I'd be interested to know who these people who think we should "get rid" of 8 or more players think should come in to replace them. They are just going to come running to us, presumably.

What stature would that be?

You might have missed it. I [ithink[/i James Rule might have mentioned once that we were an A grade licence club.

Think he means the potentiol this club has to be the biggest in S/L if we get a board and coach that know what they want.

Please don't encourage them - they'll only start a "Who should we sign thread."

Typo

I agree we have potential, but right now our stature ain't so great. We're rapidly losing all the kudos we gained with regular top 6 finishes and final appearances - prospective players are likely to focus on the current problems instead.

Until we get a high quality coach we will struggle to attract the calibre of player required IMO - regardless of how much cash we wave around. All clubs have the same cap available now, remember.

Do they....didnt know that.

nail on head

the only advantage we have with our clubs size is on things that don't count on the cap, such as coaching staff, yet we just don't bother to use that to our advantage.

Like Wigan did for Gleason? We have short arms and deep pockets when it comes to buying quality. It needs to change. Money will become available if Croker , Lauaki dont get here. If they do get here, then start culling players and dont say you cant other teams get rid of their surplus mid season like warrington, wigan, and we have a few under performers we could do without and injury plagued players who we can move on.

One of the 3 top grade franchises to be handed out

One of best supported clubs ( who gets better crowds than us? Leeds? who else?

Best stadium in rugby league

One of best youth development around, look at number of home grown players we have produced?

That sort of stature

Doesn't do us any good though does it.

All down to the clubs style of Rugby IMO.

First team play defensive no frills rugby hardly allowing young players the chance to express themselves.

When in Rome do what the Romans do. Thats exactly whats happening when young players move up to first team.

When young players break through at Saints or Leeds they look exciting.

I dont believe whole sale changes are required. Our form seems as though it is mainly down to a lack of ideas, coaching and confidence.

Assuming Crocker and Hame arrive here is what I would like to see.

I have left in contract expiry dates as this will play a big part in who leaves.


1 Motu Tony 2009 - Tough one. A fit Tony is a good player to have in your squad, Although I think there is more to his injury than the club are releasing. RELEASE

2 Mark Calderwood 2010. I am happy with his contribution so far and can only see him getting better. STAY

3 Todd Byrne 2009 - Already gone but that would have been my choice anyway.

4 Kirk Yeaman 2010 - STAY

5 Gareth Raynor 2010 - STAY

6 Richard Horne 2011 - STAY

7 Chris Thorman 2009 - Just not good enough for where we want to be as a club. Possible replacement for Tony at fullback but should be nowhere near the no 7 next year. RELEASE

8 Ewan Dowes 2010 - STAY

9 Shaun Berrigan 2011 Quota - STAY

10 Peter Cusack 2009 Quota - I really like Cusack but I dont feel as though we needf him Dowes and Radders. RELEASE

11 Lee Radford 2010 - One more year me thinks. STAY

12 Danny Tickle 2010 - STAY

13 Michael Crocker 2011 Quota - STAY if he gets here. Desperatly need his leadership qualities.

14 Richard Whiting 2009 - If he can make it through the rest of the season playing all games keep. If he gets another injury RELEASE, another Lupton situation.

15 Danny Washbrook 2011 - STAY

16 Willie Manu 2010 - STAY

17 Graeme Horne 2009 - Squad player. Deputises well on taking up little money on the cap. STAY

18 Jamie Thackray 2009 - At the minute STAY. But i would leave the decision on his contract till the end of season. If someone else is available of better quality he could make way.

19 Paul King 2010 - He will stay because of his contract but I would RELEASE

20 Danny Houghton 2010 - STAY

21 Tom Briscoe 2013 - STAY

22 Mike Burnett 2009 - STAY

23 Thomas Lee 2009 - STAY same reasons as G Horne

24 Craig Hall 2010 - STAY, but the jury is out.

25 Dominic Maloney 2009 - STAY, one year extension

26 Josh Hodgson - STAY

27 Sam Moa 2009 - Only one I am unsure on, maybe 1 year extension. Depends how he goes for rest of season and also who else is available.

28 Epalahame (Hame) Lauaki 2011 Quota - STAY

So I have it as Motu, Byrne, Thorman, Cusack all to go for certain. You could also possible add into that list Whiting, Thackray, Maloney and Moa depending on thier end of season performances.

Money from these releases should be used to find a 7 and a centre. The rest to fill the gaps left by the others.

This is why I cant see Horne and Lee moving on as to already have to replace 4 or possibly 8 players it is alot of upheaval. Wholesale changes I dont feel are the right way to go.

Tony
Thorman
Radford
King
Cusack
Moa
Byrne
Thackray... all can leave

G, Horne
Lee
Washbrook
Hall...All need to improve or ship out.

We need to start been ruthless in our player retention , To many Average/ utility players and not enough focus on specialist positions.