Re: Nine players confirmed to be leaving ,how many replaceme : Thu Sep 01, 2022 12:26 pm  

FOREVERTRIN wrote:

After mention on here of the possible signing of Taylor I watched him closely against Cas.Big strong LF who is Salfords defensive linchpin and captain.Played nearly all the game and was very impressive in defence but didn't see much of the ball in attack so not sure about that side of his game.

I have seen quite a bit of him and I think you have called it about right. At Cas he was playing in the second at
row channel but usually plays in the middle at LF. Great defensive organiser and good tackler and that looks his game.
However 33yrs at start of next season, just wonder how long his contract will be.

Re: Nine players confirmed to be leaving ,how many replaceme : Thu Sep 01, 2022 1:03 pm  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Here’s my thoughts. Recruitment needs to be absolutely bang on.

The two number one signings must be a halfback and a prop forward in the enforcer mould.

We also need a couple of second row forwards and some cover for centre/full back.

I have thought a lot and personally I would only extend Croft and Shaw of those out of contract.

Here is my wish list of sorts:

Sam Williams (halfback) organising half, good kicking game and can set try’s up.

Marty Taupau - (prop) vastly experienced NRL prop.

John Asiata - (LF, Prop) One who may fall victim to the quota issue at Leigh.

Jack Ashworth - (SR) big unit and would have him interchange with Tanginoa for impact.

Leon Ruen - (SR) seems to have gone well at Doncaster.

Jack Croft - (been impressed with him lately).

Jack Broadbent (FB, C) - if he hasn’t signed for Cas.

Isaac Shaw (prop) - think he will continue to grow. Maybe more of a long term project.

I’d look to promote another 2 promising academy lads - maybe a halfback and a centre also. Pratt? Beevers?

Can't see the point of signing an "enforcer" when you're hardly allowed to tackle nowadays

Re: Nine players confirmed to be leaving ,how many replaceme : Thu Sep 01, 2022 1:24 pm  

newgroundb4wakey wrote:

Can't see the point of signing an "enforcer" when you're hardly allowed to tackle nowadays

Call him a steam roller then

Re: Nine players confirmed to be leaving ,how many replaceme : Thu Sep 01, 2022 1:36 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Call him a steam roller then

That will do lol. We do need a dominant figure though in the middle with some experience to replace Fifita and Arona.

[PopTart]

Re: Nine players confirmed to be leaving ,how many replaceme : Thu Sep 01, 2022 2:58 pm  

Steam roller is better.
Enforcers are on their way out. Napalm is a good example.
A Fifita or a Walmsley is better. Make ground and frighten defenses but don't get into a fight and don't get sent off.

Re: Nine players confirmed to be leaving ,how many replaceme : Thu Sep 01, 2022 3:33 pm  

PopTart wrote:

Steam roller is better.
Enforcers are on their way out. Napalm is a good example.
A Fifita or a Walmsley is better. Make ground and frighten defenses but don't get into a fight and don't get sent off.

I'm thinking what Trojan means is not an enforcer (they are long gone) but a player who can make things happen up the middle. I wouldn't say Arona was that but Fifita was in a very unorthodox way.

Whitbread has now stepped up to that one but another would be nice. They don't have to be big, Dean Hadley did the job for us for a while and he was no steamroller as did Westerman last year.

You're certainly more likely to find one of those in the NRL than the UK. I reckon Shaw could be one of those but not for a while ditto Eseh and a few of the youngsters but that's not next season.

Re: Nine players confirmed to be leaving ,how many replaceme : Thu Sep 01, 2022 3:39 pm  

vastman wrote:

I'm thinking what Trojan means is not an enforcer (they are long gone) but a player who can make things happen up the middle. I wouldn't say Arona was that but Fifita was in a very unorthodox way.

Whitbread has now stepped up to that one but another would be nice. They don't have to be big, Dean Hadley did the job for us for a while and he was no steamroller as did Westerman last year.

You're certainly more likely to find one of those in the NRL than the UK. I reckon Shaw could be one of those but not for a while ditto Eseh and a few of the youngsters but that's not next season.

Hadley was a great defender but, it's a big guy that we need, to suck in additional defenders. Fifita is excellent but, a Walmsley or Kasiano type player who physically dominates the middle of the park and whilst the "biff" has largely disappeared, every side needs a couple of forwards who will never take a backward step, first one to step in if it gets tasty, even though they may never need to actually belt anyone.
Whitbread looks close but, another player of his ilk would be great.

Re: Nine players confirmed to be leaving ,how many replaceme : Thu Sep 01, 2022 3:47 pm  

vastman wrote:

I'm thinking what Trojan means is not an enforcer (they are long gone) but a player who can make things happen up the middle. I wouldn't say Arona was that but Fifita was in a very unorthodox way.

Whitbread has now stepped up to that one but another would be nice. They don't have to be big, Dean Hadley did the job for us for a while and he was no steamroller as did Westerman last year.

You're certainly more likely to find one of those in the NRL than the UK. I reckon Shaw could be one of those but not for a while ditto Eseh and a few of the youngsters but that's not next season.

Pretty much what I’m thinking. Enforcer was probably the wrong word.

The World Cup may allow us the opportunity to unearth one of these props.

On the Taylor front I hope we don’t go there unless it’s 12 months only. He’s solid in defence but when we got mullered at Salford Taylor was the least involved of their forward pack in attack. Id prefer we looked at Asiata at Leigh who can play 13 and also if needed prop.

Re: Nine players confirmed to be leaving ,how many replaceme : Thu Sep 01, 2022 4:24 pm  

Trojan Horse wrote:

On the Taylor front I hope we don’t go there unless it’s 12 months only. He’s solid in defence but when we got mullered at Salford Taylor was the least involved of their forward pack in attack. Id prefer we looked at Asiata at Leigh who can play 13 and also if needed prop.

As a defensive kingpin he didn't need to be involved as we never had the ball.

Re: Nine players confirmed to be leaving ,how many replaceme : Thu Sep 01, 2022 4:58 pm  

Elijah Taylor has played at a level and intensity all of our players staying and leaving could only dream of. I’m sure he held the world record/ or still does for the most tackles in a game. Yes he’s knocking on, but he still offers quality, Salford don’t look too shabby with him as their captain. With potentially a tough 2023 coming up, having a player of his professionalism and stature will do more good than harm. If he has signed, let’s judge him on how he plays, I remember people saying Glenn Morrison was too old when he signed, didn’t turn out too bad.