Ive just been looking through your 2009 squad list and with the likes of Fozzy, Aizue and Gene moving on who have you replaced them with as i cant remember any news coming out of Craven park about any new signings.

If your current squad went into 2010 season what would you predictions be ??

We're 2/3 players short of achieving what we did this year.

O/T: how are Wire ticket sales going?
I only ask because I've had 3 emails offering me the chance to buy one!

on the VT is a thread about every sides in and outs.

we've signed young lads on for the future, matt cook has replaced stan, mike ratu (Leeds) and josh Hodgson (Hull) will take fitzhenry's roles and as yet we haven't replaced the props though morgan says he has is eye on 5 or 6 players for 1 or 2 of those places.

with a prop or 2 to come I'd still expect to be top 6 next year at least, hopefully top 4 depending on who we sign and a good cup run like you lads had (been knocked out in the quarters the last 2 years by the winners

We are just trying to work out how to get our proposed new signings and our current squad under the salary cap. Have u got any ideas/tips ??

With Rhys and Vella starting props and Wheeldon plus one signing being the replacements and Netherton/Mills/Watts as the back up. Dont also forget that with Cook coming in we can push Newton to prop when needed to give us that guidance and experience in the middle.

I do however think Justin will sign a new prop that is much better off the bench than anything we currently have. There must be money in the pot for this with the players that have just left.

Ratu is possibly Jake Websters replacement for the future years with Hodgson depending on his first year being Fishers replacement with an experienced hooker coming in over the next year or two.

Dont forget also we have some academy players coming through of our own that are looking promising.

As much as I'd like to sign various players I dont think we'll over spend and blow our long term future in the top flight, I wouldnt mind finishing 6th next year as long as it was for the greater good of our future progression.

I think we need 2 out-and-out props to replace Fozz and Maka if we want to finish anywhere in the top six. None of this utility lark, we need some specialists.

i do agree we need some biff up front, but to be fair we finished 4th with not that much impact from them two players over the season

we will only be on the fringe of the top eight unless we sign at least one, but ideally two, powerful props. Anyone who thinks we will do any better with our current front row is kidding themselves.

I think people are far too harsh on our current crop of front rowers.
We finished 4th despite Fozzard being by and large a let down, Vella missing half the season injured and playing the other half clearly unfit and Lovegrove missing a chunk of the season injured.
With Watts returning to the club next season we will start at present with a front row panel of Vella, Wheeldon, Lovegrove, Netherton and Watts.
Im not saying that we dont need another prop but it is hardly wrist slitting time at the minute and i certainly dont see it as a reason for us to slip down the table.

Would be a waste of a top quality 2nd rower.

I agree though TBF Rovers have been linked to a number of props who would bring the aggression you are missing at prop.

Maybe a scout at the Pacific cup would be worthwhile. Plenty of raw aggression on sight there I reckon!