Might have mis-understood but on reading the League Express this week I get the distinct impression that Sykes fully intends to see out his contract at Bradford - 1 year afther this season, so we may have no say in it -mores the pity as he has been outstanding.

Can he see out his contract Korkidas style, i.e. on loan to us? I haven't seen the article but he might be saying that because the pay is good on his current contract? After all the players salary at the Bulls has not been met with an equal performance level on the field.

Either way it needs sorting now.
I can understand why he says that because that is the only contract he has.
If we offer something decent he might move or come on loan

If he doesn't it gives us chance to replace him.

That link also has Raleigh on a 3 year deal when he is on a 2. How much would we have to pay to get him here permanately do you think given their situation?

I think part of the attraction with Sykes is that we expected very little and he has over performed compared to our expectations. Isaac John however, was expected to perform miracles but delivered less. So whilst I agree Sykes has done a decent job at six, I think it would be a lack of progress if he is in that role next season. We need a genuine stand off who gives us more attacking threat. However, I would like to see Sykes stay at the club, but playing at centre.

What's a genuine Stand Off?

I'm not a genuine Bricklayer, but I bet I could be one if I had the training, opportunity and the desire.

I never get this, genuine prop etc etc. If you can play the position and you fit into the team then you are a S/O. At this moment in time Sykes is a very good S/O and if he carries on that way then he keeps the shirt and is IMO a genuine S/O.

Said it before, you're not born to play any position except where size is an issue and even then it's been overcome many times.

talking of Isaac John, whats happened to him? I know he's dropped out of favour these past 3 week or so, but has he been playing in the reserves or anything? Also his twitter page seems to have disapeered

Is Sykes a very good stand off, or is he just the best we have at the moment?

For me he's a very good S/O at the moment, whether he can keep that up is the acid test.

He is not going to say anything else, it would reduce his bargaining position, if he says he is going back they cannot buy him off cheaply. He will look towards a full contract payout, if he gets that on top of a new deal elsewhere he is quids in. Good business sense and good advice from his agent - nothing to do with his cut though

Lets just say he's both at the moment. At least he seems to have the skills required, if he had a little more speed I think he would have all the attributes but he's letting no one down at the moment.

Sykes has always being a very good player who can play anywhere in the backs and not let you down good kicker just lacks a yard of pace but hope we get him next season

Here I am not agreeing with you again!

A stand-off is one of the more skillfull players on the field, he should possess natural speed of thought and action (above and beyond most fellow team-mates) and have a natural eye for an opportunity. There have been few better in my lifetime than Toppo, and I could not envisage him playing in any other position for any length of time at all - i.e. a 'natural' stand-off!