[Bullseye]

Blimey - What have this lot got in common? : Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:26 pm  

Paul Sykes
Semi Tadulala
Ben Jeffries
Terry Newton
Andy Lynch
Steve Menzies
Glenn Morrison
Matt Cook
Dave Halley
Matt James
David Solomona
James Donaldson
Andy Tate
Duane Straugheir

When I realised it was a bit of a concern.

Re: Blimey - What have this lot got in common? : Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:28 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

Paul Sykes
Semi Tadulala
Ben Jeffries
Terry Newton
Andy Lynch
Steve Menzies
Glenn Morrison
Matt Cook
Dave Halley
Matt James
David Solomona
James Donaldson
Andy Tate
Duane Straugheir

When I realised it was a bit of a concern.

Are they all out f contract at the end of the year?

[Bullseye]

Re: Blimey - What have this lot got in common? : Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:49 pm  

neilo86 wrote:

Are they all out f contract at the end of the year?

Correct!

Quite a few eh?

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:04 pm  

I would imagine that Morro, Menzies and probably Solomona will probably leave. That leaves a hell of a lot of cap space. Hope we keep Cook. He is starting to become quite good!

[Bullseye]

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:40 pm  

I too think Cook has come good. He's definitely a priority to keep. Credit to him for plugging away and working on his game, especially when a few of us wrote him off.

Like you I expect Morrison and Menzies to retire. However I am a bit concerned about losing those two senior players at once. Last year we suffered without Morrison when he was injured and as pack leader he'd leave a big hole. We'll have a similar situation with Menzies I reckon. Solo I expect will be allowed to move on.

Looking at the list I'd like to see us re-sign the younger players including Halley and James. Matt Cook's example shows that the younger players are worth some patience.

The lack of talent in the backs means we need to re-sign Sykes too. I would expect us to re-sign Lynch and Newton too.

We should have a heap of space under the cap so would like to see us looking at bringing in at least three quality players, primarily a halfback, a centre and backrower. Cook and Worrincy are likely to be longer term prospects with the younger kids coming through so we look strongish long term in the backrow. Time to use any cash on the much weaker areas in the halfbacks and threequarters.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:45 pm  

id recon sykes , lynch and cook will be sorted and annouced around mid-season

think
tad, jeffries and the young un's will have to see how this season pans out

beaver, morrison and sol , think it would have to be one hell of a season to use a overseas space on them next year

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:49 pm  

Could Moimoi be back in the frame for next season?

(Presuming he's been a good boy off the pitch).

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:59 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

Like you I expect Morrison and Menzies to retire. However I am a bit concerned about losing those two senior players at once. Last year we suffered without Morrison when he was injured and as pack leader he'd leave a big hole. We'll have a similar situation with Menzies I reckon. Solo I expect will be allowed to move on.

There certainly does seem to be a correlation between age and quality in the Bradford back-row. Arguably a short-sighted recruitment policy if they all retire or leave at the same time, unless Burgess is seen as a long-term back-rower as opposed to prop.

Wouldn't mind seeing Lynch in a Leeds shirt though

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:17 pm  

Trimalchio wrote:

There certainly does seem to be a correlation between age and quality in the Bradford back-row. Arguably a short-sighted recruitment policy if they all retire or leave at the same time, unless Burgess is seen as a long-term back-rower as opposed to prop.

Wouldn't mind seeing Lynch in a Leeds shirt though

Is it his turn for that rumour this season?

[Bullseye]

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:45 pm  

Think Jeffries needs to extract the digit if he's to get a new contract. That said a new halfback pairing would take time to settle as would a new backrow and backline. The key will be to minimise disruption as it'll take time for a lot of players to settle. I hope the club learns from past mistakes in recruitment and we go for quality where possible. The current backline is seriously lacking in cutting edge and the halfbacks aren't looking too hot either. Any decent halfback prospects in the U21s or U18s?

Looks potentially like a lot of upheaval in the playing staff to come. We could really do with some of the youngsters to come through so we can get some long term continuity so we aren;t doing this every few years. Donaldson is seen as the long term option for loose forward I think. There's a few other like Tate and Olbison earmarked for the second row IIRC so I hope they come through. In the front row things look healthier where Scruton, Burgess, Kopczak and Crossley look quite strong. Lynch has plenty left in him too.

Thinking about it I wouldn't be surprised to see Morrison or Menzies get another year provided they're still fit and up for it.