If this is true Rule won't be a happy bunny since he stated last week no one would breach Hull's new wage structure, except the top earners from overseas and Tickle of course.

Wouldn't have thought this precedence was very good for future wage negotiations for the club, although iv'e no doubt their players will regard this as a victory in boosting their earning power.

TBF Bertie, with their prop targets disappearing over the horizon, (LMS to Saints, Hargreaves to Bulls, Fielden staying put) they had no choice but to up their offer to keep him.

Rovers need to get Wheeldon tied down quickly, 'cos decent props are as rare as hens teeth.

Rule actually said that they are happy with the wage structure although "there are exceptions where market forces dictate you may pay above that level"

as Gorka has already said. if the other targets have signed elsewhere then we would be daft not to increase our offer to radford.

TBH I reckon Hull are more likely to up their offer for Dowes before offering Wheeldon a contract but you never know!

Thats not true at all just ask Craig Hall or Mark Calderwood!

Had Hull's prop targets accepted their offers then there is a fair chance both Radders and Dowes would have had their contract offers removed.

Its a gamble holding on but neither the club nor the players in these positions are in full control because of all the external factors.

AFAIK, neither Hall or Calderwood were offered a contract, the players who were offered reduced terms were Radford and Dowes and it would appear in the former case he already managed to at least retain his former earnings due, as you say, to hull having missed out on projected targets. Dowes position presumably remains in limbo. ?

Will Sharp put pen to paper pretty much ruling out any sort of contract offer for Hall. Calderwood may still be offered something in November if he gets himself fully fit - this may change 1) If another club make him a firm offer or 2) Hull sign another outside back.

Dowes is completely in limbo at the moment and is holding out for more money knowing that if another prop agrees a contract with Hull then his current offer will more then likely disappear.

Going back to your original claim that the Hull players will see the Radders signing as a victory in boosting their earning power I think the above would suggest not.

I don't doubt that for a minute. It wasn't Hull who I had in mind, but I know Wakey are supposed to be interested in Wheeldon. He's not pulling tress up, but everyone has a value, and if the price is right, Rovers should give him another 2 years to continue his development.

His value to Rovers may suddenly increase if other forward targets do not come off!

I would like to think Wheeldon has a future in this city because he is a good prop with the best years ahead of him but things can all change pretty quickly.

Can you provide a link to your assertion that Lee Radford's level of salary on his new contract is the same as his old one? Given that he's getting a testimonial as well, that would be a huge pay increase in real terms. Thanks.