Danny Speakman

[Wirralviking]

All down to circumstance I think Leigh cashed in on our financial problems (as we would have done in their place). Moran and TKL are "big names" in this division and I am sure they have signed them to get bums on seats as well as for thei quality.  I dont think we saw the best out of either of them last season but they still have class.

We on the other hand are playing catch up and have to gamble on players staying fit etc, no doubt the gamble will come off with some but not others.

It would be nice to have at least one new "wow factor" player in the squad, (not taking anything away from Noone, Smith and Beswick, who have skills we know about) which is why we are all so mad keen on getting a quality scrum half and another centre.  If we were able to do that there is enough decent quality in the rest of the squad for us to be competitive.  If we can finsih up in the top half of the table with our 9 points handicap that will be a decent showing.

[rs]

"Could have". Those are the operative words in this case. Leigh must have decided that Danny's injury record and/or general form does not make him a good long term bet. Widnes, on the other hand have a more pressing need right now for such a player and are obviously willing to take the gamble.

The same can be said of Tim Hartley, Danny Hill and Martin McLoughlin. All of whom are POTENTIALLY good players but have poor recent injury/form records, which have lead their previous clubs to see them as not good long term bets and so have allowed them to leave.

I hope I'm wrong but I would be very surprised if we see all four of the above featuring in the majority of our games this season.

Interesting whats the lowdown with McLoughlin and his fiorm/injuries?

[Sandgroper]

We are still probably well below our Cap (because of the juniors we have signed) and I guess that we will be looking for wash down from the SL as their squads get settled.  Just one point, we do have a very good coaching team!  Just think back to the howls about Nanyn's poor defence when he had playe a few games but that was corrected and so we all moan when he leaves!  Give the team- all the teamj, a chance before we start giving up. 

If our team took the same view as some of its 'supporters' we really would have a problem.

[Briga]

Yeah, I'm with you on this one Sandgoper#

[The Ghost Of Ethel]

Agree with Sandgroper, also I believe Speakman is on a part time contract so will again not use as much of our salary cap money.