Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Sep 25, 2024 9:15 am  

ArthurClues wrote:

Not seen that, but if true it's a no brainer. In order to fill the gaps in the squad we are going to need to recruit a quality SL player. He fits that bill, and in the right position.

For all signings the question for us has fundamentally changed. Being better than what we have just isn't enough, and tbh not that difficult in many positions. Signings need to materially improve us, from day one. Not saying Byrne doesn't fit this bill, just that we need to significantly raise the bar in terms of quality we're looking for.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Sep 25, 2024 9:25 am  

YosemiteSam wrote:

For all signings the question for us has fundamentally changed. Being better than what we have just isn't enough, and tbh not that difficult in many positions. Signings need to materially improve us, from day one. Not saying Byrne doesn't fit this bill, just that we need to significantly raise the bar in terms of quality we're looking for.

Agree, but we can't fix the holes in the squad just from the NRL. That means an English player, and likely a prop or a second rower. There's not a lot to pick from, as everybody is desperate to keep their talent. If we signed a Byrne and then added extra quality in the quota spots we could improve significantly.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Sep 25, 2024 9:30 am  

ArthurClues wrote:

Agree, but we can't fix the holes in the squad just from the NRL. That means an English player, and likely a prop or a second rower. There's not a lot to pick from, as everybody is desperate to keep their talent. If we signed a Byrne and then added extra quality in the quota spots we could improve significantly.

Don't disagree at all. For me, every signing we make needs to give us that step change in quality. We have a good crop of juniors coming through so we don't need to make the sort of project type signing we've made in the very recent past.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Sep 25, 2024 9:44 am  

YosemiteSam wrote:

Don't disagree at all. For me, every signing we make needs to give us that step change in quality. We have a good crop of juniors coming through so we don't need to make the sort of project type signing we've made in the very recent past.

Can't afford anymore projects. I know Eseh had his fans on here, but I just don't see a quality prop there. Byrne on the other hand, is a good player. Wigan have loads of props, and they'll need to look at upping Nsemba's deal in order to fend off NRL interest. There could be something in it.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Sep 25, 2024 11:37 am  

Byrne should be playing more regularly and would be a good signing for any of the mid-table teams.
Depends if he wants the daily nightmare of the M62 or would rather avoid and stay closer to home at Leigh or Salford.
He would be a good addition for us, as long as we get a big NRL prop as well.
Goudemand and Sangare should be offloaded.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Sep 25, 2024 12:56 pm  

exiledrhino wrote:

Apparently Liam Byrne is being shopped around by Wigan. Would he be a good option as a solid, but not spectacular type front rower? Could replace Sangare and Goudemand in the pecking order.

If he's not enough for Wigan he's not good enough for us the guy is tough for sure but he's a penalty machine with it.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Sep 25, 2024 1:50 pm  

We're not talking about signing a bunch of cast offs. Just maybe one prop who is better than at least two of our current options, possibly three as I think we need to upgrade Lisone as soon as practical as well. We've also got Holroyd, who may or may not ever play a full season at a decent standard. I have no problem with signing an experienced SL prop as a squad player - far better than another Hudson or Warren.

Obviously its important that we seriously upgrade where we can. That has to be the quota players. Get them right and we'll improve a lot, get it wrong and we'll be mid table for a while yet. But we need better squad options as well.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Sep 25, 2024 6:25 pm  

RAPIDO wrote:

If he's not enough for Wigan he's not good enough for us the guy is tough for sure but he's a penalty machine with it.

Correct , we need to be matching Wigan not buying their 6th best prop

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Sep 25, 2024 6:51 pm  

ploinerrhino wrote:

Correct , we need to be matching Wigan not buying their 6th best prop

So which other English ( and available) props would you get? It's about building a squad that will compete with Wigan again. You do that by achieving a balance in your recruitment, a good solid pro here, two or three very good players there. Limiting ourselves to signing only the best players from the best sides in the comp is a science fiction scenario.
And BTW - who said he's their 6th best - he comes off the bench most every week.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Sep 25, 2024 7:51 pm  

Nsemba signed a new 6 year contract presumably a significant upgrade so Wigan may need to sell to ease cap pressure. Agree with Arthur in that a squad is the sum of its parts. Byrne may be down the pecking order at Wigan but on this year's form he's better than any of our props bar Oledski! Could do a job at Leeds in the way Harrison who we passed on has done at Wire