In fairness Willie went through the selection process and knows the budget for the squad. He didn't have to apply for the job.

I wouldn't rule out some more movement on the signings front.

Can't help thinking this is a mistake that may well come back to haunt us. Thanks Ryan and good luck wherever your career might take you next.

Spot on Cheshirecat to let Hampshire go and bring in Gaskell is bad business, We have weakened the team big time + most players brought in by the X coach Yet if things go pear shaped it will be W P who takes the flack you could not make it up .The only hope is he gets the same amount of work rate that he got from them last year when he took over .Which was far more than the x coach

But you said there was room for both? That's what I didn't understand.

I'm still not sure Gaskell is the reason Hampshire isn't staying.

The bottom line it is a false economy we lose another and I look forward to our next signing because currently we are not exactly igniting the enthusiasm of supporters with the exception of a few on here. I am being negative because we are currently approaching the season with less players plus several who may not be fit for the start. I suppose we could play Gaskell in two positions simultaneously because we are putting a lot on his signature. He is good when on the pitch but that is his problem unfortunately and not something you can predict, all the club could do is have a suitable player to cover his absence.

I'm not sure I get your logic. Why is signing Gaskell so terrible?
Hampshire wasn't starting when everyone was fit. He was great cover but cover all the same.

If Gaskell and Jowitt are both injured which is quite possible who do we play at fullback.

Not having a pop here but over the last 5 years Gaskell has played 97 games for Hudds this season was 11.

Over the same period Rocky has played 91 times this is one season at Leigh and 4 at Wakefield. This season Ryan has played 13 games.

We had 3 full backs this year Jowitt, Walker and Rocky as cover, Walker hardly featured 3 full backs is too much of a luxury

It isn’t.

Some fans need a scapegoat and for reasons based on their own prejudices they have picked Gaskell.

He’s a fine player, versatile and thus useful. He’s knocking on a bit and is thus a bit of a risk but then most of our signings are.

Why people just can’t leave it alone and welcome the lad on board Ian’s just give him a chance is beyond me but it says a lot about them and I’m supposed to be the nasty bully.

Listen to the two experts. Funny how others including men who’ve forgotten more about RL than you two will ever know see things differently.

Like most sane people I’ll go with CC, WP and the BOD’s all day long than with a bunch of keyboard coaches if that’s ok?

Quote: cheshirecat57 "No'" Want to reconsider, I would because I found this in two minutes and way more. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... nk-3366050 This is the bit that matters and it's repeated in other articles, 'The Wakefield-born player left his hometown club under a cloud, claiming he discovered he would not be offered a new contract through social media.' Clearly states he'd left the club after refusing a deal. I clearly remember MC coming on here a month later and stating Hampshire had thought things over and had a change of heart. I'm sure that will be verified at some point. So the answer is clearly YES.

Quote: cheshirecat57 "No'" Want to reconsider, I would because I found this in two minutes and way more. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... nk-3366050 This is the bit that matters and it's repeated in other articles, 'The Wakefield-born player left his hometown club under a cloud, claiming he discovered he would not be offered a new contract through social media.' Clearly states he'd left the club after refusing a deal. I clearly remember MC coming on here a month later and stating Hampshire had thought things over and had a change of heart. I'm sure that will be verified at some point. So the answer is clearly YES.

Well, persona;;y I'd drop Gaskell for the next game after that display! Oh - hang on he hasn't played yet has he, but some are already writing him off! Give the lad a break, he's not the reason Hampshire left!
I suspect the reason is financial and IMO the club are right to offer what they think a player is worth.
We move on and as for Gaskell a player with so many SL appearances can't be that bad. There's also the likes of Connor Bailey to come forward so I'm looking forward to next season with what we've got!

You are just looking for issues where we don't have them.
It's no different to any other team. If you have 2 full backs injured you play a kid if you have one ready or a back out of position like Miller or Kay
And if it's long term, you get a loan player, like we have done every other time it has happened in any particular position.

I also think with Gaskell, because of his age which us most talked about, we get a steady head.
How many times have we complained that Miller, Hampshire and to a small extent Lino panic when we get in a good position.
Gaskell is a solution to that. As was Westerman.

Sorry to see Hampshire leave. As a player, the link between him and Trinity has always seemed to be a very fine thread for some reason. Shame really.