I agree, seems a pointless signing, unlikely to get a game, Houghton has plenty of years left and we have Litten coming through, have to trust Radders and co though.

Could be hughly beneficial to both clubs to loan a few players to them.

it wouldn't be so pointless if houghton gets a lengthy injury (and Litten could not be expected to carry the team's attack week in week out just yet), could end up being a very astute signing

With the Radford connection, and also with Pryce being back at Bradford now, I wouldn't be surprised if that's why O'Brien is supposedly heading our way, and I'd also imagine that loans between the two could happen.

Could work for the likes of Downs, Fash, Osborne, Matongo and Turgut to get some game time.

If that happens, but looking at Houghtons injury record that's unlikely, if he did get injured short term we could cope, long term, then you could make a signing on loan etc.

I just feel that he will spend most of the season if not all of it in the reserves or out on loan and taking up salary cap.

You could also same the same about Sneyd, we have not like for like back up for him.

I'd rather have Litten get game time otherwise what is the point of the academy if all we are going to do is sign other teams youngsters.
The last few seasons has been barren in terms of appearances for those coming up. people saying they aren't ready but can't ever know because they don't get any/much game time at the next level, meanwhile the likes of Wigan throw their youngsters in to cover senior players lost to short and long term injuries no problem.
We must have more faith in them or we'll lose them and be back to square one.

Totally agree, easily your best post.

What if o'brien is better than litten? If litten is good enough he'll come through. What if we'd never signed sneyd because he might have blocked the way for dean and tyson wilson? The club has to make decisions based on what they have now. I don't suppose they intended to sign a hooker but have (maybe) take an opportunity to acquire a highly regarded youngster. If we don't sign decent quality players we'd have the same group of people whinging about that too

100% this.

Lots of what ifs and it works both ways, personally I wouldn't sign him, but Radders is the boss and it's hard to argue with his recruitment. It looks like he has signed and I hope he turns out to be a useful signing.

I couldn't agree more.

What if tommy lee had turned out to be the best half back the city had ever produced, or reece dean, or HTW? The game is littered with promising kids who never make the grade and you can't build a club on potential. Even if he does come through, litten is at least 2, more likely 3 or 4 years off being ready for SL week in, week out. Houghton will get injured at some point and we'll be fighting to stay out of the middle 8's if we rely on washbrook and hadley as replacements

Things looking up ownership-wise at Bradford with rumours of new ownership by Wasps owner and players not already moved signed up; on that basis would look like O'Brien staying put.

But but, but, what a waste of space our club is for not signing him when we could

Suppose it's only a prospective deal at Bradford at the moment?
Can still see some more players leaving there.
Not averse to signing a hooker. We've been lucky Houghton has stayed fit for so long. Litten could be here long term, but isn't ready to step in week in week out just yet, should anything happen.

The players are all free agents as their former employer is no longer in existence. it will be down to personal choice if they decide to sign for a new co and obviously dependant on terms then an offer from them may be more attractive than one from us but I guess it depends on his loyalty and ambition and whether he's already signed a contract for us. Maybe we need to move some cap space on before we can register him?