Wakefield Wildcats preview

Last season

Forget about what went on the pitch (and most of their fans would probably like to) last year for Wakefield was all about survival off it.

Before a pass had even been made in the 2011 campaign the Trinity Wildcats announced they would be entering administration, meaning a four-point deduction that left them already behind their rivals.

Their financial problems also led to a raft of players leaving Belle Vue before businessman Andrew Glover purchased the club, making sure they would at least see out the season in Super League.

Wakefield's top-flight future beyond that looked bleak - they were the ones seemingly most in danger of losing their licence. Yet again, however, they somehow survived as Crusaders opted to pull out of the race.

They lost to the Welsh club just days after but still finished just above them in the table, narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon. They conceded the most points (957) and also scored the fewest (453) by quite a distance.

Despite the odd bright spot - including an away win in Perpignan and a stunning come-from-behind triumph over neighbours Castleford at the PROBIZ Coliseum - it was a long, tough summer for their patched up squad.

Before it was out announced coach John Kear would not have his contract renewed. He famously kept Wakefield up in 2006 after joining midway through that season and worked wonders on a shoestring budget.

Ins and outs

The first job of the two-man board of Glover and chief executive James Elston was to find a new coach. Richard Agar, fresh from leaving Hull FC, was the man they selected, signing him up on a three-year contract.

Agar then set about making changes to the playing squad. In fact, making changes is an understatement. He has made no fewer than 18 signings (even more than Super League new boys Widnes) as a revolving door has basically been in operation at Belle Vue.

Aaron Murphy's departure to Huddersfield saw the Wildcats get Andy Raleigh and Danny Kirmond in return, while Kyle Amor made a permanent move from Leeds, with former Rhino Ali Lauitiiti quickly joining him.

Winger Peter Fox has returned for a second spell at Wakey and full-back Richard Mathers has made the short move from Castleford on a season-long loan after being deemed surplus to requirement at the Tigers.

Add in Oliver Wilkes and Andy Ellis from Harlequins, Vince Mellars from Crusaders and Danny Washbrook from Hull and it's clear to see that there's plenty of Super League experience on the roster.

The imports are a little more of an unknown quality apart from half-back Tim Smith, who had a spell with Wigan earlier in his career. What to expect from Issac John and Dean Collis is not so clear. The other overseas recruit is Steve Southern, a second-rower who Agar has selected to skipper the side.

With so many coming in there have been just as many leaving. Glenn Morrison wasn't meant to be amongst the lengthy list, but the Australian was forced to retire after suffering a freak injury during the first week of pre-season training.

Outlook

By Dave Ord - Wakefield fan and deputy editor of www.sportinglife.com

So where do you begin with the 2012 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats? Well there's a new coach, 18 new players and a fresh sense of optimism around the club.

The decision to grant Wakefield a licence came as a shock for many and after so much uncertainty, recruitment for the new campaign had yet to start in August.

The decision to replace John Kear at the end of the season was swiftly taken and while Richard Agar's appointment took a little longer to confirm, the search for players was quickly under way.

It seems to have been fruitful with nearly all of the incoming personnel, on paper at least, strengthening the squad.

Steve Southern will lead the side and is the sort of no-nonsense forward that was so badly missed at times last year but it's around the halves and hooker that the biggest changes have been made.

Tim Smith arrives from Australia in the last-chance saloon but the mercurial talent has shone bright through the pre-season games. Isaac John is a genuine stand-off of rich potential and Kyle Wood a blossoming talent.

At hooker Paul Aiton promises to bring a new dimension to the side, alongside the impressive Andy Ellis signed from Harlequins. Throw in the likes of Richie Mathers, Dean Collis, Ali Lauitiiti and Ben Cockayne and this looks a more competitive side altogether.

That said it will need to be, and while talk of sneaking a play-off spot is ambitious, a season of progress and consolidation on and off the field at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium looks very much on the cards.