seems our recruitment has not gone so well for next year.



We have been strongly connected to Luke Patten ( Salford), Paea ( Catalans), Mason ( HKR)



as well as =#FF0000loosely connected to LMS ( saints) and Will Sharp ( Hull).



The fact that we have lost out on some targets suggests that is why it has been quiet on the announcement front.

And Danny Tickle

We don't know how many if any of these players the club were genuinly interested in as most of the rumours are merely media speculation.

I am not too bothered as the squad is strong already and we probably only need another two signings at the most.

It also adds is stability to current squad.

There is a balance that needs to be drawn betwen squad strength and Quality players.



When we have had players out we have been able to replace them with sound players who although full of effort have not been able to have the ability to match those they are replacing.



For us to have a chance against the top teams Wire Saints Wigan etc we needed to have a our best team out. Losing one or two players meant we were not able to compete with them.



we need to look beyond putting 50 on wakefield or quins and learn how to beat Saints or Wire by 2.



I still think we are at least =#FF0000three top players from being able to sit at the top table. Full back, prop and centre.



maybe Grix, Lawrence / Gilmour will fill some of those gaps but after that who is left

.



If you look at our first 17 from last season ( squad numbers)

=#FF00001. Brett Hodgson

2. Leroy Cudjoe

=#FF00003. Jamahl Lolesi

4. Paul Whatuira

5. David Hodgson

6. Kevin Brown

7. luke Robinson

8. Eorl Crabtree

9. Shaun Lunt

10. Keith Mason

11. Lee Gilmour

12. David Fa'alogo

=#FF000013. Stephen Wild

14. Simon Finnigan

15. Andy Raleigh

16 Darrell Griffin

17. Danny Kirmond



Our back options have been significantly weaked with those departures. 3 players who could play at centre and a full back ( i have included Jammer as i think he is going and would question whether he can do a job for us with his back problem).



Maybe some of the kids will come through and be stars but they will have to learn quickly if they are going to compete with the likes of Gidley, Roberts, Bridge etc.

I think we do need another back and another forward but only if we can get the right quality players.

I don't think the strength of the squad has been the problem it probably has more depth than any other in the league.

The difference between Huddersfield and the top three or four teams is their better players are just that bit ahead of our better players and have a bit more of a winning mentality due to their experience of playing in big games.

I think we've got a pretty solid looking squad who without our mid season blip and a little bit of luck would have certainly finished in the top 4 and I think N Brown will no doubt have irons in the fire to bring 1 or maybe 2 more quality players in to hopefully take us up to the next level, I don't know how much cash we can afford to splash to bring in these players though. Of the so called fringe players I like the look of Grix and I'm hoping he is going to step up to the challenge to replace Brett and turn into a top class full back and young Jermaine on the wing looks a very exciting prospect with a big future if he can continue his improvement.

It's okay speculating on what we need and what we would like, correct me if I'm wrong, but next year the rules limit the squad to 25 first team players,with certain other restrictions on home grown and 'Furriners'.

To All, out of the players mention, contracts were offered to 2 of them. Both players played the “show me the money” card and Huddersfield Giants do not enter that game. Lopini Paea was never due to sign as Huddersfield do not have the same cap as Catalans. Danny Tickle could be likened to Ivan Cleary with his as good as in writing handshake.

that would be DT and WM then i guess.



As for the Catalans cap do they have some dispensation as surely all SL teams have the same cap or is there something advantages re the tax system going on

Every team has the same salary cap.



As for the rules i know there are changes regaring overseas quotas and number of home frown players in each squad but i do not know the specifics.

The 25 player rule is alread in place. It used to be the 20/20 rule but this was increased to 25 players on 20k a year or more. Which means any extra squad players over 25 will be youngsters on small contracts.

the stella kid, Catalans salary cap is currently higher than it should be due to exchange rate changes