: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:35 pm  

Ed the Pom wrote:

Crookes isn't the best defender either. It's a problem he's had during all of his academy time. If he worked with a defensive minded coach it's a problem which could be fixed.

Thats why I'd pin my hopes on Crookes rather than Sykes for a longer term solution at Centre. He's young enough to improve, I don't think Sykes has too much more room for improvement in his defence. But I'd like to think good coaching could mitigate his flaws and focus the attention elsewhere.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:42 pm  

Terry Monster wrote:

God not Evans. We need strike, not mediocrity.

Evans was one of the most consistent and reliable players we had last year. Unfortunately we have now become the definition of mediocrity, which is apparently required when you're building for the future, and therefore it is extremely unlikely that we'll get a decent halfback, hooker and centre. If Evans were available I'd welcome him back, I still have fond memories of his last minute try in the centenary game against Leeds.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:53 pm  

anarkik wrote:

Evans was one of the most consistent and reliable players we had last year. Unfortunately we have now become the definition of mediocrity, which is apparently required when you're building for the future, and therefore it is extremely unlikely that we'll get a decent halfback, hooker and centre. If Evans were available I'd welcome him back, I still have fond memories of his last minute try in the centenary game against Leeds.

That is true, but he still doesnt provide the strike we need

Evans was just another dull signing like most of Steve McNamaras others. Signings of this type are fine for back up, not when you're serious about mounting a title challenge though.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:53 pm  

Terry Monster wrote:

God not Evans. We need strike, not mediocrity.

Well like I say, he's not international class but he was a good performer during his time here. I'd settle for a Mr Consistent like Evans right now.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:55 pm  

Duckman wrote:

Thats why I'd pin my hopes on Crookes rather than Sykes for a longer term solution at Centre. He's young enough to improve, I don't think Sykes has too much more room for improvement in his defence. But I'd like to think good coaching could mitigate his flaws and focus the attention elsewhere.

IMO if Sykes was working with a strong defensive coach a lot of the problem he has would have been fixed. But unfortunatly our current coaching team seem to be unable to fix the problem. That's why I don't hold out any hope of them helping Crookes.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:58 pm  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

Well like I say, he's not international class but he was a good performer during his time here. I'd settle for a Mr Consistent like Evans right now.

Settling for mediocrity, that's just it with us isn't it over the past few years.
It's running from the very top of the club right through to the fans.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:01 pm  

Terry Monster wrote:

Settling for mediocrity, that's just it with us isn't it over the past few years.
It's running from the very top of the club right through to the fans.

And yet you're a fan of a very inconsistent Newton, bizarre logic you have sometimes.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:05 pm  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

And yet you're a fan of a very inconsistent Newton, bizarre logic you have sometimes.

But Newton isn't inconsistent. God knows which games you watch. Obviously not many featuring the Bulls though.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:06 pm  

Terry Monster wrote:

But Newton isn't inconsistent. God knows which games you watch. Obviously not many featuring the Bulls though.

Don't miss many, I suggest you watch the players rather than look out for the 'star' name.

: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:07 pm  

Terry Monster wrote:

That is true, but he still doesnt provide the strike we need

Evans was just another dull signing like most of Steve McNamaras others. Signings of this type are fine for back up, not when you're serious about mounting a title challenge though.

This is why we need the productive junior system so much, we need to fill a SL squad with enough quality and experience to compete, spliting a finite cap amoungst our first team squad made up mainly of players brought in, often older/more experienced players who command a certain level of wage, or "signings of this type" as you put it.

Whereas someone like Leeds for example can put youngsters like Hall on the wing and he's got the quailty to be top try scorer and he's taking up cap space possibly half that of Sheriffe (likely to change when they upgrade his youngsters contract mind!) Spending less on home grown players like Hall and others to fill out the first team squad allows them to spend more on their marque signings and so the squad as a whole looks to be better value for the cap money as the quality of players like Hall dosent match the cap allocated, the same can be said for other teams with productive youth systems - Saints and wigan are also good at this, which is why ours needs (and seems to be getting) serious attention, but not to the extreme detriment of the first team.

With all that unasked for rant out of the way, I'd still take Evans next year with Nero whilst we develop our own Centre talent, and I suspect he would be available too.