Re: 2014 Squad : Mon Nov 25, 2013 6:54 pm  

mr t hall wrote:

No pressure there then
At this stage with our squad and the competition we have it does look
a very big ask.

Everyone's in the same boat. Expect the top 4 to be the closest it has been in years.

Re: 2014 Squad : Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:28 pm  

I've bit my lip on this one for a while. Nothing spectacular and a half back pairing from York.... RL Press Harrison stated we'd made a couple of "significant" signings but they've not materialised. In a potentially pivotal season for our league I don't see us challenging Fev or Sheffield and think Leigh have signed better. Personally not set my world on fire nor a few people I know who we're waiting to see the signings before deciding whether to go next season or not.... So far they're not bothering... For me the jury is out.

Re: 2014 Squad : Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:21 pm  

No big name signings true but Karl has taken on-board where our weaknesses were last year and signed players who can by all accounts:-

a) Pass the blooming ball faster
b) Better kicking game
and lastly
c) shipped out our weak links in Tiger, Thacks and the Ashall brothers.

So whilst I think Fev and Sheffield are in front of us from their current squads especially Sheffield they have kept all their best players and Leigh on paper have signed big we have a good squad and if they gell we should be okay but maybe not top but 2nd hopefully!
Surely our luck will change with injuries and Sheffield and Fev will cop for it for once, they seem to have all their main players all season whilst we lost some key players at certain times of last and the season before which has cost us big time. Surely Finn or Brambani are due time out???

Re: 2014 Squad : Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:25 pm  

The first six games are make or break, for Karl.

Re: 2014 Squad : Mon Nov 25, 2013 9:52 pm  

Yes Jon they were weaknesses that he replaced but we've signed an unproven half and they played at York together.... The minute Harrison announced Thackeray and Handforth as his dream team I worried and I'm not convinced this pairing will stand up to a top 2 side. Let's not forget those "weaknesses" were all his signings too so its of his own making.....

Potentially a huge year for us and I'm not convinced, so much so that I won't be getting a season ticket this year....

Re: 2014 Squad : Mon Nov 25, 2013 9:58 pm  

A big part of last years problem was the crap 5 and kick and that's down to the coach. Will he change it?
Only time will tell but the signings aren't anything that will kick start season ticket sales that I can see.

Re: 2014 Squad : Mon Nov 25, 2013 10:00 pm  

chris_smith wrote:

Yes Jon they were weaknesses that he replaced but we've signed an unproven half and they played at York together.... The minute Harrison announced Thackeray and Handforth as his dream team I worried and I'm not convinced this pairing will stand up to a top 2 side. Let's not forget those "weaknesses" were all his signings too so its of his own making.....

Potentially a huge year for us and I'm not convinced, so much so that I won't be getting a season ticket this year....

Yer I see what you mean Chris but we have to stick by our club and if we only bought our season tickets on the feeling of how they will go in the next season then the club would suffer as who really knows?
While the guys played at York they did play at better clubs before that but moved for whatever reason so can't be that bad, York lacked punch up front mostly last season too.
Thing is how can we expect the club to go for top players if we won't back them by buying season tickets? It has to be a joint effort the Board, fans and sponsors.

Re: 2014 Squad : Mon Nov 25, 2013 10:23 pm  

As a single man with disposable income it wasn't so much of an issue back in the day to purchase a season ticket.... However in a climate where everyone has been struggling and me with 4 kids to pay for everything I buy outside of the essentials has to be a considered purchase. Taking into account the crap style we played last year, Harrison's signings so far this year and the fact I sat at 80% of last years games bored stiff, this close season for me was the chance to weigh up if I could be persuaded to part with my hard earned. Nothing has convinced me so far and looking at the start to the fixtures we could be out of it by April!! Not a case anymore of blind loyalty where I just pay for a season ticket regardless.

Re: 2014 Squad : Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:02 am  

What was the deal we got from Leigh for Barlow ?
at the time the club seemed excited,i thought we were getting
a good Leigh player in exchange.Was it just a bit of cash ?

Re: 2014 Squad : Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:03 am  

Got mine and upgraded to East Stand.
I will miss the chip van, but, he will miss me more.