Re: first team players : Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:22 pm  

The concensus of oppinion of posters appears to be the same and agree the requirement now is for 2 or 3 top class players to compliment the existing good quality players otherwise we could end up in the same position as last year.
Although the attitude of the players should improve no end under Brian Smith, the other clubs around us are all strenthening.

Re: first team players : Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:42 pm  

Trinity1315 wrote:

Fair comment this and let's not forget that Johnstone, Crowther and Jowitt are all now surely ready for regular first team action. In fact Johnstone and Jowitt would be the first names I would have on the teamsheet.

Can't agree with you there and I suspect neither does Brian Smith, Max Jowitt is a capable stand in for the odd game but is far from ready for regular SL football and needs another season at least.

[PopTart]

Re: first team players : Tue Oct 27, 2015 2:55 pm  

For me, if you take the squad we already have signed up and reordered the squad list I posted earlier, I'd do the shirts like this:

1 Jordan Tansey
2 Tom Johnstone
3 Ashley Gibson
4
5 Richard Owen
6 Jacob Miller
7 Liam Finn
8 Nick Scruton
9 Michael Sio
10 Scott Anderson
11 Jon Molloy
12 Daniel Kirmond
13
14
15 Anthony England
16 Mickael Simon
17 Matty Ashurst
18 Craig Hall
19 Andy Yates
20 Chris Annakin
21 Max Jowitt
22 Jordan Crowther
23 Sean Morris
24 Ben Shulver
25 Stuart Howarth
26 Reece Lyne
27

Pita Godinet or Scott Moore could fill the 14 shirt.
And Michael Simon could be moved to 13
And Hall could be 4

But for me we need a starting centre and either a starting 13 or prop to free Simon.......along with a decision about second hooker/Half.
Adding Pomeroy and Tupou to that team would make it a lot stronger.
I'd feel better if the Tupou we have already stayed for starting Wing and centre cover too.
Maybe Arundal as back up but probably not starting centre.

Re: first team players : Tue Oct 27, 2015 2:58 pm  

Kinda like the look of this Pop Tart well done.

Re: first team players : Tue Oct 27, 2015 3:15 pm  

By the way thats 27 players, the wage bill must be around 1.5 million!!!

Re: first team players : Tue Oct 27, 2015 4:57 pm  

Tricky2309 wrote:

Would agree with you, but I am fairly relaxed as I expect a number of additional signings to come in and if they include some of the names previously rumoured such as BJB; Pomeroy and Anthony Tupou then things will start to look a lot better. In addition, as has previously been stated by others a full preseason under Brian Smith is also likely to make a significant difference.

Last years back line was very slow with the exceptions of Jowitt who hardly played and Johnstone who did not play that regularly. The signings that have been made in the backs and the names rumoured are clearly addressing this issue, whilst Finn will give us something we lacked all season (a decent last tackle option), so I am happy that we appear to be heading in the right direction.

Now Joel Monaghan has gone to Cas instead of Salford, as everyone was expecting, then are Salford likely to release BJB ????

Re: first team players : Tue Oct 27, 2015 5:02 pm  

Knowing that the squad will have a full pre season with Brian Smith and will be better prepared, more structured and be subjected to stricter discipline, I'm fairly happy with the way we're shaping up.

The addition of 3 or 4 higher quality players should see us being far more competitive next season.

We quite rightly will start the season with top 8 aspirations and it shouldn't be any other way however, realistically we must be aiming to avoid bottom place and in doing so not be cast adrift of the other Super League clubs. Importantly that will also widen the gap between us and the Championship clubs we are likely to meet in next years Middle Eights.

I'm sure some middle to end of season recruitment and tinkering will still be available to us should we require it.

If we believe the persistent and strongest rumours then BJB, Pomeroy and Tupou are going to be with us next year,
I also think Godinet and Bill Tupou will stay with us as well.

That would give us a decent starting line up and some quality depth.

BJB
Johnstone
Pomeroy
Gibson
Tupou
Miller
Finn
Scruton
Sio
Anderson
Ashurst
Kirmond
Tupou

Godinet
Molloy/Crowther
England/Anakin
Simon

Re: first team players : Tue Oct 27, 2015 5:04 pm  

Maybe they will take Carney to Salford,because I can't see him staying over't common with everything that has gone on "allegedly"

Re: first team players : Tue Oct 27, 2015 5:08 pm  

Clan... we are not allowed to sign players towards the end of the season...we cheated last season, according to the Championship clubs, by signing a whole new squad in order to beat them in the Middle 8's...and not one of them signed any players whatsoever.......oh hang on a minute

Re: first team players : Tue Oct 27, 2015 5:48 pm  

Got to agree with you chissit, didn't go to Sheffield must be honest but watched highlights, I'm afraid every try Sheffield scored I looked vainly for young jowett to come into the picture never saw him I'm afraid, looks a prospect but these wanting him first choice fullback are in my opinion way off the mark