Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Wed Oct 25, 2023 10:04 pm  

Fully agree Jim. I think top 3 or 4 could be out of reach without unless we get lucky with injuries

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 7:38 am  

Trebor1 wrote:

Fully agree Jim. I think top 3 or 4 could be out of reach without unless we get lucky with injuries

Not saying you are wrong but the bookies have us as third favourites! We surely need to be in and around the top 4 otherwise the pressure will come on for Rohan Smith.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 8:10 am  

yeah agree. I'm not wanting to be negative at all and i think we've done fabulous business so far with players, absolutely phenomenal. But to bridge the gap to Wigan Saints Catalan from where we finished last year will take some doing in one offseason. The pack as it stands is short, no doubt about it.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 8:12 am  

Trebor1 wrote:

yeah agree. I'm not wanting to be negative at all and i think we've done fabulous business so far with players, absolutely phenomenal. But to bridge the gap to Wigan Saints Catalan from where we finished last year will take some doing in one offseason. The pack as it stands is short, no doubt about it.

The gap isn’t that big. We beat all those teams last year. This seasons squad is massive upgrade. Think we should be pushing top 2 to be honest.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 8:18 am  

Shabino wrote:

The gap isn’t that big. We beat all those teams last year. This seasons squad is massive upgrade. Think we should be pushing top 2 to be honest.

Yes it is no doubt. I just think if we get an injury or two up front as it stands it will hold us back by quite a bit. The gap was pretty significant imo to the top 3 imo, disagree with you there.

I have a good feeling about this season though and i am really looking forward to it. We should be aiming for top 4 as a minimum. I think we will go well but as i say if pack stays as it is it will leave us slightly short of top 3 in my opinion of course.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 8:23 am  

Shabino wrote:

The gap isn’t that big. We beat all those teams last year. This seasons squad is massive upgrade. Think we should be pushing top 2 to be honest.

Winning one off games and staying consistent enough throughout a season to finish top 2 are very different things. Otherwise Wakefield could assume the distance between them and Wigan isnt that great.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 8:49 am  

Its a long season, injuries and bans will happen.
Having to rely on Martin at centre and Olpherts on the wing because we couldn't get get Newman and fusi out enough really hurt us.
If we have a prop out for a big block or even multiple we will struggle to set any platform and end up relying on panic / hope someone does something spectacular football.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 10:29 am  

Loiner at large wrote:

Not saying you are wrong but the bookies have us as third favourites! We surely need to be in and around the top 4 otherwise the pressure will come on for Rohan Smith.

I do agree that we would expect to see what RS is really made of as a coach with this side - assuming we don’t get ravaged by injuries so much. You cannot logically judge a coach based on signings that don’t actually play.

However I’d also say that he’ll pretty much start the new season like every other coach - 5 terrible results in a row and most coaches would be fired. Not sure he’s actually under and more or less pressure than other SL coaches except maybe London and Cas.

I’m looking forward to seeing the new side. Dunno about anyone else but most of last year seemed like going through the motions once the wheels fell off about half way in. Excited for the new season where we should be expecting to perform well and win more.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 11:51 am  

Some real class signings abd we needed them all.
Excited for next season,fingers crossed on good luck with injuries

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 11:56 am  

A lot of it is injuries and luck. At the back end of the year we had myler, Sezer injured and Austin left the club. If you took field, French and Harry smith out of Wigan or Welsby, lomax and Dodd out of saints they would struggle.

I would say we have more rounded cover across the squad and all portion than most other sides. Wigan have significant cover in the middle, however I personally think they are a bit light in the halves and outside backs if they got some injuries there. We are light in the middle and front row. I would say we are slightly better covered in the halves and outside backs. You can’t have top quality and cover everywhere unless you have a number come from the academy and massively boost the squad.

If we could I would trade our Martin, Bentley and Donaldson for a much bigger bodied back rower and a big minute, tough carrying prop but overall very happy with our business.