Re: Comparison with Wigan 17 : Mon Oct 14, 2024 10:29 am  

Totally right. We have lost Nicholson & Drinkwater. Only time will tell if Russell & Leyland can fill their boots.

Re: Comparison with Wigan 17 : Mon Oct 14, 2024 10:34 am  

And Bateman.

Re: Comparison with Wigan 17 : Mon Oct 14, 2024 10:39 am  

Again, the risk is in assuming that all the players we have retained provide the exact same performance in 2025 as they did in 2024. It assumes strengthening only happens through signings.

If Wrench or Tai, and Holroyd or Whitehead, improve by the same factor as Dufty and Currie did between 2023 and 2024, we will have strengthened. Obviously the challenge is on the coaching team to deliver that.

Re: Comparison with Wigan 17 : Mon Oct 14, 2024 10:42 am  

On the plus side Holroyd's improvement ought to continue. The concern will be how Fitzgibbon will recover.

Re: Comparison with Wigan 17 : Mon Oct 14, 2024 11:28 am  

Smiffy27 wrote:

On the plus side Holroyd's improvement ought to continue. The concern will be how Fitzgibbon will recover.

Can only hope the surgeon and the club are confident with the recovery/rehab and that barring other injuries or suspension we can get a full season from him.

Re: Comparison with Wigan 17 : Mon Oct 14, 2024 12:33 pm  

I must admit to currently feeling a bit flat about our prospects for next season. I think this year has been really good, and there's no reason to believe that we won't go well again in 2025, but do I see us being better than Wigan? No.
Unfortunately, I think Wigan are going to dominate for a few seasons, and if we want to seriously and consistently challenge them, we need to be making signings on a completely different level to Leyland, Russell and the RU Sevens mystery man, who feel more like Steve Anderson era acquisitions to me. In addition, I echo Wires71's concerns that the Vegas sideshow and its aftermath will likely harm our league prospects.
Sorry to be a downer, and I obviously hope I'm completely wrong and end up with egg on my face, but 2025 just feels like it's going to be a bit of a 'treading water' kind of season.

Re: Comparison with Wigan 17 : Mon Oct 14, 2024 1:19 pm  

Smiffy27 wrote:

On the plus side Holroyd's improvement ought to continue. The concern will be how Fitzgibbon will recover.

Holroyd has already shown he has ferocious defence to his game. Whether or not that is sustainable at 14 stone is another thing. I hope he's able to really pile the bulk on this close season.

Fitzgibbon, if fit, is arguably the best all round second rower in the league so I hope he makes a full recovery. We can't afford to have a top level quota player out with injury for too long.

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: Comparison with Wigan 17 : Mon Oct 14, 2024 4:32 pm  

I know you can't attribute one single thing to us not winning the gf this year, but im gonna do that right now.

Fitzgibbon's back and shoulder injury (2 things ok)

I'm almost 100% certain that if he stays fully fit we've got enough in attack to win big games.

Just think how effective that was early season, dufty and Ashton have still been but add fitz's hands back into that,

Re: Comparison with Wigan 17 : Mon Oct 14, 2024 5:58 pm  

Wires71 wrote:

I wanted to compare the 2024 GF winning side, with our side that lost at Hull KR. In bold are those players I believe are more effective in their position.

So maybe we are not that far off in playing talent after all.

Dufty Field - very close, but edging Dufty on the basis of this season.
Thewlis, Miski - I have these equal. Solid wingers.
Tai, Keighran - Solid centre if not great but good kicker. Some attacking skills.
King, Wardle - No contest for overall centre play and can do everything King can.
Ashton; Marshall - Raw pace and finishing. He would be leading try scorer playing for Wigan.
Williams, French - A freak of RL one of the best players in the World currently, against our best player
Drinkwater; Smith - No contest
Vaughan, Havard - Vaughan when he is not having a titty lip.
Walker, Leeming - Edge towards Walker for work rate and kicking.
Harrison, Thompson - He was superb last night, played all first half.
Bateman, Farrell - I have these level.
Nicholson, Nsemba - Nsemba is going to be an absolute star.
Currie. Ellis - Currie has had a great season.

Powell, Forber
Yates Dupree - Defensive titan. A really good signing.
Crowther, Byrne - Size
Philbin Mago - Real impact.


It backs up my view we need to strengthen right centre (Lindop?), scrum half and 2nd row.

Thewlis over Miski clearly.
Marshall over Ashton just.
Williams over French. There is more to Williams complete game than that of French.