Not even sure how anyone would quantify "best" players in our squad anyway. The way I look at it is who would be the most difficult to replace like for like and for me Manu is way ahead at the top of that list.

I tend to look at who contributes the most to the overall team performance. That's why I rate Tickle just as highly as Manu - does a tremendous job in both attack and defence for 80 minutes and still kicks goals from anywhere on the pitch. IMO he'd be just as difficult to replace like-for-like.

Tickle also falls into that bracket I agree but the thing that marks him out above others is his goal kicking. We could replace the goal kicking elsewhere and get another 2nd Rower of similar ability in the other aspects of his game. Manu is just a freak and almost impossible to replace. Don't get me wrong Tickle is actually my "favourite" player but Manu is a one off, hence why so many clubs want to sign him.

Saints seem to be quite clever when coming to contract offers for over 30s: Long's contract offer was clearly the right decision by our management.

Same can't be said for Pryce......although he didn't like Simmons (apparently).

I can't see us offering him more than 2yrs really for Manu.

Not really, Carvell took a while to decide, signed and decided he wanted to leave the next day. Manu is taking a while to decide, we could be missing out on signings now!

Like many others, I would really love to see Manu stay, but if he goes he goes.

Many other teams have been far more successful than us, without a Manu in their team, and with AP, PG, SM, running the show, I am sure whether Manu stays or goes, we will push on towards success.

Manu is 32 and been one of our most consistant performers without a doubt but if he wishes to leave then so be it, no man is bigger then Hull Fc.

He hasn't got many years left in him but deserves his contract but he will leave at some point via retiring but ideally the club don't want to be messed about as the longer it drags on the less likely we are going to find a replacement if he does decide to seek pastures new.

My take on things:

We signed one of the best back rowers in the world in Ellis. Everyone was after him, we got him. Manu has been one of best players for the past few years, coming the twilight of his career he wants a big deal and some silverwear. By all accounts we want to keep him, and so do I without a shadow of a doubt, but Ellis is pure quality and offers more then just a 'workhorse' like Tickle.

Keep him - Great. He's a game changer and a fans fave. Lose him - We tried what we could, we still got Ellis.

This is an excellent point. It would be great if he stayed, but it's not the end of the world if he leaves.

Looks like Bomber's had enough of being ed about... www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/17745027

Looks like Bomber's had enough of being ed about... www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/17745027

Anyone else think that one of the reasons Manu may be stalling could be down to us signing Gareth Ellis? It'll be a concern to him as he may lose his starting spot and will probably see less minutes.


From my pov Manu is a great player and offers something that nobody else in our squad does. Having him, Tickle, Ellis, Westerman and Whiting would be a fantastic back row, probably the best in the league. However, if we did lose him then it wouldn't be the end of the world. We would still have Ellis, Tickle, Westerman and Whiting, as well as Liam Kent for cover who is looking good (and the possibility of Aspinwall getting an extension if Manu leaves).
If Manu leaves then it would be a blow, obviously, but it wouldn't leave a gaping hole in the side. We'd be able to get over it. But if Manu did leave then it would free up a decent size of the salary cap for other positions that more urgently need addressing, such as Prop, Centre, Halfback and possibly Fullback depending on these McKinnon rumours. Manu is also 32 now, 33 at the start of next season, so we shouldn't be tying him down to a long-term deal.

tl;dr It'd be great if he stayed (on realistic terms) but it wouldn't be the end of the world if he left, we'd get over it.

Cant be any more honest with his reply about Manu If he stays great if not move on

Surely though, thinking logically, if Manu does get spelled a bit more next season, then his career could be prolonged by doing slightly less minutes, which would eventually earn him more money anyway?