I think you’re doing what we all do. It’s true we do have those wages free, however those wages were negotiated under the old Sky deal.

I’m no accountant but my guess would be that if you were to sign all those players today you’d have to offer them 20% less.

So you have a choice I suppose. You either try and recruit similar players on lesser salaries - not easy. You’d assume agents and players would realise there was less cash about and be more realistic but I wouldn’t bet on it.

Or you maintain the quality but sign approx one less. Unpopular with fans but easily the better option imho.

Its here that your academy comes into play. If Mash has got it right there will now be a few players hitting 20 who are capable of covering in emergencies. Not ideal but needs must.

There are certainly three players we need to see push on this season, that’s Eseh and Shaw and Bowes assuming we are retaining them. Ditto any others. Relatively low wages but with a point to make and a career to build.

Some will say this is risky and doing it on the cheap. I would say it’s playing to your strength and cashing in your investment. I know it’s a cliche but there is no point having an academy if you don’t use it and WP has stated he will and has certainly trusted youth so far.

The big test will hopefully be in two years time when possibly all the players have made it. By then you’d hope the money situation would be far better.

Fair point. I'd knocked one of the forwards off my list.
But I would get a proven quality half back and keep Murphy and Hall first. Then a Fifita replacement. Then see what's left.

It's a good job [isomebody[/i at the club is then Vasty......
Agree with what you say about the acadamy players - it appears we have some young gems there.....

Why do we never see a quality half back coming through from the academy? I suppose the last really good one was Nigel Wright and that is going back a long way

Because you don't see them anywhere not just Trinity. They are as rare as hens teeth and I don't know why, even in Oz there are less than there used to be.

So I'm guessing you didn't rate Danny Brough first time around. Huge fan as I was of Wrighty Brough was just as good if a different style and was far more durable.

Didn’t Matty Willie come through as a halfback then transition to a 9? He was the last I remember coming through who went on to make some decent appearances.

Maybe Paul Handforth. It’s been sp though.

I think part of the reason is that we pigeon hole players to early.
Too small too slow must be a forward etc. They need to have time to develop and decide what they want to do as well. Same in any industry to be honest.

Forgot about Brough but didn't we let him go to Dewsbury then York then Hull and Castleford before he really came good then Huddersfield outbid us then back to us when it was too late

He got himself sacked from us but yes in a round about way. We always knew he was good, just nuts at 19.

More recently
George Williams
Harry Smith
Mikey Lewis
Lewis Dodd
Rowan Milnes
Jake Truman
Oliver Russell
Will Price
Ben McNamara

Nearest we’ve come of late is probably Connor Bailey who I’d have liked to have been given more time to settle and develop but it wasn’t to be

Off WT twitter:
'For those travelling to Huddersfield without a ticket, please note that you must pay cash at the turnstile. You will not be able to get a ticket from the Ticket Office'

Well I actually thought this would be the hardest test but it sounds like we came through it well. It is not like Lino to miss try conversations but maybe he is carrying an injury. I will say well done and I bet it was quite an emotional one for both the players and supporters.

Unlucky, good end to the season.

Up the Trin

Some real positives to take from tonight!

Bowes looked immense and Butler played some decent minutes.

Murphy was quiet tonight but didn’t really get much chance, that said he didn’t do much wrong either.

I’ll give him that though after the form he’s been in!