Re: OUT 2022 | Konrad Hurrell - St Helens : Tue Sep 07, 2021 9:14 am  

KaeruJim wrote:

If we push Tet up front more; Mik, Holroyd, Prior, Tet is not a bad set with Smith at 13.

One more high-quality addition gives us the flexibility to swap Prior or Tet back to 13 if needed, and gives cover for inevitable injuries.

Everyone else has said it too but we need a really strong ball carrier who can punch holes in the opposition. That would take a lot of pressure off the young players and hopefully allow a more even spread of the work, and lessen the risk of injuries.

At this stage in our development and title-winning ambition, I just do not see the point of any more senior squad-filler signings. We have some great young players at the club. We already have Austin, Myler, Donaldson, Thompson and maybe even Mellor without an obvious starting place next year.

I agree with this.

I think now is the time to do what we did in 2003/2004 and put the faith in youth.

I didn't think it was right to do this at the start of last year as I did't think they were quite ready but I think players like Holroyd, Broadbent, Gannon have served their apprenticeship and should be starters, I know Gannon is very Young but I think he looks like one of those players that just look ready for it even at his young age.

Re: OUT 2022 | Konrad Hurrell - St Helens : Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:12 am  

christopher wrote:

I agree with this.

I think now is the time to do what we did in 2003/2004 and put the faith in youth.

I didn't think it was right to do this at the start of last year as I did't think they were quite ready but I think players like Holroyd, Broadbent, Gannon have served their apprenticeship and should be starters, I know Gannon is very Young but I think he looks like one of those players that just look ready for it even at his young age.

Agree, and I also think we have enough depth to have a Tony Smith 2004 forward rotation, keep everyone fresh and avoids burnout leading to injuries.

Re: OUT 2022 | Konrad Hurrell - St Helens : Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:25 am  

christopher wrote:

I agree with this.

I think now is the time to do what we did in 2003/2004 and put the faith in youth.

I didn't think it was right to do this at the start of last year as I did't think they were quite ready but I think players like Holroyd, Broadbent, Gannon have served their apprenticeship and should be starters, I know Gannon is very Young but I think he looks like one of those players that just look ready for it even at his young age.

We’ve got some fantastic young players who are all ready to play Super League regularly, Jack Walker 22, Harry Newman 22, Jack Broadbent 19, Cameron Smith 22, Mikolaj Oledski 23, Tom Holroyd 20, Morgan Gannon 17. Then Sam Walters, Jarrod O’Connor, Liam Tindall, Corey Hall, Levi Edwards who have potential but would probably benefit from spending most of the 2022 season on loan in the Championship imo.

We still need another prop imo, we’ve got 4 quality props, but if 1 or 2 get injured which is inevitable we are short up front. You’ve gotta have strength and quality outside the first choice 17 to compete near the top of the table, some we look to have especially if we bring in a prop.

1 Richie Myler
2 Tom Briscoe
3 Harry Newman
4 Liam Sutcliffe
5 Ash Handley
6 Luke Gale
7 Aidan Sezer
8 Mikolaj Oledski
9 Kruise Leeming
10 Matt Prior
11 Alex Mellor
12 Rhyse Martin
13 Zane Tetevano

14 Brad Dwyer
15 Tom Holroyd
16 James Bentley
17 Cameron Smith
18 Blake Austin

19 *New Prop to replace King Vuniyayawa
20 Bodene Thompson
21 Jack Broadbent
22 Jack Walker
22 Sam Walters
23 Morgan Gannon
24 Luke Briscoe (if retained)
25 James Donaldson
26 Jarrod O’Connor

Re: OUT 2022 | Konrad Hurrell - St Helens : Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:26 am  

rollin thunder wrote:

Agree, and I also think we have enough depth to have a Tony Smith 2004 forward rotation, keep everyone fresh and avoids burnout leading to injuries.

Can’t say I agree with this, you play your strongest squad unless a player is injured (injuries will always happen so you still need quality depth to a squad) it’s not u12’s where you let everyone have a turn, the best man for the job takes the field.

Re: OUT 2022 | Konrad Hurrell - St Helens : Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:47 am  

No, there has to be a medium-term view of things. Flogging the same team every week (if we were able to, unlikely) increases their chances of injury and certainly leaves them with less in the tank come the business end of the season. The coach has to play a long game, when it's possible. This is even more the case with the younger players like Gannon.

Re: OUT 2022 | Konrad Hurrell - St Helens : Tue Sep 07, 2021 11:11 am  

I think in reality the coach is selecting every week from players who are either carrying little knocks, or hiding bigger injuries. You have to make constant decisions around where a player is too broken, and whether a less able/strong/experienced player with more energy will contribute more to a game than a busted mature player.

Bottom line is IMO we have enough mature cover players at the club (probably too many). For example, L Briscoe has been great this year, I don't have a problem with him - but next year I'd rather Broadbent or Tindall got their chance. Not as strong, not as experienced, but have strengths in other areas and need exposure in order to invest in our future as a team.

Again I have no idea what real budget we have but I'd rather see us only signing high quality now. Sign players who are a good chance of a starting shirt, who bring something we don't currently have, or save the money. I wouldn't sign a squad player from outside the club unless it was another good young talent.

Re: OUT 2022 | Konrad Hurrell - St Helens : Tue Sep 07, 2021 11:37 am  

If you never try, you never know. Play the kids.

Re: OUT 2022 | Konrad Hurrell - St Helens : Tue Sep 07, 2021 2:06 pm  

Sir Kevin Sinfield wrote:

Can’t say I agree with this, you play your strongest squad unless a player is injured (injuries will always happen so you still need quality depth to a squad) it’s not u12’s where you let everyone have a turn, the best man for the job takes the field.

Maybe start with your strongest squad, but any player getting a bit burned out or carry anything other than a minor knock should not be risked if you have solid cover, and if you are prepared to drop/rest players are are a bit under performing its great for competition for places. Tony Smith was never afraid to make the tough choices neither was Graham Murray.

Re: OUT 2022 | Konrad Hurrell - St Helens : Tue Sep 07, 2021 2:22 pm  

Sir Kevin Sinfield wrote:

Can’t say I agree with this, you play your strongest squad unless a player is injured (injuries will always happen so you still need quality depth to a squad) it’s not u12’s where you let everyone have a turn, the best man for the job takes the field.

I think there is a need for rotation especially in the front row.Prior will be 35 next season he will benefit from a week of as will all the props.We should go with four props from five per game and rest one if injuries allow.

Re: OUT 2022 | Konrad Hurrell - St Helens : Tue Sep 07, 2021 2:33 pm  

Can anyone name the last time one of our starting 13 wasn’t injured but was left out to be rested? It doesn’t happen because it’s madness, every 2 league points count so you put your strongest team available on the pitch each week.