We're not. We could have pushed ahead with smaller plans, but we're trying to hold out for a 15k capacity.

Really I am sure all will be revealed shortly

This thing about bigger and better squads. I am a big Tigers fan but I am sorry but anyone who thinks we have got a bigger and better squad than Wakeys needs a wake up call.



I have been saying all season that our big problem this year is our lightweight squad in terms of numbers. We will do all right whilst we keep our numbers intact but the minute we get any sort of injuries or unavailabilities, which all teams at some time or another are going to get, we are going to be in big trouble.



This was borne out on Friday. We had three players out in McGoldrick, Ferres and Jones. The only others we've got apart from them are Ryan Boyle, Ryan Clayton and James Ford and with due respect to the last two named, they are hardly going to set SL alight to say the least.



Out of the Wakey team that comprehensively mauled us were Jamie Stosic, Ricky Bibey, Luke George, Richard Moore, Frank Winterstein, Tevita Latu, Matthew Peterson and Jamie Rooney, eight players who are largely all proven at the highest level.



Yeah whilever we get our best 17 or so out, we will go alright but thats not going to happen. If we want to compete over the whole season and not just the start or certain periods of it, we need another three SL qualitish players.



Wakey I am afraid to say at present, are far better equipped to compete and go the distance than we are.

Again FWIW I think a lot of people and not just Cas fans mistook a flurry of signings as being strength in depth. But that isn't the case, those teams who sign the least players are generally the strongest, because they obviously feel they already have the staff for what they need.



Wakefield only signed Stosic, Snitch and Winterstien in the closed season and they were generally straight replacements.



I realise that is of little concern to you but it's just an outside perspective.

Winterstein signed after the start of the new season..?

Good post, though Scott Grix is missing from your list too so that makes it 9 players! If Sherwin or Goldy or God forbid both get injured then I can see you being in trouble as everything seems to revolve around these two. Chase isn't a bad player but he's more of an individual player than a team player. At Wakey I believe we've got a very well balanced squad and we've already shown we can overcome an injury crisis - at Hull KR the situation was that bad that we had two part time players playing we lost Drew in the first minute and we still gave them a game!

Thats true and the strange thing is I had Grix written down and forgot to include him. Also your right Shifty and McG are extremely pivotal to our season and if one or the other are missing we are going to lose a lot. If, or should I say when both are missing, we will really feel the heat. We have only got Chase in reserve.



Sherwin is massively pivotal to us and he is a player that not only has to be hidden in defence, he is being hidden if you watch closely. This, many people think is because he is advancing in years or carrying an injury, but its also an admission that we need to look after him and keep him free from injury if we are to have a good season and keep the momentum going.



Our threadbare squad is and has been a worry to me and I sincerely hope that if any players of the right calibre do become available, that we make a genuine attempt to recruit them.

Sort of - he was signed before the season started I think but was held up by visa issues. To be honest Frank is a speculator anyway.

Again, a second time....this has been on the cards a long time. I know Joe's injury takes away all meaning of the result, but still, these things happen to an extent and it's just a thing we sadly have to get on with.

what happened today then ?

Several injuries and outplayed by arguably the best St Helens side in a few years, who are hitting the top peak of their form.

Although I agree don't talk to us about injuries, you had 5, we've played games this year with 13 players missing, now thats an injury crisis! Its how you cope with the injuries which determines how good a side you are, you obviously need to steer clear of your fair share as today as shown you will struggle. Hopefully Westerman will get a week or two's rest after his unfortunate injury and with a bit of luck when he comes back fresh TM will start to use him properly, as, from what I've seen this season he isn't being allowed to show his obvious talents. Whether this is because TM is trying to take some pressure off Joe I'm not sure, but, for me to get the best out of him he must be allowed to play his natural game.