigan/saints/catalans etc?

That has to be the aim so I’d imagine there is scope for some quality to come in.

Well Wigan develop a lot of their own for one thing so have access to those players.
After that it's about sourcing good players for the right price and convincing them to come to Wakefield.

You can spend the same as Wigan by getting players like Kevin Proctor but you won't beat them.

Bateman had better be willing to take a pay cut. He earns about £300,000 a year. God knows how much Hastings is going to want.

They say Wests will pay some of his wage so might be an option.

No thank you to Bateman.

Bateman falls into the category of good player but not a person I like...