Problem we have with this Ellis signing is David Howes, he is a rank Red and white. Doubt he will be trying to persuade Ellis to sign for us.

Don't like that idea much. Moa gives us some impact, Tickle is more of a grafter. If Sam goes, we need a like for like replacement.

IMO Ellis would obviously be a very good signing individually, as well as a very strong signal of intent, but I would wonder what sort of an impact it would have on our other recruitment/retentions. At this stage I'd like to see the following sort of recruitment:

O'Meley, Manu and Whiting retained.
Sharp retained if he continues as he is, if not a replacement should only cost similar, we don't need a big name.
Martin and Turner out, new centre in (unless Turner's defence improves significantly during the season).
Someone like Paul Johnson to replace Moa, presuming he goes home.

I would have thought that overall that would be a similar wage cost (if not an increase), so it would leave Aspinwall & Burnett's wage + the £60k to sign Ellis (which I'm not convinced would be enough), and arguably still leaves us a prop short depending upon Tickle, Bowden or Green. It's a big decision IMO.

Never realised gentle came through him, fingers crossed then!!

erm like at Saints you mean ??

So we should offer him a new contract based on that one game then?

If he keeps it up, fine, that's exactly what I was getting at, but at this stage the balance of his performances have been below the standard of what we need.

disagree, i think he has gone into this season looking decent , worked hard and looked the part, clearly from his inclusion PG agrees with me

Er, I think his inclusion only came about because of injuries.

oh there was me thinking we used a squad in todays modern RL,

and his inclusion in that match ....did he justify it in your opinion ????

In the game immediately going into the season he looked as inept in defence as he ever has, our only weakness against Bradford. As Rock God says, he has only since got in due to injuries, so clearly he is currently down Gentle's pecking order.

Players have to play for there place. The fact that he took his chance proves that Gentles system is working. If he keeps playing well it should be Yeaman who has to earn his place back.