For me, it has to be someone vocal. Those 3 you mention don't come across as the vocal types.

They probably haven't given them a chance in that respect - look at Mick Vella.

The obvious candidate is homecoming boy Abdul but I don't think new players should immediately be made captain - they have to earn it.

I don’t put much weight on captaincy tbh.

However, depending on when he arrives, maybe SKD?

His record is bound to command respect and he got good reviews for mentoring young players at Newcastle, I think.

Time is Ticking now. Do we really think we can pull off a recognized well known Half back at this late stage?

I don't think there's any rush tbh we've enough to start the season see how we go

With the team we have assembled, its no wonder we are one of the favourites for relegation.

Squad coming along nicely, Tony Smith is being patient wanting the right half-back. Not sure who will make the best Captain, anything better than Tomkins. He couldn't commit to moving a few miles over the Penninies to Beverley but can quite happily drag his family to France. Or needs Sam to look after him?

With Tony Smith biding his time looking at halfbacks it got me thinking who might become available should they not feature much for their contracted side.

McLelland on loan from Leeds perhaps (Lui, Gale and currently Myler)
Atkin on loan (Brown and Lolohea). Appreciate that one is maybe highly unlikely

Any other British halfbacks that spring to mind that may be options if not getting game time outside of those already discussed?

The fact we was considering Jared sammut means they maybe thinking of moving somebody on ... and the fact we have turned down dec Patton means we are looking for a decent player higher up the market although I would of said Patton may have been a short term fix untill Lewis gets more game time... any rumours on any more players coming in I’d be happy if we got that young half from Leeds him and Lewis in a few seasons would be a great half back pairing

We do not know that Sammut was considered, only that HDM reporter understands that we had. They frequently get things wrong and even if they were right it might only be that his name was circulated. Non of our overseas players would be sacrificed for him.

Danny Brough