Have to agree our recruitment has been a bit odd this year. I don't believe that Berrigan has asked for a release, the evidence suggests that it's the other way round, although it is strange that it has been left until now. I'm also glad we've got Westerman in the long-term although agree his was hardly the priority position to strengthen this season.

[iThe really worrying thought for me is that the coach and board are happy to go into the season with an unbalanced squad given that next off-season we have so many players off contract and can almost entirely remodel the squad then. The implication of this would be that poor performance this season can be blamed on squad imbalance/injuries and Agar gets another new contract to manage 'his team' mk2 in the 2012 season and beyond...[/i

Bit of a reach there. For starters, there have been a number of attempts to change the composition of the squad over the closed season. And for all we know these could be continuing. Plus Agar has stated that he wanted/wants HB cover if we can get it.

Thats just me double guessing the situation mate!

Let the recruitment finish before ripping into it because the signings so far IMO have been very good.

Bit of a reach I agree, just a thought I had. On the numerous attempts to change the squad compositon though Sharp is a straight swap for Calders, the moves for LMS and Fielden were straight upgrades on Dowes and Radford. My theory is based on the Westermann signing, when we've already got Fitz it does look like the signing of a coach who knows he'll be here after this season regardless. Also and without wishing to get into the 'there's no halfbacks out there' debate on this thread aswell, I really don't believe that the fee and cap space used on Westerman couldn't have been used to recruit a halfback from somewhere.

I agree...and no matter what fans thoughts are on Agar his recruitment record is very good, and I believe he will keep with this trend.

I can't remember where i heard it but, Berro offered to not take up the option of his 4th year. The club decided that it wasn't in their best interests and wanted him to stay.
Maybe now we have changed our mind due to having somebody lined up? Bit unfair on Berrigan but i don't believe we decided to out him without having a back up plan.

This gets said a lot but is it that great though?

Fitz and O'Meley - great signings but was hardly rocket science to get those two
Tansey - Flashes of brilliance but very inconsistent and has had discipline problems
Long- took a gamble on his fitness and it didn't pay off last year , jury's still out
Lauaki- Rarely shows his power, often a liability...waste of a quota spot so far
Turner- Highly rated prospect but hasn't done much yet

In my opinion the only time Agar has really worked some magic in the transfer market is Moa. And let's not forget this is also the guy that signed Thorman and Reardon.

Can you please explain how signing Fitz and O'Meley "was hardly rocket science"?

I would guess because they are Origin and International veterans.

Well when the forward pack needed improving is it rocket science to realise that the best way to do it is to get two Aussie international/S.O.O forwards in?

I guess it depends whether you believe what the club say about Agar being instrumental in them agreeing to come to FC over anywhere else but I don't think most people swallow that.

Weren't there rumours that he was going to get rid of Moa at the end of last season?

So was Mark 'Spud' Carroll TBF!

I was told we wouldnt get more then 6 games out of O'Meley because off injury this time last year so i reckon there are still risks associated with every signing.

I thought of that and the fact that on occasion he got dropped last season after being our best player... but on balance he got plucked from virtual obscurity, has improved greatly and remains an FC player so I thought Agar deserves praise for that.

Surely if they were SOO and international veterans, it would have far from "rocket science" get signed them up?

I sometimes wonder if Agar really is instrumental in the signings, but we have nothing to sugest otherwise and every player who has signed has claimed the same thing.

Well I was referring to Agar's ability to identify signings that would improve the squad, every poster on here could have identified Fitz and O'Meley. If you want to follow the club line that Agar is instrumental in them choosing us over other clubs that's fair enough.