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.

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.

Being completely ruthless:

Need replacing in the squad:
Crookes
Yeaman
Horne
Pitts
Kent
Carvell

Need replacing as first 17 players, but fine squad members:
Green
Whiting (on this year’s form, warrants time to command his place back)
Watts

Need to improve quickly or should find themselves in the first category:
Crooks
Miller
Tuson (bordering on 2nd category for him, though, not 1st)
Arundel
Rankin

Houghton is a separate case of his own. Needs to improve his distribution (as he always has done), but better organisation/halves would help him a lot.

This is also on the basis that McDonnell is gone.

Agree on Talanoa and Carvell. I've been impressed with Carvs when he's been on the pitch but he doesn't seem to have been on the pitch that often. And we have a lot of props. We could survive without him. Pitts and Kent should go. If Horne feels he has another year in him I can see him getting an extension simply because of his service to the club. Personally I would wait to see what our plans are with halfback recruitment before offering/releasing him. If we end up bringing in another young halfback then I would keep Horne on for his experience as back up. Like you, not sure about Azza. I like him a lot but with Cunningham returning Azza may be a luxury.

I can see us paying off Crookes but would be very surprised to see Yeamo paid off. I think Yeamo will be with us until he decides to call it a day and then he'll be given a role behind the scenes.

In my opinion, our best props have been the elder statesmen. Feka and Carv's have both been very impressive and look the most likely out of all of them to break a tackle. I was surprised to see them both miss out on games that they've both been fit for.

Plus these two also offload the ball which is what we need to do more as it breaks open a defence easier