Now that Gower is gone, securing talent is primary. : Sun Jun 09, 2013 10:07 pm
The tragic departure of Craig Gower has freed up a chunk of money previously committed, and left a gap below the salary cap maximum spending that can be filled.First, there are now no excuses for London to lose its scarce remaining talent, especially Chris Bailey, in 2014. If there is to be any rebuilding of the club's player roster, Bailey should be part of it.
The same applies to Tony Clubb, especially if the rumours of the predatory St. Helens advances on him are true.
To a lesser extent this point applies to Sarginson as well, though I agree with those who have pointed out his failings in defence and his failure to pass the ball to his wingers.
London can survive the loss of Sarginson, but it will not stop the on field free fall if it doesn't have Bailey and Clubb.
Kieran Dixon needs to be secured beyond 2014, assuming that the club continues in Super League beyond 2014.
However the most important and urgent problem in terms of the player roster that has to be addressed is finding a new and capable scrum half. How that can be realized is hard to fathom, because there is such a scarcity of good scrum halves (Luke Walsh, just purchased by St Helens, is a mediocrity except for his field and goal kicking).
One possibility: if Scott Dureau returns to good health, might there be a chance of snaring Thomas Bosc?