Gareth was excellent in patches for us last year, and scored some quality tries with his trademark 'show and go'. His kicking is also very good, both from hand and in terms of kicking at goal.



He has the potential to go along way, but tended to 'go missing' in games, usually against bigger clubs, where there wasnt as much space to play in. At times he can dictate a game but only tends to do it in spurts. His defence is also a big worry, with him being caught out and 'run over' numerous times at Championship Level.



The defensive problems are perhaps a result of his size, but to play at the top level when your as physically small as that you need to be a real star peformer, i.e. Alfie Langer, Shaun Edwards, Rob Burrow. And Gareth is even smaller than those guys.



He perhaps has the potential to play at SL but at the moment he is miles of that IMO. He wasnt even first choice at Batley after the first couple of games this year, as Karl Harrison prefers a combo of Paul Handforth and Paul Mennell, who I feel, and alot of other Batley supporters agree, are superior players, especially Handforth.



With Mennell injured yesterday, we played a full back Ian Preece (who was also rumoured to have a broken hand) at 7, and to be honest he looked just as good as Gareth, and alot more willing to get involved so to speak.



Unless his kicking game is at his best, I do honestly feel he would struggle to even be first choice in the top 3 or 4 Championship teams. He certainly isnt the same level as Liam Finn at Fev, or Brambani from Dewsbury who's already been mentioned on here.



His body language has been quite poor this season too, maybe as a result of not getting the SL contract he wanted at the start of the year. This possibly explains some people having a bit of animosity towards him.



Maybe training with full time pro's will make a big difference, but personally I really couldnt imagine seeing him play in SL anytime soon.



For Gareth's sake I do hope im wrong though, and wish the lad all the best with you guys.

Grow up you fool, im one of possibly thousands of people on RLfans to critisise a player and give their opinion on one of them but you seem to think it's something out of the ordinary, get real for christs sake.

No need for personal insults.



This:







looked like more than your average fans criticism of a player and suggested more of a dislike for him as a person than a player. If not, you could have just said so.



Meanwhile, I hope he goes well for us and your predictions don't come true - I can't see him being the answer to our short term lack of creative spark, but he could be one for the future.

Have to say, I really don't like this signing we already have Matty Wildie who is a much better player and a wakey lad. Also i am sorry to say this signing singles the clubs fears of losing its licence and moore signing is preparation for next season.

How do you explain Hickey's signing then?

Which in its self isn’t a bad thing



Whatever decision is made in July the club needs to prepare for both outcomes in order to have the best chance of a) making a good go of SL should they retain their license or b) be as prepared as they can be by having a settled side in which to achieve the necessary on-field playing criteria ASAP to have a chance of coming back up in 2015.