The Ferres debacle has got me thinking about our squad for 2016, the team we can put on the field and who will fill in given injuries.



I see the starting 17 as follows



Grix

Jerry

Leroy

Connor (think he is out for the first month or two)

Murphy

Brough

Ellis

Crabtree

Hinchliffe

Huby

Wardle

Ta'ai

Lawence



Rapira

Smith

Patrick

Leeming



Reserves:

Robinson - Will probably get picked over Leeming.

K.Wood - Will return a couple of months into the season I think, good player but do we need all these halves?

Roberts - Apparently bags of potential but he's never played first team for us.

Simpson - Looks a great player for the future, not sure if he's enough cover in the back line.

L.Johnson - Don't know much about him but heard good things, will probably get 1/2 games this year.

J.Johnson - Has played some Super League and I liked the look of him at Loose Forward I'd imagine this is his opportunity.

Dickinson - Out on Loan to Keighley.

M.Wood - One for the future, might get a game this year.



2015 Outs: Lunt, Koppy, Mullally, Hughes, Broughton, Bailey, Fairbank, Learmoth, (Ferres)

2016 Ins: Hinchliffe, Rapira, Patrick, M.Wood



We have lost a lot of quality there with lot of SL experience (Learmoth aside) and while I'm confident the young lads can step up and we can potentially shuffle about if required, I think we are slightly short in the centre/wing, back-row and prop area, more so given that Anderson has said Rapira has been struggling for a while with injuries.



Any thoughts on potential line-ups, or rumours of further signings, with pre-season underway i'd imagine our options are limited, unless we can get someone in a swap deal for Ferres, or we splash a couple of quid?

think connor will be fit for start of season, hes just abit behind in pre season



wood too i think will be ok for the start but no need to rush them



we have cover in the half back roles with robinson and wood which is good.



will be relying on the youngsters to come good if we get some injuries in the pack



who knows what we will do to replace ferres, the club doesnt rush to make signings bit like when lunt left.

How do you guys think Patrick will go for you?

He clearly wasn't in Baloo's plans last season when they allowed him to go to Wigan in exchange for Jack Hughes in a loan swap



Word was that you wanted him off your cap space and wanted Wigan to keep him after the loan spell

If this isn't true then what are you gaining by getting him back that you wouldnt have had last season if you had kept him?

He wanted to go, Wigan didn't want to keep him. I can't see we've gained anything apart from perhaps cutting down an ego.

That squad will win nothing this season.

Although i would love it absolutely love it if this turns into my Alan Hansen moment.



Patrick is in a difficult position. He has to perform to get a contract at the Giants ( unlikely ) or if he plays badly no one will be offering him big bucks anywhere else.



So he will have to play out of his skin to put himself in the shop window for 2017.



We are still a back row forward and a wing / centre short in the squad in terms of numbers.



The only hope is that we can manipulate a deal to get someone in exchange for Ferres. Lots of clubs would want him but who would they offer.



Personally i would phone Rusell Crowe up and tell him we will help him out by taking Sam Burgess for a year but he will have to pay half his wages then send Ferres to OZ for a year.

patrick has alot to prove, thought the grass would be greener



looks like he will get his chance though and being in last year of a contract is always a good thing as they will be trying their best to get a new one

I hope he has a grear season and then we let him go and get someone on who wants to play for the club and not a contract

There isn't many who play for pride in the shirt anymore. RL is a short career and money more than often rules over anything. I'll take Patrick playing for a contract if it meant we won something.



I do fear us to be short on the second row though unless somebody comes through who isn't expected. Roberts should get a chance but would still like to see a second rower with experience playing at a high level signed. Even just a squad player.

You are bang right there but IMO that is more to do with a clubs culture in keeping players happy in their working environment rather than chasing the bigger salary elsewhere and being enticed by the lure of the Koukash dream

I know you've heard it all before but the Rhinos have kept so many players over the years because they were happy to be playing where they were happy

Sir Kev mentioned this in one of his GF winning speeches when he said that they could have all earned a few more quid elsewhere



The Giants have got so much going for them if they control and manage it right, If the players buy into it as a collective group then the rewards will certainly come to those that decide to stay on the ride rather than those that decide to jump off at the first opportunity of more money elsewhere

Lee Smith is on trial at Hull FC, worth a punt as cover at the right price? Plus he's won some big games which is what we need...

No.

+1



We either give youth a chance or add some quality.

Smith is not a centre or a second row which is where we may struggle.