Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:26 pm  

Before Tomkins re-signed we were crying out for an experienced 2nd rower but now I think we're fine for forwards unless Taylor goes.

Tomkins, Farrell, Bateman, lockers, Hughes, Burke, Connor Farrell, Hopkins and lever as back rowers.

Taylor, flower, Crosby, Clubb, tautai, Pettybourne, Dudson, greenwood, Sutton and Austin as props.

That's 19 players for a maximum of 9 positions.

The major question marks for next season are the long term stand off and centres

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:30 pm  

WARRIORCRAIG wrote:

Before Tomkins re-signed we were crying out for an experienced 2nd rower but now I think we're fine for forwards unless Taylor goes.

Tomkins, Farrell, Bateman, lockers, Hughes, Burke, Connor Farrell, Hopkins and lever as back rowers.

Taylor, flower, Crosby, Clubb, tautai, Pettybourne, Dudson, greenwood, Sutton and Austin as props.

That's 19 players for a maximum of 9 positions.

The major question marks for next season are the long term stand off and centres

Completely agree. Even if Taylor leaves it's not a bad set of props.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 22, 2014 6:39 am  

It's all on Taylor IMO. If he goes then we simply have to buy a starting prop with proven quality because we're losing our best one. If he stays though we're sorted in that position and hopefully that'll be the case for a number of years.

I'm also happy with our stand off options. We're lucky to have three youngsters fighting for the one spot so it's not like we're heaping a load of pressure on just one which would be a mistake.

The only position I still think we'd need if Taylor stays is a centre. I don't think Sarginson or Gelling are naturals in the position and Thornley still has a bit to prove. A suggested move for Ben Crooks would be outstanding IMO and would finish the squad off very nicely.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:57 pm  

[Gareth] wrote:

Only 1 2nd row we ahould look to sign and thats elliot whitehead

WHY?

how would he fit into our squad?

Just because someone scores a few tries (some of the worst defence i have ever seen this weekend) doesn't make him better than Farrell, Bateman and Tomkins.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:20 am  

Iain Thornley to Hull K.R.?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 23, 2014 8:59 am  

jimlav wrote:

WHY?

how would he fit into our squad?

Just because someone scores a few tries (some of the worst defence i have ever seen this weekend) doesn't make him better than Farrell, Bateman and Tomkins.

I would see him as a replacement for Hughes as, imo, he simply isnt good enough for Wigan. And at no point have i said that Whitehead is better than Farrell, Bateman or Tomkins

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:20 am  

Personally I would stick with Hughes. Earlier in the season I did not see a future for him with us. I felt his performances actually declined over the last few years probably partly due to being shifted about and not getting a decent run.

However since the resigning of Tomkins he seems to have kicked on again when given a chance and I think 1 more season may be the making of him. He must impress though if he has a long term future.

I feel it is essential to run with 3 top class backrow forwards and 1 strong support backrow who would be a starter in most teams out of the top 3. Hughes if he continues his recent upturn is ideally suited to that and he will get plenty of game time with injuries rotation and suspensions etc.

He seems to be back to a more dynamic pack player which was always his strength but seemed to get lost along the way.

Whitehead is in my opinion certainly one to keep an eye on. All the makings of a top class player who could also make the move comfortably to loose or Prop.

It's all about squad management and if we had cap space and he became available I would be disappointed if we did not go for him,

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 23, 2014 6:45 pm  

Alex Mc wrote:

Iain Thornley to Hull K.R.?

you have just signed Goulding so i doubt it.


It looks like Taylor is 100% staying.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:36 pm  

[Gareth] wrote:

I would see him as a replacement for Hughes as, imo, he simply isnt good enough for Wigan. And at no point have i said that Whitehead is better than Farrell, Bateman or Tomkins

Fair enough, but its not feasible in a salary cap sport to have a player like Whitehead as a player who would be sitting out if everyone is fit!

Hughes may not be good enough, but Connor Farrell may well be. I certainly would not be against him having a year as the rotation 2nd row (playing about 1/2 the games, but L.Farrell, Tomkins & Bateman playing when it counts).

I always say with these young players, they have (23 next year) 27 games to get up to speed with first team rugby. After that they should be judged. If Farrell can be a solid first teamer going into the split into 8's (terrible idea by the way) then we are in a strong position.

Liam Farrell did it, played from easter to the end of the regular season, then was good in a GF winning team. Same with Charnley a season later (although we didn't win the GF, just the CC cup final). Burgess is doing it this year, along with williams, who was being slated as not good enough a few weeks ago, but with time to settle in and express himself is playing excellent and hopefully it continues through the business end of the season.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:50 pm  

Shopping list... http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/the-exit-of-five-star-players-from-the-manly-sea-eagles-could-see-a-great-football-team-dismantled/story-e6frf3ru-1226996725050?sv=ab8a7e1dfe19b827933228b68ae96d48&nk=07ae444c12356993c3f5a0172adf60a8 The exit of five star players from the Manly Sea Eagles could see a great football team dismantled...

Shopping list... http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/the-exit-of-five-star-players-from-the-manly-sea-eagles-could-see-a-great-football-team-dismantled/story-e6frf3ru-1226996725050?sv=ab8a7e1dfe19b827933228b68ae96d48&nk=07ae444c12356993c3f5a0172adf60a8 The exit of five star players from the Manly Sea Eagles could see a great football team dismantled...