What we ended up with in the previous two or three seasons, was a squad that was reportedly being paid almost full salary cap, yet playing at a standard that was significantly short of top 8. League table position may not be the full story, but many of the performances confirmed the superficial story, and so you'd have to conclude that as a squad they were being considerably overpaid.



Last season the squad overall performed magnificently, taking everything into account, and the adversity that they faced, however were and are a long way short of a top-four squad, so arguably they were still overall being significantly overpaid, or else half a dozen clubs above us were getting significantly more bang for their buck.



Some argue that the likes of Cas, London and Widnes were also spending pretty much the full cap, preposterous though it may seem that the Vikings' wage bill (for example) should be comparable with the Warriors or Wire.



I have heard it said that there's a reverse psychology at work, that for a bottom-dweller club to sign a team of decent (if not top rated) players it has to pay then [imore[/i rather than less, as some sort of premium, as why else would a quality player sign for such a club, if not for the money? Maybe there's something in that. If it is true that as a league, the clubs all pay say 90% of the salary cap, then that means any team trying to impose a meaner structure may have few takers, if higher paid jobs are available elsewhere.

There's little doubt that the better players tend to gravitate to the clubs which already have a strong squad, and given even money, I'd guess that most would join the club they perceive as having the best chance of getting silverware - maybe some players, hard bitten pros as they are, would genuinely forsake a little cash for a good chance of a medal. The old adage about 'being a long time retired', will always be true, but it must be nicer to have the odd memento to hang on to, or even pass down to your kids.



Sponsors providing non-cap input into things like training facilities, healthcare and more coaching staff is something we clearly don't have at anything like the levels of the top clubs, and obviously, we can't forget the influence of 'non-connected third parties', who may provide 'jobs' away from rugby or even work for spouses (and more if they don't stick to the legal, taxable elements, not that they ever would, of course

) - in the final analysis it all adds to the 'package' and may well be the clincher in a tight decision and is an area in which don't have any clout.

I disagree. Lifestyle of a superleague player v grafting at a job 40 hours a week and playing amateur for appearance fees no matter which country it's in - no brainer!



I think his manager must have had a blackout when he advised him on this one. Few weeks grafting his boll@cks off and he'll soon be missing his training mates and coffee afternoons with the lads.



Only a complete moron would throw his career away! I hope I'm wrong for his families sake! I can't see it though. Who would offer a contract when he's not been playing at that standard. There's not enough places for the amount of players as it is.



I only hope we don't get Foster.

Thats how i will always remember ainy! Good player and always gave it his all for us

plenty of young 'no name' kids get fairly decent contracts in australia playing semi pro, so see no reason why ainscough won't get decent money no matter where he ends up which he'll then be able to top up with a job if he wishes.

confirmed by FC in the TnA this morning:

“I’ve been pretty honest when I speak to agents because I know what these players are worth to the club.



It’s not the top players, it’s generally the middle band ones expecting more money ([ithan they are worth[/i)."



This could be why it is taking so long to announce new props and wing. Hes not going to be rushed into anything. They do seem to be going =#FF4000even more bonkers =#BF4000than usual on teh TnA blog about starting preseason with only 2 props, when theres a few weeks before it gets an issue.

Well to be fair a lot of the posters on the t&a blog appear to be bonkers to start with

You're not kidding

You make it sound as though it might be open to a bit of doubt.....

Thanks mat, post now edited for accuracy.

That Viking poster is an absolute fruit and nut

A T&A employee has been letting people believe its one of the current bulls employees (who was made redundant and taken back on again) his email address has been identified. Naughty naughty!

That other guy, 'a sensible lady' + various aliases, has obviously got mental issues.