Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:01 am  

M@islebugs wrote:

Nowhere near good enough to get into the top end of an 8 team play off.

Bates and Mellor are both teenagers with less than 10 games between them. Fleming, Davies and Offerdahl are wholly unproven at any level of the English game. Sidlow has had a poor season and Chev is an injury prone centre/second row who makes no impact at prop.

At the moment, we are assembling a squad that should be able to compete in the Championship to get into the middle 8 play off.

So far, it's not much different to the squad who were nowhere near good enough to challenge their Super League rivals this year. We have a few new boys who may be as good as the players that we have lost. All the talk of a SL return next year is a long shot at best. Hoping for a couple of new signings that will make me change my opinion.

Can't forget that we look to have a better coach in position though which will also improve our chances.

Loving all the positivity surrounding the club at the moment though. Makes a nice change.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:08 am  

I agree that that is the standard by which the team needs to be judged. Bates and Mellor are not part of the frontline team so count them out. Fleming has been tested in SL. Davies and Offerdahl have not but that works both ways. Ferres said at least 5 frontline props so theres as least one more to be announced. So I agree with your concerns but I believe that you have overstated your case.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:11 am  

Purtell for captain?

most experienced player and when he plays will do 80 mins at centre, does Gaskell need the extra pressure?

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:08 am  

M@islebugs wrote:

Nowhere near good enough to get into the top end of an 8 team play off.

Bates and Mellor are both teenagers with less than 10 games between them. Fleming, Davies and Offerdahl are wholly unproven at any level of the English game. Sidlow has had a poor season and Chev is an injury prone centre/second row who makes no impact at prop.

Agree about Davies, but Flemming has spent most of the last 2 years on dual reg and loan in the championship, and Offerdahl started the season at crusaders before going home so I think both are well equipped to cope with the division for us. Very split decision but I am one of the ones who would be happy with Richard Moore signing, and old head who wont take a backward step and also has a great offload game.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:35 am  

I'm not knocking Fleming, Offerdhal or Davies. They're exciting projects with the tools to be a success with a decent coach. I also like Bates. My point is when you are talking about players who can 'cover' you are an injury and a suspension away from travelling to the KC or Salford with a front row of
Fleming - O'Brien - Offerdhal with Chev and Bates on the bench.

That wouldn't be remotely competitive. As has been mentioned add in a Moore plus one other and it's a different story.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:47 am  

hindle xiii wrote: Well now I'm confused! Loverugbyleague quota link (At least I can work out how to link properly!) So either the quota isn't 5, someone is exempt or someone has changed their mind. Anyhoo, as for Purtell, I dunno, I'm a little disappointed tbh. Suspect quota situation next year is exactly same as this year and RFL have confused matters by referring to five overseas players. Situation this year is five overseas and seven nonfed trained with players counting on one or both of the lists. Other option is someone announced isn't now coming eg. Offerdahl failing to get visa.

hindle xiii wrote: Well now I'm confused! Loverugbyleague quota link (At least I can work out how to link properly!) So either the quota isn't 5, someone is exempt or someone has changed their mind. Anyhoo, as for Purtell, I dunno, I'm a little disappointed tbh. Suspect quota situation next year is exactly same as this year and RFL have confused matters by referring to five overseas players. Situation this year is five overseas and seven nonfed trained with players counting on one or both of the lists. Other option is someone announced isn't now coming eg. Offerdahl failing to get visa.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:14 am  

I did ask the Bulls what the quota was for overseas and Nonfeds to ensure that we did not waste our time, but no response. 5 overseas and 7 non feds gets Etu in as Kolpak and non fed. if it is 7 then theres still quota for another non fed trained player, so EC or Kolpak

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:54 am  

martinwildbull wrote:

I did ask the Bulls what the quota was for overseas and Nonfeds to ensure that we did not waste our time, but no response. 5 overseas and 7 non feds gets Etu in as Kolpak and non fed. if it is 7 then theres still quota for another non fed trained player, so EC or Kolpak

just had a look at londons announced 2015 team and they have 7 non fed signed. so tends to suggest rule is 5 quota and 7 non fed same as this year. Unless both us and london have got it wrong which seems unlikely.

farrar non fed + quota
naiqama non fed
foran non fed + quota
slyney non fed + quota
cordoba non fed
nasso non fed
harrison non fed + quota

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:01 am  

Kris Welham next

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:34 am  

Anyone who thinks players from QCup or NSWCup won't handle the championship is in another world. The standard is up there with at least the bottom half of super league. There's going to be a fair few of these players running around in the championship next season and I believe quite a few of them will end up in super league either with the clubs they are joining or being signed by a club. Some of them have the ability to play in the top end of super league too, they just need the chance