He's a big, solid unit, with a chippy attitude - wasn't he the one who wanted to feyt everyone when Wire came to us earlier this season?



Is Simon tied up for next year?

Yes he is, signed until end of 2016.

Yes it was.



Definitely the type of player we need - though it’s always a gamble obviously.



Twenty games for Warrington isn’t bad. Not sure why they are getting rid, could be that they don’t rate him as top four material or it could be as simple as the lad is fed up of travelling and wants to be nearer home.



Either way he’s a big unit and aggressive. If we can keep Simon, keep Scruton and Anderson fit thats not a bad front row. With Kirmond, Ashurst and Anakin in the S/R I can’t see any excuses why we can’t compete up front so long as someone is organising things. Not forgetting the likes of Walker, Yates, Molloy and Crowther who will all play a part.



I’m convinced that a good closed season and positive coaching could transform this team. Not to top four obviously but certainly a a contender NOT A CERTAINTY for the 8th spot.

Does this (the top 8 comment) assume that Brian Smith remains at the helm.



Top 8 , after the season we've just had, would be a phenomenal achievement

Not especially but it would help.



Remember 2006, we were dreadful - following season with a slightly weaker squad top 8 or very close. I've said before this squad looked ok at the start of the season and they IMHO have grossly under achieved for whatever reason.



Finally I did put "NOT A CERTAINTY" in caps, what more can I do to make it obvious that I feel that top 8 is at the top end of expectation?

The pack is good enough for me and England would replace Mullaly.

It's the half back that has been the problem.

Fix that we fix the forwards.

£18 million !!!!!!!!!! ....who do you think we are - Salford ?????

Or could he be a replacement for Ian Kirke ? In fact My avatar 'The Widow Ty' would do us a better job than Kirke

eighth spot next season would be great. i think the forward's situation seems to be improving but i do think we need a top class experienced 1/2 back who can change a game either with his kicking or around the play the ball or in open play[ im not asking for a lot am i ???? 2 more decent centres for cover & maybe another full back,depends if Tansey stays,he had a good game against the Bulls. also i think if Brian Smith stays as coach it will be the biggest bonus of all.

I think that if Smith stays, then we may have a decent shot at top 8 but, if he goes then, it will very much depend on who comes in.

We have seen it so many times, over the past 20-30 years that, assistant coaches from other clubs come in and fail miserably, not always straight away but, we normally end up in the mire.

Agar, Webster, Smith (Casper) etc, etc.

In Brian Smith, we have a top coach, who's knowledge is supreme and I would take him with a group of "lesser" players rather than a hopeful with a "better" squad.

Of course, he said that he hadn't made a decision and that his "life was not his own" but I really hope that he fancies some more time at Belle Vue and we may then actually avoid the "qualifiers".



Clearly, it was hard to miss the part of your post that was in capital's but, clearly we need someone capable of ensuring that players perform close to their potential and who want to play for the club, unlike so many of our squad atb the start of the season.

So this fantastic pack that was able to get on top of absolutely no one in SL, that managed to win 3 out of 7 middle 8 games is suddenly pretty close to competing for a top 8 spot according to Vastman. Never in the history of RL forums has such rubbish been spouted. We need to sign three rough tough no nonsense aggressive nasty forwards to complement Anakin. Apart from Simon and Anakin our pack looked like a bunch of girls, soft as hell and a bunch of surrender monkeys. Anderson can go for me : big girls blouse.

I've found somebody who agrees with me! Hurrah!