Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 8:10 pm  

DaveO wrote:

If Smith is signed to replace Finch (if he leaves) that is a massive drop in quality at 6.

If he is signed to replace TL at 7 that is also a massive drop in quality at 7.

He's not as good as either player and there is no use kidding ourselves he is.

I wouldn't disagree, but what are the other options? Who would you have Lenegan sign that is as good as Leuluai or Finch?

It's a case of needs must. There aren't many quality halfbacks available right now so it's a bad time to be looking to replace the two best halfbacks in the competition but somehow they have to be replaced.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 8:15 pm  

I'll name one.
Danny Brough.

Hands down better than Smith.
If its Smith because 'needs must' then break the bloody bank for Brough.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 8:32 pm  

You can't just throw money at players though. Any fee for Brough would be pretty high. The bottom line is the club is a business too, and Lenegan has to weigh up the pros and cons of signing someone like Smith for no fee and a contract under £100k per year or pay between £200-400k for Brough with a salary over £100k per year.

While we're losing two quality players you have to look at the players other top clubs have available. Wire have Briers coming towards the end of his career and then Myler, Ratchford and O'Brien. Good, but not outstanding. Saints have two young inexperienced halves in Lomax and Gaskell and an under-performing overseas player in Hohaia.
Huddersfield have Brough who is quality and Grix who isn't. Leeds have Sinfield and McGuire but both are past their best in my opinion, although still good players.
Catalans have Dureau who is going well, Bosc who is always injured and Pryce who is also past his best.

We simply cannot replace like for like and Lenegan can't throw money at players like it's grown on trees. It's about getting the best squad for the best value.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 8:42 pm  

DaveO wrote:

If Smith is signed to replace Finch (if he leaves) that is a massive drop in quality at 6.

If he is signed to replace TL at 7 that is also a massive drop in quality at 7.

He's not as good as either player and there is no use kidding ourselves he is.

Glass completely empty again Dave?

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 8:52 pm  

tugglesf78 wrote:

Glass completely empty again Dave?

I can't stop chuckling at that!!!!

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 9:15 pm  

Cherry.Pie wrote:

You can't just throw money at players though. Any fee for Brough would be pretty high. The bottom line is the club is a business too, and Lenegan has to weigh up the pros and cons of signing someone like Smith for no fee and a contract under £100k per year or pay between £200-400k for Brough with a salary over £100k per year.

While we're losing two quality players you have to look at the players other top clubs have available. Wire have Briers coming towards the end of his career and then Myler, Ratchford and O'Brien. Good, but not outstanding. Saints have two young inexperienced halves in Lomax and Gaskell and an under-performing overseas player in Hohaia.
Huddersfield have Brough who is quality and Grix who isn't. Leeds have Sinfield and McGuire but both are past their best in my opinion, although still good players.
Catalans have Dureau who is going well, Bosc who is always injured and Pryce who is also past his best.

We simply cannot replace like for like and Lenegan can't throw money at players like it's grown on trees. It's about getting the best squad for the best value.

Interesting post. This really does show how few and and far between the SL halfback options are, and with the NRL door closing, where does that leave us?

You want my take - we buy Smith and do our damndest to keep Finch.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 9:21 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

Interesting post. This really does show how few and and far between the SL halfback options are, and with the NRL door closing, where does that leave us?

You want my take - we buy Smith and do our damndest to keep Finch.

And if we can't keep Finch then we could do a lot worse than Gaskell.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 9:28 pm  

tugglesf78 wrote:

Glass completely empty again Dave?

Wasn't DaveO one of those who was saying that Tommy L wasn't really a scrum half but a hooker, and that Higham was a better hooker than Piggy, oh and don't forget his other love child Ainscough!!!!!!

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 9:38 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Wasn't DaveO one of those who was saying that Tommy L wasn't really a scrum half but a hooker, and that Higham was a better hooker than Piggy, oh and don't forget his other love child Ainscough!!!!!!

I think Leuluai is a much better 9 than a scrum half.

People are underestimating just how dominant our pack has been this year. Smith is a good player. He's not a world beater, but he won't have to be behind our current pack.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 9:59 pm  

DaveO wrote:

If Smith is signed to replace Finch (if he leaves) that is a massive drop in quality at 6.

If he is signed to replace TL at 7 that is also a massive drop in quality at 7.

He's not as good as either player and there is no use kidding ourselves he is.

But he will bring something we have not had in a while a good kicking game we have struggled for years with it