[quote="B0NES":1munaj88]Disappointing if we don't pick anyone up from Salfords January sale .[/quote:1munaj88] It may be that nobody does. Seeing a few Salford fans on twitter seemingly quite confident that good news is due within the next few days. No idea if it's based on and truth or just hope, and they're all rather cryptic about it all. They may not yet even sell a single player if the takeover/investment has come to fruition.

[quote="Irregs#16":1erdk0o8]Cross deal off. He didn't turn up for the meeting[/quote:1erdk0o8] As I said above, I won't lose any sleep. Centre is a problem though. I'm willing to give everyone a clean slate and just see what happens, but if I'm honest I'm not expecting Chamberlain to offer very much, and expect Hardaker to be solid but unspectacular. I think the one player in our squad who could potentially give us some real x factor at centre is Litten, and even he is coming off a big injury and isn't experienced in the position. I have heard it mentioned in a few places that Rapana is being considered at centre. Moy has blown everyone away in pre season by all accounts and I think they want to get him involved as much as possible.

[quote="Mr. Zucchini Head":du5ahrfp]As I said above, I won't lose any sleep. Centre is a problem though. I'm willing to give everyone a clean slate and just see what happens, but if I'm honest I'm not expecting Chamberlain to offer very much, and expect Hardaker to be solid but unspectacular. I think the one player in our squad who could potentially give us some real x factor at centre is Litten, and even he is coming off a big injury and isn't experienced in the position. I have heard it mentioned in a few places that Rapana is being considered at centre. Moy has blown everyone away in pre season by all accounts and I think they want to get him involved as much as possible.[/quote:du5ahrfp] My hope would be we see Rapana in the centres by end of the season with Moy at full back. Just don’t see anything in Litten at all to think he’d be a success there in attack or defence. Not sure how Westerman has done pre season but seemed highly rated.

Is there anyone of note worth a look in the championship as a low risk pickup at either centre or half back? Can't say I've seen too much of the championship over the last couple of years, or could we have a look at someone like Ryan Hampshire (unlikely and unsure if he's better than some of the young lads) as a sort of experienced squad cover.

[quote="Yippee try yay":3ohmyb75]Is there anyone of note worth a look in the championship as a low risk pickup at either centre or half back? Can't say I've seen too much of the championship over the last couple of years, or could we have a look at someone like Ryan Hampshire (unlikely and unsure if he's better than some of the young lads) as a sort of experienced squad cover.[/quote:3ohmyb75] What's that Morgan Smith fella up to at Sheffield

[quote="FC Callum":3spxorrg]My hope would be we see Rapana in the centres by end of the season with Moy at full back. Just don’t see anything in Litten at all to think he’d be a success there in attack or defence. Not sure how Westerman has done pre season but seemed highly rated.[/quote:3spxorrg] I agree with that centre is a huge problem for us If we had a pack that could get on top of teams it becomes less of a problem but the lack of strike and pace in such an important position is alarming. Po pooed when i said Chamberlain would be a starting centre but is look odds on now he will.

[quote="bonaire":3rzyngv9]I agree with that centre is a huge problem for us If we had a pack that could get on top of teams it becomes less of a problem but the lack of strike and pace in such an important position is alarming. Po pooed when i said Chamberlain would be a starting centre but is look odds on now he will.[/quote:3rzyngv9] Of all the signings we have made this year Chamberlain is the most underwhelming. I just don't see what he offers. He served a purpose as a stop gap loan signing, but now we are stuck with a very average player on a pretty long contract. I know you aren't a Hardaker fan either, but at least you can point to his experience and competitive nature. What does Chamberlain bring to the table?

[quote="FC Callum":2tz8tc6m]My hope would be we see Rapana in the centres by end of the season with Moy at full back. Just don’t see anything in Litten at all to think he’d be a success there in attack or defence. Not sure how Westerman has done pre season but seemed highly rated.[/quote:2tz8tc6m] You say that about litten. I was quite critical of him if I'm honest. However watch the Rovers match last year. Second game at KC. He came on played 40 minutes and made 160m.

[quote="Mr. Zucchini Head":3ctd40ti]Of all the signings we have made this year Chamberlain is the most underwhelming. I just don't see what he offers. He served a purpose as a stop gap loan signing, but now we are stuck with a very average player on a pretty long contract. I know you aren't a Hardaker fan either, but at least you can point to his experience and competitive nature. What does Chamberlain bring to the table?[/quote:3ctd40ti] I thought that when we announced the signing but in hindsight had we not signed him we’d be going into the season with either a completely untried and likely not ready Westerman as first choice centre or moving Briscoe that would leave us short on wing cover/competition. I’m all for aiming high and being ambitious but maybe they anticipated how hard a sell it would be and had to just get players in who were willing to join. If we are looking for positives in a well coached team he’ll be solid and can cover a few positions, he’s played centre/wing/backrow in SL, but let’s not kid ourselves it’s not ideal.

https://www.totalrl.com/salford-red-dev ... this-week/ Salford update..... King is hopeful of a deal this week that would stop the sale of players. If that doesn't happen it sounds like we've got a 2 week period along with Wakey, Leigh and Cas to sign players before it's opened up to the rest of the league. This would include quota and cap dispensation for them.

https://www.totalrl.com/salford-red-dev ... this-week/ Salford update..... King is hopeful of a deal this week that would stop the sale of players. If that doesn't happen it sounds like we've got a 2 week period along with Wakey, Leigh and Cas to sign players before it's opened up to the rest of the league. This would include quota and cap dispensation for them.

[quote="mwindass":vh05jv54]https://www.totalrl.com/salford-red-devils-hoping-to-complete-takeover-deal-this-week/ Salford update..... King is hopeful of a deal this week that would stop the sale of players. If that doesn't happen it sounds like we've got a 2 week period along with Wakey, Leigh and Cas to sign players before it's opened up to the rest of the league. This would include quota and cap dispensation for them.[/quote:vh05jv54] Realistically though in this 2 weeks even if we agree a deal with Salford the players are either just going to not commit or like Cross just flat out refuse to meet us knowing that in 2 weeks Warrington etc are going to come in and they’ll have loads of offers maybe even a bidding war between clubs. As much as I think we need players in those positions we now know Cross and looks like Sneyd just don’t want the move, Shorrocks might still be an option but you’d think he’d likely also want to stay in the area. I’d just leave it if I was RM now, walk away and make offers for Macdonald, Marsters, Nikorima etc if and when the dispensations open up and at least bump the prices up for anyone else. It’s hard to tell with Salford but reading the noise in the past few days them not responding to other clubs for players I think they think they might have something sorted short term, how long it will last is anyone’s guess.

It's a right mess, can't blame Salford, as they are trying to keep their pla yers as long as possible, hoping for investment. And the players don't really want to leave. Like DSJ says, can't see how this two week window thing would work. .

[quote="Dave K."]It's a right mess, can't blame Salford, as they are trying to keep their pla yers as long as possible, hoping for investment. And the players don't really want to leave. Like DSJ says, can't see how this two week window thing would work. As you say Dave, it's all just a mess. Personally i think we as a club should just move on and keep our powder dry for throughout the season as something usually crops up.

[quote="Dave K.":34j4kmfc]It's a right mess, can't blame Salford, as they are trying to keep their pla yers as long as possible, hoping for investment. And the players don't really want to leave. Like DSJ says, can't see how this two week window thing would work. .[/quote:34j4kmfc] Fair play if Salford are confident they don’t need to sell absolutely anyone and can get a takeover done in 2 weeks this will work out great for them. On the flip side they’ll not be able move anyone on in this 2 weeks, but once the dispensations are granted it’s open season and they lose everyone. I hope they get a buyer and end all this nonsense, it’s going to be farce if they don’t.

They are just buying time as I said when all this started. The RL is a toothless Tiger we all know that and they have no real control over the Clubs at all, the owners dictate what is happening and Salford have just been buying time and hoping that their new investment comes through. Good for the fans of Salford but more worrying is the bigger picture where we see just about every Super league Club running at a loss (some in a phenomenal amount of debt) and once Salford get sorted every one of our elite division will be dependant on hand outs from their owners to keep going. Whilst London just relegated were on the cusp of extinction only to be saved by NRL investment. That's the real issue with our game, we don't generate enough income and are therefore as a sport living above our means and that can only go on for so long the current model ia in the long term unsustainable. I hoped that IMG would be the answer but that's proving to be all smoke and mirrors with the clubs only doing what is best for them and not the game in general. You can't blame the clubs for running things its their money that's keeping the game going but its about time radicle solutions were sort and that will only happen if the RL grow some.

[quote="DSJ1983":1su4ftue]Realistically though in this 2 weeks even if we agree a deal with Salford the players are either just going to not commit or like Cross just flat out refuse to meet us knowing that in 2 weeks Warrington etc are going to come in and they’ll have loads of offers maybe even a bidding war between clubs. As much as I think we need players in those positions we now know Cross and looks like Sneyd just don’t want the move, Shorrocks might still be an option but you’d think he’d likely also want to stay in the area. I’d just leave it if I was RM now, walk away and make offers for Macdonald, Marsters, Nikorima etc if and when the dispensations open up and at least bump the prices up for anyone else. It’s hard to tell with Salford but reading the noise in the past few days them not responding to other clubs for players I think they think they might have something sorted short term, how long it will last is anyone’s guess.[/quote:1su4ftue] For my thinking if there's truth in that Cross just didn't bother to turn up then as much as he'd have improved us somewhat, we want players than want to be at the club for the right reasons. Whilst I appreciate Salford will want as long as possible to try to resolve this, time is moving on rapidly and action should have been taken weeks ago, instead its allowed to continue becoming more critical with no apparent contingencies in place only faint hope, all Salford have done is buy time. Allowing this circus to continue is just a crazy situation to be in as a sport. Salford, the RFL and IMG have quite honestly made a mockery of the sport with this situation. I don't wish bad on Salford as the sport needs as many pro clubs as possible but they need to face sufficient serious punishment and sanctions including a pts deduction. I hope that the RFL do not go down the road in allowing any dispensations as this will just remove just about any & all integrity of the 2025 league. At a time when the sport really needed to get its act together it has once again done the opposite and I think serious questions need to be asked about the suitability of the RFL & IMG to deliver what is required both short and long term for the future of the game here. It needed serious investment in the sport and a root & branch overhaul of everyone and every aspect of the RFL, not some box ticking gurus as that is ultimately and evidently just papering over cracks.

Doesn't matter if he isn't ready to sign for us, but he should have the manners to turn up for a meeting and explain that face to face, if it's true that is. If quota dispensations come in, I'd target one of the three overseas centres they have.

[quote="Dave K.":7pd256vl]Doesn't matter if he isn't ready to sign for us, but he should have the manners to turn up for a meeting and explain that face to face, if it's true that is. If quota dispensations come in, I'd target one of the three overseas centres they have.[/quote:7pd256vl] I do get this view and I do agree it doesn't show Cross in a good light, however if his employer has told him not to attend a meeting then his hands are tied. Just sounds a mess at the moment, the goalposts seems to be constantly changing, I understand they want to give Salford all the time possible but there has to come a point where a deadline is set in stone no ifs or buts.

[quote="HU8HFC":16toavhg]I do get this view and I do agree it doesn't show Cross in a good light, however if his employer has told him not to attend a meeting then his hands are tied. Just sounds a mess at the moment, the goalposts seems to be constantly changing, I understand they want to give Salford all the time possible but there has to come a point where a deadline is set in stone no ifs or buts.[/quote:16toavhg] Yeah that's a fair point, although I'd be suprised if we didn't ask Salford permission.

[quote="Dave K.":1w8sn4c1]Doesn't matter if he isn't ready to sign for us, but he should have the manners to turn up for a meeting and explain that face to face, if it's true that is. [quote:1w8sn4c1]If quota dispensations come in, I'd target one of the three overseas centres they have[/quote:1w8sn4c1].[/quote:1w8sn4c1] I'd be disappointed if we do not sign one. It looks like there's going to be an auction for McDonald and with our new investment we should be part of it. We are probably unlikely to sign him but I'd like us to show some intent failing that Lafai or Marsters would be a good capture.

What about Ryan Hampshire on a one year contract for cover?

Said it before but what an absolute mess. I have no sympathy for those in charge at Salford but I do hope for the sake of the fans and the staff that they get the investment that they need to keep going but this should have been picked up on during the whole IMG grading and if I was Toulouse, I would be fuming. It might have actually worked out better for Salford if they had been forced to dropped down to the Championship as it would have perhaps forced them to get their house in order financially. As much as I hate what has happened to us over recent years, at least we still have a club and Adam Pearson did what he felt was best to make sure that was the case. Salford's ownership have been completely reckless in my opinion and to be about a month away from the season starting and to have this much uncertainty over a club is unforgivable. Is there really investment on the cards for Salford or are they just pulling off more smoke and mirror tricks? Do the RFL have the courage to actually force a deadline on Salford for sales for their own good? If the clubs voted down the exemptions last week to the cap and quota to help Salford, why is there further talks been had again so soon? It just feels like everything is going around in circles with no one willing to take affirmative action. Really not a good look for the sport.

[quote="DSJ1983":e8h2fhsw]Think the reason why they changed the quota system was to stop this loophole. It’s hard to keep up so not 100% sure but as far as I’m aware playing for England or not he’d still be a quota player. He’s not fed trained and wouldn’t qualify on residency either.[/quote:e8h2fhsw] Another ridiculous scenario for the game then, he's played 4 times for Great Britain! I didn't agree with him and Austin getting capped but it was allowed to happen.

[quote="Dave K.":3o9xh3e4]What about Ryan Hampshire on a one year contract for cover?[/quote:3o9xh3e4] He's worth a one year contract. Can cover multiple positions

[quote="Roam Ranger":14gf7qhi]Said it before but what an absolute mess. I have no sympathy for those in charge at Salford but I do hope for the sake of the fans and the staff that they get the investment that they need to keep going but this should have been picked up on during the whole IMG grading and if I was Toulouse, I would be fuming. It might have actually worked out better for Salford if they had been forced to dropped down to the Championship as it would have perhaps forced them to get their house in order financially. [b:14gf7qhi]As much as I hate what has happened to us over recent years, at least we still have a club and Adam Pearson did what he felt was best to make sure that was the case.[/b:14gf7qhi] Salford's ownership have been completely reckless in my opinion and to be about a month away from the season starting and to have this much uncertainty over a club is unforgivable. Is there really investment on the cards for Salford or are they just pulling off more smoke and mirror tricks? Do the RFL have the courage to actually force a deadline on Salford for sales for their own good? [b:14gf7qhi]If the clubs voted down the exemptions last week to the cap and quota to help Salford, why is there further talks been had again so soon? It just feels like everything is going around in circles with no one willing to take affirmative action.[/b:14gf7qhi] Really not a good look for the sport.[/quote:14gf7qhi] All valid points and in particular the ones highlighted. Firstly AP may have made a few mistakes but to his credit he ensured as owner and custodian of Hull FC a future for the club by cutting costs that he needed, whilst it hasn't been pretty the club remains and has now hopefully got a very bright under the new owners. Secondly as you say, how many decisions have to be made before a deadline is given and action actually taken. All these decisions so far have just been a total waste and pointless if they are then revisiting the self same situation in a weeks time. All it's doing is biding time and drawing the whole sorry saga on, the nettle needs to be grasped and action taken without any further delays which have been based purely on hope rather than cast iron guarantees.