He's English, you mean?

Past it more like

Old and reTIRED

If we can't keep Paea

then I think Carvell, Tuimavave and Walker would be a decent balance.

Netherton, Griffin and James Green competing for a place behind them, perhaps. Bit short on impact would be my one concern. I'd then hope we might be able to keep Mika to play at 13, with Lovegrove going to 12, if the rumour about Patterson wanting to go home were true. If we could sign Dale Ferguson, retain Horne and give more game time to Cox that would be pretty good business IMO.

I got a bit carried away, extrapolating from one rumour there, didn't I?

It'd be a risk, but nearly all signings are - they're unproven/too old/not good enough/too expensive, if it doesn't work out.



Also, Carvell will get a 2-year deal somewhere, I'm sure - if it is with us it is a sign of confidence about of future beyond 2014.

Mind you, with a real possibility of 2 clubs being relegated next season, there's a risk signing long-term with anybody except the top handful of clubs.

Would be a very good signing, can't see it myself though. If Paea stayed it would be a fantastic front row.

Apparently he is keen to come, but his wife rejected the move.

I can see why Carvell might be seen as a decent replacement if we lose Paea but overall I'd say no.



He's still a good player but too old (33 next season) and misses too many games. Most probably he'll only miss more still as time goes on.



Not only has Paea performed to a consistently high standard he hasn't missed a single game since he's been with us. Carvell is no replacement at all really.



Hopefully Paea will stay and then I suppose Carvell would be a decent replacement for O'Hara because then anytime he gets on the pitch would be a bonus. But really it's no good bemoaning injuries and then signing someone likely to add to the problem.

Equally though, we can't expect too many wins if we only sign youngsters. [iIf[/i Paea does leave, it'd be putting a lot of weight on ET's shoulders, not to sign another seasoned, decent quality prop. There's not many options better than Carvell on the ooc list, IMO. You could use the non-fed spot to try to find another player like Paea - but that player could always turn out to be the next Hutch Maiava instead.

Best case, Paea stays, clearly.



If his wife continues to much prefer that side of the Pennines, then Carvell would be an obvious choice for Salford I'd assume.

You mean like in 2011 when he payed 28 games and last season when he played 20?

How many so far this season?

The thing is 20 games out of a possible 35 isn't a great hit rate.

He's missed a few but then so have many of your squad too. Carvell has been very lucky with injuries over his career and his age is not a problem.



Don't knock him, he'd be a good signing for you lot.