The English signings don't inspire me other than kirke who would be a good solid prop. However I thought this about Raleigh and Sykes and they turned out to be signings who contributed very well this year.

We do need a marquee signing or two to get to be regular playoff contenders. I'd like a centre/fullback and a prop.

According to the T&A (Bradford local paper) Sykes is expected to join you guys on a 2-year deal. Link below but it's buried in the article. www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... rts_today/

According to the T&A (Bradford local paper) Sykes is expected to join you guys on a 2-year deal. Link below but it's buried in the article. www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... rts_today/

Let's be honest, how many of our current squad of misfits were we inspired by this time last year? On paper we're a right ramshackle old bunch, but I wouldn't swap em for anyone.

The bit thats relevant:
"Paul Sykes , meanwhile, is believed to have been offered a two-year deal to join Wakefield permanently"

^^^^THIS!!!!^^^^

The problem with NRL signings is unless you have a massive amount of cap space you are only going to attract those players who are surplus to requirements in the NRL.

The salary cap in the NRL is almost double ours in SL as of last year, so even the average players in the NRL can earn good money in Australia without having to come to SL.

Justin Poore may be a player who is not really in demand and may well be looking for a SL move, Asotasi because of his age and form that is not what is once was is another possibility, I would be surprised if Packer was released by the Warriors and the form he has shown this season I am sure he would get a decent offer from another NRL club that would equal anything a club in SL could or should pay for him.

Tbf, most of us thought the "new" squad was an improvement on the previous season and it took over half of the season for them to start and play as a team.
We just need some genuine pace and a bit of quality plus someone like Ben Westwood.
It was pace (and some fatigue) that did for us on Saturday and it would be great to see us frightening opposition teams when the ball turns over in our favour.
It is going to feel like a long off season.

Id the squad started like this for next season I'd be more than pleased:

Mathers
Fox
Collis
Smith
Cockayne
Sykes
Smith
Amor
Ellis
Raleigh
Kirmond
Lauititi
Washbrook

Aiton
Wilkes
New Prop
Mariano

Then we'd have the likes of Wood, Mellars, Southern, possibly Johnson, Wildie, James, Cowling, etc as cover. Yes it would be nice to add a little bit more quality, maybe two props and a wing/centre, but tinkering is more important than overhauling.

I agree. The only place we need an addition is at prop for me. The rest is fine assuming we retain who we have.
I'm ok if PJ goes as his position would be under pressure with a new prop, and then James would be the 5th

After your 17 you name I would retain
Southern
Wood
Mellars
James
Cowling
Walshaw
Trout

I'd have to question keeping John, but happy if he sees out his contract. I'd love to see him put the others under pressure. Can easily move Sykes to other positions if John picks up the challenge.

The new kid from Hull added would be a decent sized squad. Depends how much we loan to Championship to keep them fit.

One thing that is important is to keep both Aiton and Ellis for rotation. I'm not sure any other club would be as blessed as us in that area.

Agar may have a tough call on this one, is Isaac showing him enough to stick with him hoping that he will come good and repay the faith shown in him, or will it be time for a parting of the ways based on the coach wanting his quota players week in week out on the pitch?

Does Mellars stay off quota for the entirety of his contract or was it just for the first year after the Crusaders folded??

To have 3 quota players not guarenteed a spot seems a little crazy to me?

was Moto Tony on quota?