Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Thu Sep 05, 2019 10:19 am  

Gotcha wrote:

He would work well at Cas, alongside Trueman. Trueman is who we should have got, who would work very well with Lui.

Thought Trueman was a Stand Off?

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Thu Sep 05, 2019 10:40 am  

You would have thought with McLelland at Leeds, the play should have been to partner him with Trueman here perhaps.

Myler isn't terrible, I just don't think he's a title-winning-quality half. To be fair he's looked much better since Lui came in with his kicking/organisational game.

Clearly there is some interest in another half back from Leeds, and Agar has bagged Myler on more than one occasion this year over his kicking game.

I'm not too unhappy with the squad for 2020 actually, we look in much better shape now than this time last year on several fronts.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Thu Sep 05, 2019 11:39 am  

KaeruJim wrote:

I'm not too unhappy with the squad for 2020 actually, we look in much better shape now than this time last year on several fronts.

Honestly, I would love to work out how you have that optimism? I just can't see how as we currently stand, and seeing what has happened over the last two years, that a statement like that can be made.

Even writing off the first part of the season. Since Agar has come in and the improvements in signings, we have won 7 out of 14 games. That sort of record would not have even got mid table just a few years back, and who knows next year might well not be enough for that. But more enlightening is that of those 7 wins, 2 have come against the bottom side, 1 against the 3rd bottom side, 1 against the 4th bottom side, 2 against the same side side that has been in freefall for last couple of months, and we couldn't have asked for a better time to play them, and 1 againts a mid table side. We haven't at any time beaten a top six side (maybe that will change tomorrow and next week). That record is stands out so badly.

If we went into next year with the same coaching set up and the same players, in what way could anyone possibly expect anything different?

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Thu Sep 05, 2019 11:46 am  

I agree with gotcha. Another factor is season tickets and corporate sales etc. Going with Agar and the current squad in yet another year written off as 'rebuilding' is a recipe for revenue to drop after the last two seasons.

If I was GH/sinfield I'd seriously consider looking at changes that indicate we've drawn a line in the sand, just as signing Harris did in 97.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:10 pm  

Gotcha wrote:

Honestly, I would love to work out how you have that optimism? I just can't see how as we currently stand, and seeing what has happened over the last two years, that a statement like that can be made.

Even writing off the first part of the season. Since Agar has come in and the improvements in signings, we have won 7 out of 14 games. That sort of record would not have even got mid table just a few years back, and who knows next year might well not be enough for that. But more enlightening is that of those 7 wins, 2 have come against the bottom side, 1 against the 3rd bottom side, 1 against the 4th bottom side, 2 against the same side side that has been in freefall for last couple of months, and we couldn't have asked for a better time to play them, and 1 againts a mid table side. We haven't at any time beaten a top six side (maybe that will change tomorrow and next week). That record is stands out so badly.

If we went into next year with the same coaching set up and the same players, in what way could anyone possibly expect anything different?

Agar won 7 from 13
Furner 4 from 14

Average Points conceded under Furner 28 per game
Average under Agar 16

The side has without question improved under Agar we are actually quite close to being in positive points difference. Two wins to finish the season will probably put us in the +

I am sure there will be some changes in the off season wether it’s with agar or not (which seems likely) we are in an upward curve.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:18 pm  

rollin thunder wrote:

Agar won 7 from 13
Furner 4 from 14

Average Points conceded under Furner 28 per game
Average under Agar 16

The side has without question improved under Agar we are actually quite close to being in positive points difference. Two wins to finish the season will probably put us in the +

I am sure there will be some changes in the off season wether it’s with agar or not (which seems likely) we are in an upward curve.

The starting point is using the correct facts. Furner was 5 from 15 games, and Agar is 7 from 14 games. Both poor records. One playing much harder fixtures and mainly away, but still managed to beat a top six side, and didn't have the benefit of improvement mid season signings.

I don't dissagree on the points for and against, and I don't dissagree on an improvement under Agar. That however, doesn't change just purely looking at the record since Furner has gone, and looking at it with the improvement of signings. Depsite that, it is a poor record, and hence, how can anyone see anything changing for next season going with that?

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:20 pm  

As gotcha's pointed out this 'upward curve' has so far got us to mid table mediocrity. Better sure - but anywhere near good enough?

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:24 pm  

Come on you half-empties, it's not all doom and gloom.

Consider the actual squad we have for a minute. Lui, Ava and Martin have all been significant additions this year - that's three additional starting players from 13. We've got rid of a lot of dead wood and that process is ongoing. Ward and Crosby should be fully fit for 2020. We have some of the best young talent in the comp.

All our Academy prospects are a year bigger, wiser, more experienced. Some more will soon be ready to make the step that Newman has this year.

I didn't say I was entirely happy with the squad because it's obvious we still lack star quality. However I stand by that I'm not too UNhappy, given how low we've sunk and the stage we're at in redevelopment.

If we do win half our league games next year I'd call that progress. I would be happy with progress because I don't expect us to return to #1 even with a couple more astute signings. The Golden side took years in the making, the right coach setting the bedrock and a particular set of players coming through together.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Thu Sep 05, 2019 1:01 pm  

Gotcha wrote:

how can anyone see anything changing for next season going with that?

Because it's a different season and the squad and staff will have had a full long preseason together. You're looking at it very black & white IMO, there was a hell of a job to do to sort the bad attitude out that the players were showing at the end of Furners time here, rectifying that will not have happened over night added to the fact that team were constantly playing with the threat of relegation hanging over them.

Plus there's players like Newman why will have gained so much experience from the second half of this year and some of the Academy lads are a year older and will be looking to make the step up when required.

I'm not saying if we go with the same set up we'll be flying high at the top of the table but I personally think we will fair much better than this season.

I fully expect Agar to get the main job now but I think it will be a years contract with a review at the end of next season.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour Thread V2 : Thu Sep 05, 2019 1:03 pm  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

As gotcha's pointed out this 'upward curve' has so far got us to mid table mediocrity. Better sure - but anywhere near good enough?

And if it is an upward curve then it will get us higher than mid table next year, at least it's an upward curve!