I rate Sam O and always have. But why do we need him when we have Matt W who is primarily a 7 who has done time (SL) at 9? For me our overseas players should be Southern, Ali, Collis, Mellars, Smith and John only. The surplus money should be spent on Mathers/Smith style players or 2nd team Trin players. We could draw a line in the sand and look to promote the youth or spend more cash on released young uns (ie Gledhill) before they go. I remember the feel good factor when Kear in the early days gave loads of chances to potentially risky English players and a lot came off. It felt good then and could do if we gave the backing to Walshaw Cowling etc or carefully selected projects. Granted most might not come off (there is always a risk with a junior or a project) , but we cant be half as bad as last year looking at the solid players we have got in the squad now. Potentially add Dowes and there is more experience to mix the likes of walshaw with.

I'm not sure Obst is needed although he was a bit of a crowd favourite and I wouldn't be gutted to sign him on a short-term deal and if he is off quota. But if we are running close to the cap then other positions are in more need of attention, mainly the front row and the threequarters. Announce James, sign up Tongia and add Dowes as a priority and if there is anything left in the pot maybe look for a bit more centre cover in case of injuries. But the halves & hooker position is well covered already.

how can you be so sure that Obst is 100% signing for you, stories eminating at our end is that we are struggling to offload him and he looks to be staying with us for next season.

watch this space......i personally think that he is a back up option if the visa applications from either Smith & John get refused.

so whats the problem in having a big squad, christ, last year we had nothing. does it matter if we have three or four to cover, i for one are loving this. lets have the bigest squad in the league

I'm thinking some of our players must be on peanuts to keep us under the quoted salary cap ?

Im thinking some are, because they will be playing little or no 1st team rugby.
The positive in all this is that quite a few of our signings are 1 year ones, giving the younger players an opportunity to learn, while ultimately not blocking their intended development target, the first team.
Once there they will presumably have an opportunity to display their talents and be offered a bigger and better contract, or go to Huddersfield!!!!

Heard a rumour that Hull were trying so swap Obst for certain ex wakefield back rower at Shudds.

Are not some heading for duel reg or loans?

Now come on, you're going to have to do better than that. Their whole squad is made up of ex Wakefield players, there are so many it's hard to narrow it down to just the one...

Fergie

Seeing that Huddersfield have just released two backrowers to us and have plenty of cover in the halves and at hooker then I can't see much mileage in that.

all speculation at moment but need back rowers so they could have been asking.

Not quite the 100% you stated yesterday - or could it be that, like the rest of us, you just don't really know and are clutching at the rumours doing the rounds!

You may well be right about the back-up plan - that would make much sense - but at the moment the club have other targets in their sights and we will just have to wait to find out who they are, if they are successful!