The current ERE Poll, "Has the signing of Michael Claassens given you hope for next season?" shows that some two thirds of respondents has given them hope. Clearly quite a few folk still need to be convinced.

The recruitment of players in rugby is now so similar to football, with agents playing a significant role in trying to beef up the value of their clients. It's in the interest of agents to see newspaper and internet headlines hailing their client as being worth a small fortune even though no one has made a bid or shown an interest. Agents recognise the importance of "the market" to ensure their 10% (or whatever their cut comprises) has the highest possible value.

Got Him - Michael Claassens

Picture - Courtesy Empics

Players themselves can place obstacles in front of the negotiating team. Perhaps we naively think the process is as simple as a club offering a player a sum of money to play for them. Sadly it's not, with some players making demands not too dissimilar from rock stars who insist that the red M&Ms are removed from the sweetie bowl in their dressing room. Personally I'd like clubs to "Out" players who try and hold them to ransom so we know why a particular deal broke down.

There is a real danger that we (supporters) are too gullible in terms of believing what we read. If asked whether "We believe all we read in the press" I'm sure most would say "Of course not" yet we'll happily have a, sometimes heated, debate over a player who is supposed to be heading our way just because the press says he is. When that person doesn't arrive it is suddenly a story that Bath Rugby can't attract good players etc, etc, etc. The fact that the club never had an interest in the first place is wholly irrelevant.

Want Him - Butch James

Picture - Courtesy Empics

Journalists have to write stories to earn a living and, believe it or not, stories don't happen every day so they have to create them. Many hacks know that clubs won't contradict them openly because to do so may spoil some delicate negotiations with players they are actually trying to sign, so they fly a few kites. If the story comes off it becomes a "We told you first" situation. If it doesn't, it's only the sad stattos like us who remember that a particular hack's sources are about as reliable as a 1970s Ford Escort starting first time each morning.

As I said in a previous story, had Jack Rowell been at the helm and said, "Trust me, I'm negotiating with some top players but can't say anything for several months" he would have been left alone to get on with it. However without someone like Jack undertaking this role, Bob Calleja and his colleagues have endured constant criticism over their activities.

To be fair to Bob he really can't win, announce new top class players and we just accept it as being what should happen. Fail to announce news about negotiations, which may compromise the deal, and he's criticised. In my eyes this all comes back to the issue of trust and how many of us are prepared to place our trust in someone who is not seen as having enough rugby in him.

Progress is being made on the ground issue (albeit slowly) and progress is being made with the signing of top class players. Retain our current stars and have a good start to next season and suddenly we're in a completely new ball game (if you know what I mean).

Personally I'm giving Bob and his colleagues the benefit of the doubt. I believe they will sign the players we need and keep our club at our spiritual home.

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