I like Brown, with a bigger pack around him next year and a better pre season, he could have a great year.

He needs to either back Smith with some cash or come out and tell the truth that we can't afford the full cap and we are building from the ground up.

I'd have him at LF next year, only forward will good handling skills, need someone there to play as a link and offers something going forward, Cator offers nothing

Sao, Ese'ese, Pele and Ashworth the props.

I think next year we need to look at releasing Cator, Lane and Carlos. Fash fine as a back up for work rate

Problem is though moving forward is the current signings announcement with all due respect aren’t exactly awe inspiring. Ese’ese the only one that has genuine credentials. Okunbor & Pele could be hits or misses. Again Tindal & Ashworth aren’t going to get supporters that excited.

We have a big issue with Clifford going and no sign of a like for like replacement on top of Trueman being out until end of Feb at the earliest.
We still have an issue at 9, despite his best efforts this season if we end up going with Houghton as the main 9 next season it’ll be a mistake.

The current squad for next season looks even weaker overall than this seasons poof performers.

With the combination of another embarrassing end of season tali off and the current signings, it’s not going to have a lot of fans itching to go round again.

Our 3 overseas who are still her next season, Hoy missed over half the season, Tuimavave played just over half the season and Sao missed a third of the season. Wasting so much money. Clifford, who we aren’t replacing, our only very good overseas signing for years.

Unless Smith can pull off a couple of miracle signings of uk players and a top halfback, we won't much better next season.

I wouldnt be massively bothered if any of those 3 weren't here next season.

Agreed but ones gunna be our makeshift half, ones our captain and ones our pack leader.

Smith still seemingly calm but still get a feeling he may pull the plug when the financial reality kicks in.and he cant get the backing he needs due to financial restraints.
The signings made dont cost money at this stage but the loss of some sponsors as they are being asked for more money for next season and expected decrease in pass sales will put ever more pressure on Pearson

Think Hoy will be ok, behind a better pack and if he can avoid his hamstring injuries.

Carlos is sadly finished, too many injuries.

Sao is steady, if he was English, but not he is good enough for a quota spot and that's without injuries and suspensions.

And that’s the big issue isn’t it Dave, normally a club could raise the mood with some big signing announcements but we are very limited now with only one quota spot available and in need of a out & out 7 and a 9. So unless the club can produce say Ackers & a top class half from the NRL along with a couple more domestic big hitters we are really going to be struggling.

Leigh have shown what can be done in a short space of time and Salford who have repeatedly lost big players but still compete the following seasons following their recruitment even after losing Watson and relatively tight budget.