I'd like to see Talanoa play at centre before making a call but as it is Talanoa would lose out for the wing spot but as Lineham has only played 3 out of the last 17 games not sure how he'll comeback. Anyway you need quality replacements and he can cover every backline position.

And he'd also take a big wedge up if he was only here to cover the backline.

Dont see how getting rid of our most consistent player in the last few years will make us more consistent.

Houghton in a team with a dominant 7 would mean his weaknesses wouldn't be as big a deal. Having said that the teams that have had the most success over many years have generally included an intelligent acting half that the team is built around. It's such an important position especially without an organising half in there. If we can find the elusive 7 we want then maybe the fact that Houghton will be with us for ever needn't be the handicap it is now. As ever any criticism of Houghton I make is purely based on his ability and what we as a team need. His commitment to the cause and massive heart deserves nothing but respect.

Ok then we'll have Graham Horne and Will Sharp back they'll move us up to the next level won't they.

Will Sharp would be a perfectly adequate back up winger. As is Crookes tbh. It's a salary cap sport, you can't be paying guys 80k+ (because that's what BJB would command imo) to wam the bench every week. The successful teams spend money in the right areas and rely on quality youth to plug the gaps. I haven't seen much of Lancaster but I've heard good things, why not see what he's like first. We nearly made the same mistake with Lineham and were right on the verge of signing Youngquest instead of giving him a chance iirc.

We have a really good young squad developing imo, especially the pack. I think we need to stop signing 7 players every year and just allow them to grow a little. The two glaring areas are imo left centre, and half back. But Sa should solve one of those and Rankin and Miller are showing promising signs.

Shaul 21
Talanoa 26
Sa 26
Crooks 20
Lineham 22
Rankin 22
Miller 21
Paea 28
Houghton 25
Bowden 22
Hadley 21
Ellis 33
Westerman 24

Taylor 23
Green 24
Cunningham 20
Tuson 24

That's a potential first choice 17 for next year, with their current ages. It's a very young side, but there is a lot of quality there too. Let them grow.

If you think that all we need is Sa to take us to the next level then that's your opinion.

Personally if BJB did come to us I doubt he'd warm the bench and if he came for 80k I recon that would be a bargain.

Sounds like the HTW show for the 19s, think at the end of the year Horne will retire and HTW will step up.

Just like the post above. It's a salary cap sport. What is the point in having 80k or whatever sat on the bench each game or not even in the 17. Jason Crookes is fine as a back up player I doubt he'll be on much.

I'm not saying Sa is the answer to all our problems. What I'm saying is we have a young squad with lots of potential, and rather than chopping and changing every year and throwing money at past it stars we should just sit back a little bit and allow them to mature.

I get frustrated by our performances just like every one else, but I genuinely feel that we aren't a long way off being a top side. These kids will get better over the years and that is what will take us to the next level. Look at some of them this year compared to last. Shaul is developing into a really good well rounded full back, Bowden has become a bonafide Superleague level prop, Westerman is, imo, one of the best forwards in the league now. I just think it's time we followed the Wigan and Leeds model and gave them some time. Do that whilst adding one or two quality experienced signings each year and we will be okay.

And personally I think Talanoa brings more to the table that BJB. He's not the quickest, but if you're going tomorrow just watch the quality of his work when he carries the ball in. Always bosses the collision, finds his knees and elbows, and plays the ball with man left in the ruck. It's not something a lot of fans notice, but finding the floor on your terms is a huge part of modern rugby league. The more he carries the ball the quicker we roll forward.

Interested to know If your of the same opinion this week because personally I thought Wakefield highlighted how very average our backs are.(not being sarcy just genuinely interested.)

We should have been in Peter Wallaces ear when he came over for the World Cup with Scotland.