I too worry about the pack, so think if cartwright & Chamberlain finish the game, plus the two banned aren't plus the 2 Wigan loanees are available we are a lot closer. Hooker still a big worry - we started this year with Nu Brown, Houghton, Smith & Balmforth. Currently looking like Burough & Bamforth next year ?

I think Cust ( if fit ) will be starting in the halves.

Our youth have never physically developed like the Wigan boys - must be something in the water over there ?i

Wakefield announcing a signing at 7pm this evening. A coincidence that HDM have unofficially confirmed that Trueman is leaving?

Bloody big risk if it is Trueman…..we know how injury prone he is

Find it bizarre that another club would offer Trueman another long term deal.

Trueman officially gone and the club have leaked out that we’re not in for Asi (I’m guessing another SL club have offered him better money) and that we’ve cooled our search for a halfback. I don’t know if we can read too much into that, but in a long time of supporting the club I’ve never known them make defeatist noises about lack of quality available and then suddenly pull something out of the blue. If they’re briefing the media about ‘taking stock of options’ I’m inclined to believe them that they’ve got absolutely nothing lined up.

Same article talks about looking at the domestic market.

Saints announce signing of Kyle Feldt.

Step forward JC with a couple of rabbits out of the bag........................please ?

You could've said the same about Tom Johnstone when he signed for Catalan, quality player but troubled by injuries at Wakey, good S&C made the difference at Catalan. Maybe Trueman at Wakey (who I imagine now have a better S&C team with their recent investment) will get more out of Trueman than us with our threadbare conditioning team did

It's hard to say for certain, if they have got a signing done or nearly done it would make sense to keep it unannounced for a month before the 'roll up roll up, stay faithful' pass letters come out. We've still got 3 home games to suffer through yet!

Not sure who in the domestic market is available unless we pay a fee.

However Drinkwater is. Guarantee it's gunna be him

In the clubs defence he literally limped off live on SKY for Cas the night he was announced so he was damaged goods on the way in.

I can understand them making a high profile signing and not announcing it until pass time, it’s obvious why they’d want to do that most clubs do it.

I just don’t see any logic or anything to gain from the club putting stories out about us looking at targets from the Queensland and NSW cups or the domestic market (Drinkwater) if they were actually confident of making a more high profile signing. I’m pretty sure if they’ve put that story out it will be true and trying to manage expectations when the high profile signings don’t happen.

Well the pressure is now well and truly on to find a half to replace Jake. Asi not been considered. They either have something up their sleeve or we currently have nothing, knowing this basket case of a club it could well be the latter

We all know we don't have anyone signed or any real target. We'll probably end up signing a hooker and going with abdul and cust in the halves

My last hope is Cartwright Snr knows a player or two who are off the radar. He's worked with several clubs and NSW his contact list must be big we cant just be relying on Myler for leads

I’ve said from the off I’ve never ever known a club sign a load of senior experienced players like this on 2 and 3 year deals as ‘squad players’ or ‘back ups’ it just doesn’t happen like that. The players signed have been signed as first choice to play. If anyone thinks we’ve just brought in some good pro’s to fill out the squad before bringing in some better players in the same positions I’ve got some magic beans to sell to sell them.

The only thing that I will say is that Cust could be a better player then what he’s shown over here so far. He was highly rated in Australia and seemed a coup for Wigan just a couple of years ago. I think he’s struggled a bit mostly because of the injuries he’s had, but it’s a risk to just assume that he can get over these issues.