Re: Friendly v Halifax 16th Jan : Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:21 am  

vastman wrote:

Of course, but that wasn't the comment, was it. The comment if you read it was that a 52 - 24 scoreline does not under any circumstance and regardless of attendance or not does not and never will qualify as 'Edging it', would you not agree?

With you on this Vasty.
I don't now how anyone (in their right mind) can say that when you more than double your opponents score and score 52pts is "edging it."
Unbelievable.

Re: Friendly v Halifax 16th Jan : Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:26 am  

djcool wrote:

Anyone know if they have solved the pitch issues, it was very troublesomen

As a regular visitor to The Shay when Torquay United visit, I have to say that the pitch is always a bit troublesome - probably due to it being used for RL & footie.
On one occasion it looked like that they'd had a tractor on it ploughing it up.....
Also, the far side stand was never used for safety reasons - don't know if that's still the case......
But apart from that - its a nice place to visit with the added bonus of the excellent Three Pigeons Pub just up the road from the ground.

Re: Friendly v Halifax 16th Jan : Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:27 am  

winnintrin wrote:

Really good summary for me is that..... I came away really enthused at the depth that we have. First half with our strongest (in my opinion) combinations available on the day we played some nice stuff.....

In the second half it was a merry-go-round of interchanges, and there was a good twenty minute period where Halifax really had a foothold on the pitch, but we were unsettled by interchanges (not a criticism - great opportunity for the young and new signings) and having only three or four of what I would currently consider to be regular starting or even interchange players. However, the quality is clearly there in these youngsters, and I expect a good chunk of well-deserved gametime for them this season.

With developments of the field, and then seeing this crop of youngsters playing yesterday in and amongst some of our wise old heads, I have to say I left a very happy man.

On another note, really liked the Shay, and the Fax fans were fab too. Tannoy announced 1339 in the crowd, and apparently Scott will be auctioning matchday jerseys for his testimonial, so look out for that!

What's been impressing me and to be fair has been doing for a few seasons is how composed the youngsters look against opposition that is basically superior to what they are used to.

Although some are more ready than others they all look like they are actually part of the squad, they look as if they do actually train as part of the team, this has not always been the case. In the past, the youngsters look like they have been thrown in just to see if they will sink or swim. These current players look like they are at a planned part in their development and are being supported in it. Not all will make it even the ones who look like they will may not make the final step but IMHO they are being given every possible chance.

Our current first team is probably not as strong as that of a few seasons ago but there is more depth and more importantly a bunch of young players making their way at the club who have a genuine connection to the place and hopefully with that a certain pride.

[PopTart]

Re: Friendly v Halifax 16th Jan : Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:38 am  

The thing I'm liking most is the replacements for our previously weak areas.

For me hooker has needed a new face for 2 years at least, left centre is vulnerable in a key strike position with Bill being injured and right wing has never been the same since BJB left (even though a couple have made a good go of it)

Hood, Hall and Lineham all seem to be good signings that will improve those positions.

13 is the last one for me. I'm less worried than I was when Westerman went and I think we have a number of options now but it is still a question mark.

Re: Friendly v Halifax 16th Jan : Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:04 pm  

PopTart wrote:

The thing I'm liking most is the replacements for our previously weak areas.

For me hooker has needed a new face for 2 years at least, left centre is vulnerable in a key strike position with Bill being injured and right wing has never been the same since BJB left (even though a couple have made a good go of it)

Hood, Hall and Lineham all seem to be good signings that will improve those positions.

13 is the last one for me. I'm less worried than I was when Westerman went and I think we have a number of options now but it is still a question mark.

I'm actually not worried about Westerman leaving. Mainly because I always thought he was a bit too good for his teammates. His own performances were excellent but I'm not sure he was ever truly knitted into the team and I think that's been the case a lot during his career. He's a bit of a one-man-band better suited to teams with stronger players. I may be wrong it's just how I always felt when he played,

Re: Friendly v Halifax 16th Jan : Mon Jan 17, 2022 5:13 pm  

From Trinity twitter page

We've experienced a problem with our upload of the Halifax game to Trinity TV, with picture missing from around the 50 minute mark.

We will re-upload and update when the full game is on. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Re: Friendly v Halifax 16th Jan : Mon Jan 17, 2022 5:52 pm  

vastman wrote:

I'm actually not worried about Westerman leaving. Mainly because I always thought he was a bit too good for his teammates. His own performances were excellent but I'm not sure he was ever truly knitted into the team and I think that's been the case a lot during his career. He's a bit of a one-man-band better suited to teams with stronger players. I may be wrong it's just how I always felt when he played,

I was pretty concerned when Westerman left leaving a big void at 13. At times last year he looked a different level to most of the team barring a few in my opinion. I now believe that Pitt’s will complement 13 really well, he’s a great player. Excited to see the Hall and Johnstone combination in the new season, the lad looks the part and will only get better. If Hall plays well, it’ll take a lot for Tupou to dislodge him from the starting 13. Really looking forward to the Fev friendly

Re: Friendly v Halifax 16th Jan : Mon Jan 17, 2022 6:13 pm  

Pat Bateman wrote:

I was pretty concerned when Westerman left leaving a big void at 13. At times last year he looked a different level to most of the team barring a few in my opinion. I now believe that Pitt’s will complement 13 really well, he’s a great player. Excited to see the Hall and Johnstone combination in the new season, the lad looks the part and will only get better. If Hall plays well, it’ll take a lot for Tupou to dislodge him from the starting 13. Really looking forward to the Fev friendly

I still aren’t sure on this Pitts to 13.

Tanginoa was again massively effective and played left SR again yesterday. Pitts played the full or majority of match at right second row (where he’s featured at for last few years for us).

I still think Tangi and Pitts are our best SR options. Whitbread was best forward on field at 13 yesterday too which was pleasantly surprising.” That said i do rate Batchelor and would welcome a run at right SR for him if Pitts is to get a run at 13. We certainly have options in the forwards. What a headache for Poching.

Re: Friendly v Halifax 16th Jan : Mon Jan 17, 2022 6:44 pm  

Trojan Horse wrote:

I still aren’t sure on this Pitts to 13.

Tanginoa was again massively effective and played left SR again yesterday. Pitts played the full or majority of match at right second row (where he’s featured at for last few years for us).

I still think Tangi and Pitts are our best SR options. Whitbread was best forward on field at 13 yesterday too which was pleasantly surprising.” That said i do rate Batchelor and would welcome a run at right SR for him if Pitts is to get a run at 13. We certainly have options in the forwards. What a headache for Poching.

My choice would be Tanginoa at wide left Batchelor at wide right... Whitbread (or Crowther) loose/middle and Pitts on the bench.

Re: Friendly v Halifax 16th Jan : Mon Jan 17, 2022 6:52 pm  

Whitbread looked good yesterday, but I reckon him, Fifita, Arona and Battye will be the starting props. Tanginoa and Pitts are our 2 best second rowers. Walker or Crowther at 13 for me. Walker from the bench could also cover at hooker as well.