According to Dave Parker.

interesting. can't see us letting him go permanently unless a players become available who would strengthen the team more than sykes staying. other possible reason would be if we need some money to pay walker off, although as I understand the operational rules, provided its sorted before the season starts any payment to walker doesnt count under cap so no real reason to lose a player.

might make sense as a season long loan as he may struggle to get in team if platt and crookes impress.

In our strongest 17, I wouldn't have Sykes in there. However he is good backup for our halves. Although I wouldn't want to see him playing in the three quarters again as his defence there is dire.

Not sure if I'd be happy or not if he was to go. I wouldn't be gutted, but I'd hope that if he is going, we have some more half back cover coming in, rather than it just being Menzies to cover again.

Perhaps this would explain why Danny Addy was suddenly given a chance to play with the big boys at Cas?

Raynor to Bulls

Do you have a link? Not that I want you to go all BSC on us

First i've heard. Wouldn't be too bothered, although it would be strange when he's just signed a new deal.

Nosey Parker said!




WOW, its bound to happen now! After all, NP has an amazingly accurate record of predicting player movements...

To be replaced by Kirk Yeaman

Sykes can be a very good player on his day. He does come in for a lot of flack, but if Crookes, Platt and Addy can step up this year then he might not even get a look in.

Would setle for Yeaman coming in, but it would suprise me now to see much player movement at this time of year when squads are supposedly finalised and preparations are well under way. Cant really see why Yeaman would be allowed to leave Hull in Dec/Jan when they appeared happy to keep him at end of season when usual merry-go-round commences

dont see yeaman as a significant enough improvement , if any, to warrant trying to integrate another new player into a team with a lot of newcomers already.

In the centres, Yeaman would be a massive improvement on Sykes.

However, Sykes' most important contribution to our squad, imo, is the halfback cover he provides. If he was to leave, we'd still have Nero, Platt & Crookes for the centres (not to mention Reardon, Straugheir and other young players). However we'd have a big gap if Kearney or Orford were to get injured.

I suspect the Yeaman thing is just a "who I'd like" comment anyway, rather than based on any actual fact. However if Sykes is going, a replacement should be able to play in the halves imo (or strengthen an area of the team that needs it more than centres, i.e. wing).