In truth we are probably encouraging it by bothering to comment!
Truth is that anyone who bothers to comment does so because they care, for all sorts of personal reasons in addition to being loyal supporters. Certainly that's my reason.
To be tantalised by juvenile 'I could tell you, but I won't' gameplaying is just laughing at us.
This sort of activity is usually for when you are looking to enhance the squad. Come off the back of a decent season and try and create some discussions and engagement with the fans ready for next season. It's actually embarrassing that Hamilton (I say him as he will be the puppet master there at the minute) is doing this, it really does seem to show that he isn't capable of the job in hand, it's very amateurish.
The club seem to think that the fans are all waiting with baited breath,on tenterhooks with excitement.Unable to bear the suspense.Well they are wrong.It's tedious and boring.Just anounce the entire 2024 squad,as it stands now.
It's stupid because they effectively already announced who was staying when they confirmed who was leaving. Should have just been a simple one post - these players have signed new deals.
This charade that's playing out is just winding people up even more, and shows how out of touch the new great leader really is.
Agree completely with this post. If we had signed anyone else new it would have been announced with a triumphal fanfare. No news indicates to me we have no further signings to announce at present!
Maybe the club are waiting until the Monday meeting to unveil our top signing, Kirk went under the radar so who knows. Plus most deals in championship are 1 year so a season long loan is just as likely
Looking at the posts regarding Lyons is almost going back 3 years when the same points were made about Gilmore. He went to unfashionable Batley, won MOM awards consistently, got into the play offs etc!!!( can't quite remember what we did!).
However, time moves on and if we have a couple of half backs on the lightweight side we certainly need a rough tough loose forward to cover them. Old fashioned I know but it worked!!!
Inevitably we still need at least one more half back to cover injuries.
I remember Alex Murphy saying that he had the best minder in the game, some bloke who played loose forward called Vincent something or other.
You got it!!
Don't know where that Saints player was from (could have been Widnes) - but they still have young halves and a rough loose forward!!!!
To be fair, Alex Murphy also had a lot of talent too. I suggest we need both a "rough tough loose forward" and a talented stand-off.
According to Alex Murphy himself he was the best scrum half to ever play the game, just think how good he could have been with a bit more confidence. The loose forward was definitely one of the hardest to ever play the game.
@sandgroper Our problem seems to be more that Gilmore and Lyons are too similar in their play, neither being much of a runner or a line breaker, both can organise and distribute, with Gilmore the superior talent. Not sure a rough tough loose forward would make to much difference to their games, (although good to have in their own right), as long as we've got plenty of willing forwards running on to their passes and knowing the moves.
Our desperate need is for a running half back, which we had to some degree with Craven until injury and the passage time reduced the running side of his game. Our most versatile 3/4 is edge who has covered at centre, fullback and wing. Might he have the talent for a 6, don't really know. OK that maybe weakens us at centre, but if we are not bringing a running halfback, maybe centres are easier to find?
Like many I'm disappointed at the apparent lack quality signings. Maybe announcements are being held back until Monday, but its hard not to conclude that we have wasted our advantage of a well above average fan base, by ill judged recruitment and coaching decisions. We have no wealthy benefactor, so Superleague, or whatever they are going to rebrand it as, is a bit of a pipe dream, but a top 4 Championship side, should not be beyond us! I want to turn up to each home game to see plenty of effort and a few quality players to get excited about.
Edge looked dangerous as a running back from the full back spot, he could choose his line and judge where the defence was weakest. It might all depend on how our Coach wants to play the game.
Thinking a bit about Alex Murphy and great he certainly was!
He also rubbed a lot of people up the wrong way and iirc was about 23 yrs old when he played his last representative game! He played and coached in the league but never higher!
Confirmed on the main site, Martyn Reilly signs for Widnes. A prop from Batley he has signed a two year deal.
Good signing in my opinion.
I agree a good signing. Has played the last 2 seasons at Batley & rarely missed a game. Presumably Gilmore has had some influence in the signing of the 2 Batley players having played with them both.
Sign up Dudson & we will be ok for props. Havong signed 3 now though thay may be it but IMO still one short . Field is a second row not a prop.