I think the sort of outcry that is happening at present with the FC fans I meet every day now is based on the fact that whatever the in's and outs of the current half back situation are, the fact is, we have let one go without having another in the bag. This because apparently Lam was all but signed and sealed and that that now appears not to be the case, which has left us vulnerable as a club.

Its a situation we have seen before, to our detriment, and one, (with the current availability of halves coupled with the fact of our current standing as a club that is at rock bottom, has a reputation for having a very caustic and critical fanbase, has a reputation for cutting players adrift mid contract, is in flux as far as Financial backers are concerned, has a very very inexperienced guy doing the wheeling and dealing and is at the end of a train line and miles from the other centres of the game), that doesn't make is a very tempting proposition.

So now, we need a couple of charismatic Gareth Ellis type characters one of whom has to play in a very specific and critical role for the club at half back. They are always out there if we can pay a big transfer fee, because clubs are strapped for cash across the UK game, but who would want to come with all the above caviats surrounding the club.

All that stacks up to say to the devoted fan who loves the club and just wants some certainty and hope to cling to going forward, (at a club we all love so much and desperately want to see rise again), that we are extremely vulnerable at present.

I think the decision to let Trueman leave is the correct decision, even if we don't have replacement lined up as yet. IF we'd not agree to this release, we probably would've had a player to remain on our roster,whose durability is questionable on a marquee salary.
The rumour I've heard, I hope isn't true, as his replacement.
However, a lot of player movements occur in the NRL, usually happens at the end of the season.

Drinkwater?

Wouldn't argue against any of your post Pete. We all know the player pool is at an all time low and quality halves are scarce, which makes the decision to let a talented half that's under contract leave without any replacement very baffling and concerning indeed despite him being injury prone, given the issues we face in the market. Personally I think the decision to let Trueman go is correct based on the lack of time on the field in a season, but its concerning that with such a shortage in that position we have no replacement in line. I would even suggest that the fact Wakey have offered a 3 year deal for him with his history is further evidence of the difficulty in finding quality, particularly in that position.

The fact that Dan states in his article the club are now taking stock for me is a little alarming also as I read that based on our recruitment history over the last few years to mean we have very little or no options/idea at present on where to go after failing to lure Lam.

We can only hope that in a Coach of Cartwrights standing within the Australian game he can pull a couple of gems out to fill our remaining quota spots.

I don't think it would be alarmist to suggest that if the club do not start giving some positive news or vibes out soon that fans can genuinely buy in to then it could be a death knell for the club. Most of the fans that have memberships/passes or pay on the day are not daft, don't have the highest of expectations and understand that we are in a rebuild on a scale never seen, but, after the past few years and the failure to deliver on promises, the club simply saying we are rebuilding be patient just isn't going to wash anymore for a high percentage of the ones the club take for granted.

The cheap option would have been to replace Smith with Grix though, instead its known we went after Rowley and possibly Adrian Lam, and have ended up with an Australian. Ellis also returned which adds to the wage bill too.

Im as negative and conerned as a lot of people are but I dont think Pearson is daft enough to run it into the ground and hope IMG keep saving us. The main thing keeping us up on the IMG score are crowds, if people drift away we'd be in discussion for the chop (still dont think there are enough strong Championship applicants to replace many of the current SL teams though)

The reason Asista left the NRL and signed for a Championship club rather than SL club, was his refusal to have the covid jab.

Also Lam and Amone both signed for Leigh in the Championship.

That's the one I've heard.
Hope it's only a rumour.

I'd rather us go with what we have than sign him. Imagine been promised a bit of class by Pearson and ending up with Drinkwater

I'm not overjoyed with Cust, who IMO is better than Drinkwater, but to sign both would be a real kick in the knuts.

Dan's article is spot on and also depressing, think we have really messed up the halfback situation, did the club really think Lam was coming, we all new it wouldn't happen really should have had a plan B.

You'd have thought the club would've leaned from past scenarios ,Especially the half back situation .

Looks like our traditional winter sport is on again. Half back hunting.

Would seriously be offering Jackson Hastings to come over!

We really needed a boost after another horror season and reading that it's a massive letdown. No matter what way you look at it doesn't read well.

"Taking stock" after we missed out on one of if not the best HB in SL (which like you say was very unlikely to happen) doesn't sound very positive especially when there's an indication our next option could be a reserve with little NRL experience. I was expecting Asi or a player of similar experience and quality. Maybe I'm being to pessimistic.

Letting our marquee HB leave on the same day isn't particularly good timing whether it's a good decision or not. Like the departure of Connor no fee has been mentioned either.

I'm still prepared to give the the benefit of the doubt and wait and see if we do sign a couple of quality players but after reading that article I'm a bit deflated to say the least.

It’s obvious he was way too good for the championship in his prime, but the point I’m making is that him joining Hull is not the indicator of a huge change in financial situation that some seem think it is. It’s a salary cap sport, players move around. We gave Trueman a huge deal in 23 and offered Clifford big money for 24 way before AP planted the ‘investment’ fairytale in our heads to take the heat off. Asiata joined because we offered him 3 years, Im sure the deal was on our radar and still would have been done under AP, Clark and Smith. As you’ve pointed out yourself and confirmed by everyone in the sport (hence the rule change) these May 1st deals all got done months way in advance.

It’d be tough to get deep in discussions with representatives of a player on the basis that they’re currently plan B. If, more realistically, it was a small handful of names on paper, they might just not have panned out.
Tbh, as a plan B under current circumstances, I don’t think Cust or Drinkwater are that bad. I agree Cust [iand[/i Drinkwater would be odd.

Abdull-Cust-Smith-Charles (Champ loan with recall option, if possible, for the last) isn’t bad for a recovery position year.

Although it might not help with season ticket sales, a lot the improvement will come from fitness and boring wrestle-in-the-ruck training sessions without a ball in sight. Recruitment can’t be as bad as last year, but a lot of the turnover is to wash away the bad taste and reset the culture as much as it is about adding quality.