Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Sun Aug 11, 2019 9:19 am  

Right now I’d say Ava is comfortably the best prop at the club, and he couldn’t get a regular start in the NRL. Time our standards rose; I know it’s hard with salary cap etc but gems do exist out there if we do our homework.

We will have a lot of options at second row next year, and more speed/mobility there too (Martin and Mellor). We lack big body aggressive front rowers though. We need to be tougher to handle down the middle.

I’ll be hugely interested in which way the club decides to go next year. We just need to secure SL status as soon as possible.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Sun Aug 11, 2019 10:45 am  

With London losing last night id say they now need to win all of their games for us to go down.

Having seen the performances in last two games, I think we should be good for the final win to confirm us. I'd like to see us get it sorted next week, but much depends on what side saints put out.

We've given them two close games so far, so nothing to dear even if it's full strength

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Sun Aug 11, 2019 11:25 am  

Did you see Saints play with half a 2nd team against Warrington? I know Warrington are slightly out of form but still got well beaten by half a Saints side.
Although we are much improved its still going to be a tall order to beat them next week. If they do play kids then they well could be playing for a Wembley place and if its a full side then they will be wanting to take their form forwards for the final

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Sun Aug 11, 2019 11:34 am  

I don't reckon they'll rest many, Roby, Lomax and Walmsley are maybe the players they'd be keenest to see avoid injury. I reckon they're strong enough to cover most other eventualities and will opt for keeping the remainder of the side sharp.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Mon Aug 12, 2019 4:44 am  

Clearwing wrote:

I don't reckon they'll rest many, Roby, Lomax and Walmsley are maybe the players they'd be keenest to see avoid injury. I reckon they're strong enough to cover most other eventualities and will opt for keeping the remainder of the side sharp.

If they rested loads against London for a semi against a championship side the week after then i fully expect the same in preparation for a first wembley visit in over a decade for Saints and a much tougher prospect in Warrington.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Mon Aug 12, 2019 5:29 am  

Perhaps although they'll have a 9 day turnaround this time. Pretty sure their Fax one was short. We'll know soon enough in any case.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Wed Aug 14, 2019 6:10 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Sounds daft but I’m hoping Myler doesn’t pull too much form out over the next few games because I’m never going to believe he’s our answer. Watched him throughout career and he’s just not as good as a top-4 half back should be IMO.

Then again it really depends who else is available - there is no point changing for changing sake. Lui clearly had a better kicking game than anything we’ve had for a number of years and that’s a step forwards.

I wouldn’t be too gutted if we allowed Myler to see out his contract next year while we try to bring McLelland through, but chances are we would be unable to compete for silverware again.

We do have the nucleus of a good side but we need X-factor players to elevate us into contenders again. We’re fannying about with Singleton, Crosby, Peteru at prop where 1 NRL first grade quality prop would make much more difference with Oledski and Holroyd (possibly Dupree) coming through in reserve now.

I'm in a similar place. If there is better than Myler that we can get then let's do it but there is not point if the quality isn't there. I'd rather give Lui and Myler next season then say goodbye to Myler and either have McClelland step up or have had plenty of time to line up a quality replacement.

As a club we need to plan longer term and not be afraid to hold out a bit for the right player. The squad we have now is not world beating but will be enough to see us to mid table next season so let's learn our lessons and build properly.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Wed Aug 14, 2019 7:09 pm  

We’re in a good place once we confirm SL survival. There is some more dead wood to shed over next 12 months, but the academy lads are developing too.

Having a reserve team next year will help us further in that regard and also give a softer route back for injured first team players.

I don’t think it’s too hard to look at our squad now, look at who’s coming through and then plug a couple of gaps with additional signings.

I have been critical of our pack for ages; even at times during the golden era Peacock often carried the pack on his own pretty much. The pack we are assembling now is one top line prop short of outstanding given another year or two.

Newman is rightly getting the attention now but Broadbent is the better centre I feel, as an all-round player who can create chances for his winger. Hopefully he will get a chance next year to cover injury to Hurrell or
Newman.

We could do with another outside back coming through. Hard to predict at the moment because the lads will develop very quickly over the next couple of years.

Anyway all positive for the future IMO if we can just finish the broom job and give the youngsters a pathway.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:48 am  

...and learn some lessons about being more objective when considering any new contracts for existing players. We got in the comfort zone of assuming our squad would come good. That's been proven a fool's hope two years running.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Fri Aug 16, 2019 12:55 pm  

Our inability to beat a 2nd string Saints side shows we still need to make more quality signings.

It’s a concern other clubs are strengthening, announcing signings for next year, but we are not and keep missing out on players.