Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jun 16, 2023 5:45 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

We can’t forget how many forwards we’ve had missing when discussing all these issues with size, aggression etc. Around that run of Leigh, Saints and Wire, nobody was questioning the pack really. To have Cooper, Singleton, Havard, Ellis, Cooper, Isa and KPP out at various points (and 4 or 5 of them at a time) has really hurt us and I get the question marks against the forwards recently but it’s been a tough trot.

We do need to add some power and quality for sure but I agree with the above, it isn’t all about size because if it was, Mago would be a great player. I’d love to get a forward in for this season but just to get lads like Havard and then KPP/Isa back will really help.

That would help this season but going forward we still need changes, Singleton is ok nothing more, Cooper if he recovers from his injury is at the end of his career and Havard for all his work rate is not that aggressive, same with Ellis. We really are lacking a powerful front rower who can punch holes, our pack is too easy to defend against. Also it looks like Singleton is leaving, so is KPP so we will need replacements anyway and Mago should be as well so we need at least one prop in (or 2) and possibly a second row as well. Ideally we need someone with experience not another project signing with Cooper out long term we lack a pack leader - something we we have for quite a long time.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jun 16, 2023 5:56 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

We can’t forget how many forwards we’ve had missing when discussing all these issues with size, aggression etc. Around that run of Leigh, Saints and Wire, nobody was questioning the pack really. To have Cooper, Singleton, Havard, Ellis, Cooper, Isa and KPP out at various points (and 4 or 5 of them at a time) has really hurt us and I get the question marks against the forwards recently but it’s been a tough trot.

We do need to add some power and quality for sure but I agree with the above, it isn’t all about size because if it was, Mago would be a great player. I’d love to get a forward in for this season but just to get lads like Havard and then KPP/Isa back will really help.

Yep, the injuries have been critical but the timing of the Bateman departure also hurt us to a degree.

I think we will see a difference on Sunday but looking to next year I think somebody like Thompson could be great for the likes of Havard, Nsemba etc.

The half back issue/goal kicking issue remains a bit of a puzzle to me but one that needs solving.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jun 16, 2023 7:00 pm  

exiled Warrior wrote:

That would help this season but going forward we still need changes, Singleton is ok nothing more, Cooper if he recovers from his injury is at the end of his career and Havard for all his work rate is not that aggressive, same with Ellis. We really are lacking a powerful front rower who can punch holes, our pack is too easy to defend against. Also it looks like Singleton is leaving, so is KPP so we will need replacements anyway and Mago should be as well so we need at least one prop in (or 2) and possibly a second row as well. Ideally we need someone with experience not another project signing with Cooper out long term we lack a pack leader - something we we have for quite a long time.

I do agree, I’m just pointing out we can’t ignore players being absent when we say the pack isn’t good enough currently. In terms of next year, we hopefully have Walters sorted and I still think we need at least two, powerful, experienced forwards alongside him. Singleton and Mago aren’t good enough and we need improvements in the pair of them.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Jun 17, 2023 6:22 am  

CobraCraig wrote:

Dupree isn’t a big prop, nor is Thompson really, very athletic though.
I don’t buy this clamour for big units, first and foremost they’ve got to be able to play. Look at Mago, he’s one of the biggest players in the league and look how that’s working out.

Big doesn’t mean big puddings. Big in my eyes isn’t fat it’s 6ft 5 and well built maybe even leanish like a Walmesley or a Peacock.

The best prop in the World in my books is Christian Welch for Melbourne and he is perfect for what we need, he would lead our pack. He is on £225,000 a year, he’s admitted his salary is 425,00 aus dollars, I think he’s affordable with Batemans salary.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Jun 17, 2023 8:18 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

I do agree, I’m just pointing out we can’t ignore players being absent when we say the pack isn’t good enough currently. In terms of next year, we hopefully have Walters sorted and I still think we need at least two, powerful, experienced forwards alongside him. Singleton and Mago aren’t good enough and we need improvements in the pair of them.

My concern with Walters is due to his build.

He obviously has the height and the frame but he is still fairly slight.

Watched him last week closely against Trinity and he was pretty ineffective as the shorter opposition forwards were able to hit under/around the ball and put him on his back.

We need to bulk him in the offseason if he is to be utilised as a prop. I just wonder why Leeds have not done so.

I was thinking he should focus on him as a secondrow but I think he lacks the athleticism to play at the top level on an edge.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Jun 17, 2023 11:04 am  

post wrote:

Big doesn’t mean big puddings. Big in my eyes isn’t fat it’s 6ft 5 and well built maybe even leanish like a Walmesley or a Peacock.

The best prop in the World in my books is Christian Welch for Melbourne and he is perfect for what we need, he would lead our pack. He is on £225,000 a year, he’s admitted his salary is 425,00 aus dollars, I think he’s affordable with Batemans salary.

Welch was quite heavily linked with us a few years ago, he’s gone from strength to strength since.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Jun 17, 2023 12:31 pm  

The more I watch Tyler Dupree the happier I get that they turned down our offer. He is average at best

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Jun 17, 2023 1:24 pm  

jonh wrote:

My concern with Walters is due to his build.

He obviously has the height and the frame but he is still fairly slight.

Watched him last week closely against Trinity and he was pretty ineffective as the shorter opposition forwards were able to hit under/around the ball and put him on his back.

We need to bulk him in the offseason if he is to be utilised as a prop. I just wonder why Leeds have not done so.

I was thinking he should focus on him as a secondrow but I think he lacks the athleticism to play at the top level on an edge.

Wouldn't be like Wigan to sign a player who is neither one thing or another would it?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Jun 17, 2023 3:21 pm  

If Walters replaces Ramon Silva as 7th choice prop and play in the reserves or out on loan then fine.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Jun 18, 2023 6:46 pm  

post wrote:

If Walters replaces Ramon Silva as 7th choice prop and play in the reserves or out on loan then fine.

Walters will be in the match day squad when fit im almost sure of it, most clubs in the league wanted him and he will be on a decent screw so there is zero chance he is seen as a replacement for Silva. As others have said I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays second row for us.