[quote="DSJ1983":35lpzbc5]Leyland and Russell were the only two possibilities really. Cust is a similar age to those two and I’d have him better than both so they’d both be squad players. Short term we’d have a bit better depth if we’d have signed one of those two instead of Abdul but long term I’d maybe prefer to give Charles and Kemp game time. That’s assuming either would have wanted to join which isn’t a given at all especially Leyland. Either way I don’t think the Abdul signing had any real impact on who we could have brought in, we still went for our main targets regardless.[/quote:35lpzbc5] Big difference between those named is Cust takes a quota spot, very early days, but I'm yet to be convinced he is worth one. Wouldn't have minded Leyland, Russell is awful though.

[quote="Dave K.":2ul22jwb][quote="DSJ1983":2ul22jwb]Leyland and Russell were the only two possibilities really. Cust is a similar age to those two and I’d have him better than both so they’d both be squad players. Short term we’d have a bit better depth if we’d have signed one of those two instead of Abdul but long term I’d maybe prefer to give Charles and Kemp game time. That’s assuming either would have wanted to join which isn’t a given at all especially Leyland. Either way I don’t think the Abdul signing had any real impact on who we could have brought in, we still went for our main targets regardless.[/quote:2ul22jwb] Big difference between those named is Cust takes a quota spot, very early days, but I'm yet to be convinced he is worth one. Wouldn't have minded Leyland, Russell is awful though.[/quote:2ul22jwb] In regards to the recruitment done in this off season as fans we don't know what the clubs plan and strategy is long term. Myler when he came in has had to plug the holes to stop us sinking further so to speak, I don't doubt these signing in the main will have been done to solve issues in the short term but also with an eye on recruitment/retention and promoting from within in mind for the long term. Taking out the fact there were little options available to us as a club at the time, factor in the club probably for once have a long term plan with set criteria so even if the market was awash with a number of players still doesn't mean we'd sign any if those signings had potential to jeopardise the long term goals. Then throw in the new transfer rules which were about to come which has changed the landscape significantly.

[quote="Dave K.":3ge4rprb]Big difference between those named is Cust takes a quota spot, very early days, but I'm yet to be convinced he is worth one. Wouldn't have minded Leyland, Russell is awful though.[/quote:3ge4rprb] Cust and the use of a quota spot is a valid debate but Abdull signing didn’t prevent us using the quota place better, other players just turned us down. As for Leyland yeah in hindsight we could have used Abdulls spot to make a play for Leyland, but he’d still have likely chosen Wire. Hardly a disaster though IMO, if we manage Charles and Kemp properly no reason why one of those l couldn’t be as good as he is at 24, he looked a threat for London but still got a bit to prove.

[quote="DSJ1983":1c086t2u]Cust and the use of a quota spot is a valid debate but Abdull signing didn’t prevent us using the quota place better, other players just turned us down. As for Leyland yeah in hindsight we could have used Abdulls spot to make a play for Leyland, but he’d still have likely chosen Wire. Hardly a disaster though IMO, if we manage Charles and Kemp properly no reason why one of those l couldn’t be as good as he is at 24, he looked a threat for London but still got a bit to prove.[/quote:1c086t2u] Cade has played for Wigan and Salford in Super League and is fully developed. He is unlikely to get any better. Leyland had 1 year in Super League is only 23 and will probably improve as he plays in a more professional environment.

[quote="BOSS HOG":v88gfhaj]Cade has played for Wigan and Salford in Super League and is fully developed. He is unlikely to get any better. Leyland had 1 year in Super League is only 23 and will probably improve as he plays in a more professional environment.[/quote:v88gfhaj] There’s a lot of scope for Leyland to improve, but let’s not forget that it was basically a free shot for London last year, they threw the ball about a lot with no pressure or expectation. When it went well for them they got the plaudits but when they played poorly there was no criticism or analysis it was just expected. Playing as a halfback for Warrington or Hull underachievers with huge expectations is a different kettle of fish, it will be interesting to see how he goes. He’d have been a handy squad player instead of signing Abdull in hindsight for Hull. But we’d have still needed to sign a couple of more experienced/proven halfbacks. It’s a big if, but if Cust gets a good injury free run there’s no reason why he can’t do better than what he showed at Wigan or Salford especially. He’s still only 26, I’m sure Cartwright has signed him on the back of his Manly potential. He certainly wasn’t our first choice though there’s no denying that it is what it is hopefully he might surprise a few people with a bit of injury luck.