Our 2nd row is too small and too weak. Both are decent back ups but no more than that. 2 beast type props as well. The rest will sort itself behind that with the half backs we've got.

I thought Donaldson was a strange signing. He gives you everything but he's not big enough for this level. We had a prop a few years ago called Paul Johnson who just wasn't big enough, he was fearless ran the ball in hard but got smashed. What's happened to Cox? 2 years ago he looked like he was going to develop into an international. He hasn't got a look in this season.

Props wise Walker is very good and will get better, Allgood is a quality player, Green's impressed me but Rovers fans don't seem to rate him that much. Once he got fit Puletua did a good job for you, is he worth keeping for another year? Tillse would be no big loss if the rumours are true. I've mentioned this on another thread but I'd seriously try and get another year out of Peacock.

How many quota places have you got left?

James Green has really improved this season in all facets of his game. Most on here rate him as very unlucky not to make the final matchday 17 for Wembley, which his current form and recent performances warranted. He's a definite keeper.

I rate Wigan loanee James Greenwood as a fine prospect. We should try and sign him up to a permanent deal.

Tilse needs to raise his game and effort if he stays on and sees out his contract, but we should let him go back to Oz as things stand and sign an upgrade.

We need a loose forward with size, pace and skill. Blair will be in the second row next year.

I think you need at least 3 new forwards and a Full back to get into the 8 next year, I know people wont agree with the FB one, but Dixon is far too inconsistent to be a top SL player. I look to release Tilse, and if Sio wants to go home, him and use their quota spots to sign two forwards. Look to the championship (or any SL club that doesn't come back up) for another forward. I'd make a move for either Hampshire of Ash Goulding on loan for a year.

New FB
JM
Thornley
Welham/Salter/Minns
Dixon/Cockanyn
Campese
Kelly
Walker
Lunt
Algood
New backower
New backrower
Blair

New prop
Bouboza (Spelling)
Layroyer
Green

Our second row is a priority for me. Horne is a squad player at best, larroyer has been awful all season apart from the semi final and as a previous poster said Donaldson is too small. Blair was good in the second row so hopefully he'll be able to move back there next season. As for Green it beggars belief that he wasn't in the Wembley 17, he's been one of our stand out props for me although he does need to improve on his work rate. Jordan Cox is a strange one, the kid looks good at times but Chester doesn't seem to rate him, again I think it's a work rate issue, he looked the business a couple of years ago but unfortunately he seems to have gone backwards, whether that's due to lack of opportunities I don't know.

As you say the FB is a contentious one, I'd persevere with Dixon but wouldn't blame CC for jumping and replacing him. I wouldn't have him on the wing though, too small.
The rest is pretty spot on, although I'd maybe go for another big prop as well.

Next year's squad:

Full Backs - Dixon / Ash Golding on loan / Cockayne. (Guzdek out for me, sorry)
Wing - Mantellato / Sio / Cockayne / Hallett
Centre - Minns / Thornley / Welham / Hallett. (Salter out for me, sorry)
Half Backs - Campese / Kelly / Marsh / Blair
Props - Walker / Green / Allgood / Puletua / Greenwood (loan or permanent deal) / New Signing (in place of Tilse)
Hooker - Lunt / Boudebza
Second Row - Larroyer / Blair / McCarthy / Ollett / New Signing. (Horne, Esslemont and Cox out for me, sorry)
Loose Forward - Donaldson / Puletua / Lawler / Holker / New Signing

So a new prop, a new second row, a new loose forward and a loan fullback and loan prop. Sorted

Since coming to Rovers Graeme Horne has been one of our most consistent players whilst also filling in in a variety of roles and positions he needs to be retained not let go

We have already made an important recruitment. Peacock as DoF should help steer the recruitment and general team decision making and add winning experience to the back room staff.

Another important signing would be a full time sports psychologist. Whilst a couple of players are a bit shakey at times, the whole club needs a shot in the arm to believe they can win. All top athletes are slightly arrogant and have complete and utter self belief. Just look at ManU, Leeds Rhinos, Wigan, Prince Naseem etc. Sure, they don't always win, but they always believe they can so never roll over.

Until we get that unshakable belief, work ethic and consistancy we can put thoughts of silverware on hold.

It's the front row for me that needs attention. We just don't have enough go forward or seem capable of controlling their equivalent numbers. Individually I don't have a problem with them, but collectively/pack they just haven't measured up enough.

A new full back has to be looked at, but for me we need to sign a/another leader. Campese aside, we're so lacking with on field leadership.

I don't think anyone is questioning that and as utility / cover value he should be retained but he really isn't good enough as a 1st choice second row.

McCarthy is a strange one, Vice Captain but in my opinion not really impressing, tries to play the enforcer role but not really up to it. He in my mind is one person who needs replacing, with someone who can break lines and offload. A person like that in our existing second/back row line up could flourish.

On top of that we do need another prop, but with Clarkson and Kirmond's names being bandied around is our recruitment all but done and dusted?

Clarkson & Kirmond, added to our already contracted back rowers, would condemn us to another season watching our pack get swatted weekly and see us back in the bottom 4 as quick as you can say wembleyhorrorshow.

When you get a few posters on the Wildcats forum saying Kirmond has been bang average for them the last 2 seasons you have to worry about our recruitment thought processes and objectives.

On a separate note, I have just summoned up the stomach and courage to watch our Wembley Horror Show 2015 on the i-player, while my darling wife treated herself to an hour of Emmerdale and an hour of Holby City.

Leeds played superbly and Ben Thaler had a good game.

If it's any consolation, we didn't look any better second time around. We were total cackamallabab. We had no gameplan and no onfield motivator and organiser. Tyke is not captaincy material, Chezzie, any more than Horne or Welham. Boudebza half decent. On current improvement and progress, French John will be our marquee player for 2017 come contract renewal.

Your front row isn't too bad and should be good enough to hold it's own against all but the top 2 or 3 sides but your back row is absolute garbage. This season, we haven't had anything much prop wise other than paea and watts but because ellis and mini have been so good the props have been fine.