Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2016 4:23 pm  

jonh wrote:

According to Wane ww may be looking to recruit a hooker to counter the MM injury. Bob Beswick being mentioned.

Surely for the love of God we have eyes on the ground in the NRL scouting better options than this!

I see no point in bringing someone in if it is just for this season. We are screaming out for a quality 2nd hooker, so lets target one rather than a stop gap who wasn't good enough for us first time around.

Agreed - the club's philosophy seems to be that we can "make do" with Powell in the 2nd hooker role. Last year we made do with Williams and they shared the role.

Mind you, we've been 'making do' in the centres and props for a few years now...

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2016 4:28 pm  

I'm with you on this Cruncher. I'm delighted to have Sam and Joel back but even with them there still seems something not quite right. Position wise, I'd love us to go for a half back. I know Smith has his good points and has some good games but I just don't see him creating enough for us to be the top dog. Williams at least tries to take on the line, sometimes too often but probably because Smith doesn't do it.

A big athletic centre perhaps? A big, aggressive, long minutes prop?

We're not far off but someone to bring some magic!!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2016 10:33 pm  

Interesting at Hull FC. They have 2 big props in Chris Green and Josh Bowden battling it out for a position at the club having spent top dollar on foreign talent. Both are out of contract this year. Josh Bowden is just in front of Chris Green at the moment. Could be worth watching.

Ben Murdoch-Masila (sp) only signed a one year deal with Salford. Massive unit who has looked impressive so far. I know we've signed Willie Isa this year. Could be worth looking at.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2016 10:39 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

Chester wouldn't be my choice but we do desperately need a new backs/half backs coach.
Each week it's the same old, same old.
No new moves or plays just the same old routine stuff.

Agreed. My suggestion of Chester was more to see if people felt we needed fresh ideas/input for the side. As well as support to Shaun Wane. We have John Winder and Steve McCormack (sp) at the moment. I don't see the fresh ideas coming from them.

Phil Clarke made an interesting comment on Sky. He said he thought Wigan were missing Paul Deacon as their attacking coach. I agree with him. Who do we sign though?

One player I would be monitoring is Kevin Sinfield. The initial thought is obviously that Leeds will be all over him, but I was surprised Peacock did not join their backroom staff. You never know. Tactically astute as a player. Very well respected. I would not mind having George Williams and Ryan Hampshire working with him every day.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2016 10:43 pm  

jonh wrote:

According to Wane ww may be looking to recruit a hooker to counter the MM injury. Bob Beswick being mentioned.

Surely for the love of God we have eyes on the ground in the NRL scouting better options than this!

I see no point in bringing someone in if it is just for this season. We are screaming out for a quality 2nd hooker, so lets target one rather than a stop gap who wasn't good enough for us first time around.

It is an area to strengthen definitely. Just a matter of who do we sign? Who is available?

Whoever we go for, we could do with some real pace and acceleration at hooker. Sam Powell lacks speed. McIlorum I only wish he was blessed with that half a yards extra speed off the mark.

Brad Dwyer at Warrington when I have seen him causes absolute havoc when he comes on.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 26, 2016 9:33 am  

cadoo wrote:

Agreed. My suggestion of Chester was more to see if people felt we needed fresh ideas/input for the side. As well as support to Shaun Wane. We have John Winder and Steve McCormack (sp) at the moment. I don't see the fresh ideas coming from them.

Phil Clarke made an interesting comment on Sky. He said he thought Wigan were missing Paul Deacon as their attacking coach. I agree with him. Who do we sign though?

One player I would be monitoring is Kevin Sinfield. The initial thought is obviously that Leeds will be all over him, but I was surprised Peacock did not join their backroom staff. You never know. Tactically astute as a player. Very well respected. I would not mind having George Williams and Ryan Hampshire working with him every day.

I personally think Deacon was part of the problem before he left. This time last year the skills and attacking options weren't superior to know.

I know I sound like a broken record, but the best option we should be looking at is Tommy Leulaui. Fills anot immediate need as a player and could be combine his role with that of a backs coach as well.

Ironically he could be a Deacon type signing.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 26, 2016 9:48 am  

cadoo wrote:

Ben Murdoch-Masila (sp)

First Indian player in SL if you listen to those 2 twonks on sky

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 26, 2016 1:10 pm  

cadoo wrote:

Interesting at Hull FC. They have 2 big props in Chris Green and Josh Bowden battling it out for a position at the club having spent top dollar on foreign talent. Both are out of contract this year. Josh Bowden is just in front of Chris Green at the moment. Could be worth watching.

Ben Murdoch-Masila (sp) only signed a one year deal with Salford. Massive unit who has looked impressive so far. I know we've signed Willie Isa this year. Could be worth looking at.

Very good going forward but a really poor defender, he missed a load of tackles last night.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 26, 2016 1:20 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I personally think Deacon was part of the problem before he left. This time last year the skills and attacking options weren't superior to know.

I know I sound like a broken record, but the best option we should be looking at is Tommy Leulaui. Fills anot immediate need as a player and could be combine his role with that of a backs coach as well.

Ironically he could be a Deacon type signing.

Loved Tommy in his heyday, but that was a long time ago, and he's struggled with form and injury
for a long time.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Feb 27, 2016 5:17 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Very good going forward but a really poor defender, he missed a load of tackles last night.

One of the highlights of the whole game on Thursday was when O'Loughlin smashed him when he was returning a drop-out.