I would be disappointed to see Gaskell go when we get into SL but as you say thankful he chose to stay with us this season. However lets not forget he has come on leaps and bounds at our club and not been as effective before that. Not totally convinced about Sammut. Sure he has great days and can play some good stuff. The downside is he runs hot and cold.

I think the club needs to be prudent here and assume we won't be promoted. You always have to prepare for the worst case scenario.

If we end up playing in the championship again next season, you could argue that a halfback pairing of GoB and Sammut is actually better than what we have now.

Well, it's a combination of two actual halves, so yes, I think that's probably correct.

:

I would prefer a combination of Gaskell and O'Brien. If we do not achieve promotion Lee would be daft not to seek a bigger challenge. However if we go up it's likely he would be one of the first names on our team sheet .

I can understand any players wish to test himself. Whatever he decides all Bulls fans will wish him well

[url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbulls/13312557.You_read_it_here_first____Star_man_Gaskell_vows__I_ll_be_at_Bradford_Bulls_next_season_regardless_of_division/Says he's staying next season regardless of division[/url

Superb news. What a shot in the arm! He's been awesome this season and to have him confirmed for next year is brilliant.



BTW I heard last night that the Sammut rumours were started in the Sammut household and there's nothing in them.

Absolutely fantastic news. Could have a domino effect too, if he stays then others may decide to as well.

Yeah I was thinking that. Let's hope so. A bit may depend on budgets given that if we don't go up I think we get a cut in the central distribution from what we got this year.

Sammut is allegedly on £90k and won't consider a pay cut. He's going nowhere.

If it turns out to be true and he does start for us next season then that is great news. As regards budgets for next season then the middle eight fixtures could provide a decent uplift in income and If crowds stay at similar levels we shouldn't be much out on budget predictions. Looking at the squad we are paying for now I can see quite a lot of potential for savings just by releasing a few that we haven't really needed, and we have added 3 players during the season.

Can someone change the title of this thread please.

So it's more a case of shaking the tree and seeing what nuts fall out then?



But it's very good news that Gaskell is staying put next year. It should be capped off, IMO, by giving him the captaincy.