Given the dough that AG has ploughed into WTW, it would no doubt be a very tough decision to refuse a big offer for Anakin, especially if it included Benny Westwood as a sweetener.

I'd much prefer to see him retained, but when it comes down to financial decisions and getting the best bang for your buck on a limited budget, I won't condemn our owner for making tough choices; in a few years, we might be in a position to pay these kids enough to keep them on the fringes and drip-feed them into the 1st team, a la Wigan, but we're not there yet.

It is my acid test as far as 1873 goes - If we lose Annekin then I'd have to see a very good explanation as to why for me to think it was worth me continuing to pay into Club 1873

I don't remember him saying that; I do remember him saying that we would work towards spending the full cap over (I think) a 3 year period, but that it would be predicated on more fans coming through the gates.

No flak from me either.Somehow or other we have to build a team for the here and now.
Secure our Superleague future as much as is feasibly possible, by creating a team which at least wins more than it loses.
I would not want to see Annakin go but if we are to be offered a pile of dough to invest in a couple of quality players plus gaining Westwood, it would be very hard to turn down.
Money invested in Annakin would not have been wasted , if proven and fully commited Superleague players were brought in to boost the sqaud.

I know of 2 young Championship forwards who have discussed the option of going over. This may not lead to anything but it shows that they are not scared to look away from Super League. One of the guys who came over was told by an aussie coach over here to have a look at Lillycrop. Not sure if it has gone any further, but made up agents talk it wasnt.

Anyone in the 18 to 22 bracket is been looked at. With the increased cap over there, they can throw £50k a year at a kid on the off chance he comes off. Something we/most SL clubs simply cannot do.

It does seem that the Annakin situation is becoming a test of where we are as a club and where we want to go.
However, when you look at clubs like Wigan, who have probably the best production line for young lads making it all the way to SL stardom, they are prepared to sell their youngsters, mainly because there are plenty more coming through their system and equally they are also able to pay their superstars, if they want to keep them (Sam Tomkins being the prime example).
Our situation is somewhat different due to our need to do good business, in order to compete around mid table but more importantly, we just don't develop enough SL quality players.
Therefore, we are desperate to hold on to them at all costs but, the reality is that even if we develop a superstar and regardless of the value of the 1873 scheme, the club has to do what is best for Wakefield Trinity and if that means cashing in, then we still have to cash in, disappointing as it is.
Where we have missed a trick, is by not having our better players on long term contracts, which would allow us to realise full value for our assets.

As I have posted previously I believe there is a problem with recruitment and retention of our OWN. I think Danny Cowling is in the same situation as Chris i e OCC , Jon Molloy (who doesn’t look fit) is signed and goes straight into the first team squad instead of Lube , Brad Singleton is brought into the first team squad but Adam Gledhill is not retained , Reece Lynne is signed but Jordan Grayston is not retained At the last Forum RFA said in answer to a question, which model of development he wanted to follow Wigan, Leeds , Warrington or Huddersfield and he stated the development of our own route not signing others rejects.

I imagine he still feels the same way, but we're a way off that yet; he hasn't had time to develop young players through his own system yet, so the ones he's dealing with now are caught between two posts. Equally, we don't yet have the financial freedom to retain every single player who looks promising, particularly if wealthier clubs are waving wads of cash at the player and the club - some will have to go to fund the development of others AND pay for a 1st team squad capable of attracting supporters. Others will have to go play at a lower level, because they're just not good enough.

It's a fine line to tread when you don't have a Dr Kashkow or a Ken Davey with their magic chequebook.

Agree.

When this topic got brought up a couple of months ago I said the same then, we should do everything we can to keep the lad but if a bidding war starts we shouldn't pay what we can't afford. Like you say hopefully in a few years we'll be in a place where we can spend what we want, this is where the new stadium comes into it.

I think the whole future of the club is based around Newmarket happening sooner rather than later. All seems to have gone a little quiet on that front, it would be nice if we had some form of official update soon with some facts included, rather than the old 'trust us, there's lots going on in the background' line.

In fairness, sometimes it's not a line - it's the truth; a lot of what's happening now will be confidential negotiations between different businesses, none of whom will want any information in the public domain until t's are crossed and i's dotted.

Tense, but it's the way it has to be I guess.

Exactly, I really don't know what people expect - this is now big business with massive investment, it's not a sponsored walk to raise a few quid for a new roof over the old bogs.

No but wasn't there supposed to be a statement from the club when reserved matters went in? That never happened. Wasn't the £2million from the council not supposed to have been discussed and likely be reinstated in April? Well, did it happenb or not? Wasn't the target for full planning meant to be the end of this month? Is that still the aim?

I don't think think anyone expects the deepest secrets to be revealed but some feedback on what we already knew was happening, or was planned to be happening, would be nice. People are asking questions and no news at all is emerging and as such the 'it will never be built' brigade are starting up again in earnest. It would be nice to counter this but its gone very quiet. If we are to be getting the keys by the start of 2015 then we need to be getting started soon.

But a new roof would be appreciated