Will be interesting this one. On the face of it, all things being even, you'd think he'd stay at Saints given their current preminent position in the game, but in order to keep that side together they are going to have to upgrade a lot of young players contracts. If we are ruthless with our off contract players which should have plenty to spend.
I agree we should have cap space not sue how much Saints have.Lets hope he lives this side of the Pennines and is fed up with the journey.
Would be a statement of intent. Being able to pinch a starting player from Saints would be a show of what we want to do next year. He has real aggression and can play too. With him being Leeds-born we actually have a chance.
Maybe Tom Johnson will see sense and follow, if he wants a career anyone will remember.
I could see Bentley becoming a Gaz Ellis type signing if it came off.
In terms of salary, it amazes me that this saints team stays under the cap, and fair play to them if they do. But still, I would far rather spend a bit more money on a Bentley than keep on average Martin and unfit Hurrell.
Would be a statement of intent. Being able to pinch a starting player from Saints would be a show of what we want to do next year. He has real aggression and can play too. With him being Leeds-born we actually have a chance.
Maybe Tom Johnson will see sense and follow, if he wants a career anyone will remember.
I could see Bentley becoming a Gaz Ellis type signing if it came off.
In terms of salary, it amazes me that this saints team stays under the cap, and fair play to them if they do. But still, I would far rather spend a bit more money on a Bentley than keep on average Martin and unfit Hurrell.
Re your point about the cap I would say that Saints development and recruitment of young players has been far better than ours over the last five or six years. Clubs tend to pay young players less so you get far more "bang for your buck" in terms of cap. Downside to that is that eventually you have to start paying them what they are worth, and if you don't you lose them. We seem to be doing a lot better with our young ones now so maybe we are poised for some good years.
I agree we should have cap space not sue how much Saints have.Lets hope he lives this side of the Pennines and is fed up with the journey.
Saints have Coote, Naiqama, Fages, Bentley, Amor, LMS and Batchelor off contract (+kids). I can see us re/signing a fullback/centre - with Welsby stepping up into the starting 17, and Simm stepping up to cover the back 5, either Fages stays or we sign a halfback (or Dodd gets the role which ... would be very early for him), and one of Amor/ LMS stays or we sign another prop, with Norman/Wingfield stepping up and playing the 18th man role. All in all it should be, worst case, 3 in 5 out for us.
I definitely want Bentley to stay, but he’s not a Gaz Ellis finished article by any stretch yet. He is excellent in defence, and a wind up merchant which we have been missing for a couple of years, but he’s pretty limited in attack and doesn’t have Batemans line running (yet). He also topped the league for penalties and errors before his injury. I certainly wouldn’t want to get into a crazy bidding war, but he is a good player.
Saints have Coote, Naiqama, Fages, Bentley, Amor, LMS and Batchelor off contract (+kids). I can see us re/signing a fullback/centre - with Welsby stepping up into the starting 17, and Simm stepping up to cover the back 5, either Fages stays or we sign a halfback (or Dodd gets the role which ... would be very early for him), and one of Amor/ LMS stays or we sign another prop, with Norman/Wingfield stepping up and playing the 18th man role. All in all it should be, worst case, 3 in 5 out for us.
I definitely want Bentley to stay, but he’s not a Gaz Ellis finished article by any stretch yet. He is excellent in defence, and a wind up merchant which we have been missing for a couple of years, but he’s pretty limited in attack and doesn’t have Batemans line running (yet). He also topped the league for penalties and errors before his injury. I certainly wouldn’t want to get into a crazy bidding war, but he is a good player.
Good balanced insight that bud thanks for that. Interesting to see where this goes. Clearly a good player who’s going to get better
Saints have Coote, Naiqama, Fages, Bentley, Amor, LMS and Batchelor off contract (+kids). I can see us re/signing a fullback/centre - with Welsby stepping up into the starting 17, and Simm stepping up to cover the back 5, either Fages stays or we sign a halfback (or Dodd gets the role which ... would be very early for him), and one of Amor/ LMS stays or we sign another prop, with Norman/Wingfield stepping up and playing the 18th man role. All in all it should be, worst case, 3 in 5 out for us.
I definitely want Bentley to stay, but he’s not a Gaz Ellis finished article by any stretch yet. He is excellent in defence, and a wind up merchant which we have been missing for a couple of years, but he’s pretty limited in attack and doesn’t have Batemans line running (yet). He also topped the league for penalties and errors before his injury. I certainly wouldn’t want to get into a crazy bidding war, but he is a good player.
Strong defence but limited attack, sounds quite like most of our back row to be honest. I think we need some impact
Incredible how we are getting excited about signing a project player like Bentley. Shows how meagre the pickings have been for us over last few years...... I'd rather sign a quality winger and give Walters/A Sutcliffe more of a go there....
Would be a statement of intent. Being able to pinch a starting player from Saints would be a show of what we want to do next year. He has real aggression and can play too. With him being Leeds-born we actually have a chance.
Maybe Tom Johnson will see sense and follow, if he wants a career anyone will remember.
I could see Bentley becoming a Gaz Ellis type signing if it came off.
In terms of salary, it amazes me that this saints team stays under the cap, and fair play to them if they do. But still, I would far rather spend a bit more money on a Bentley than keep on average Martin and unfit Hurrell.
To compare Bentley to Ellis, or Bateman for that matter is laughable....