The Avenger wrote:
We need to get this right or we could well be in trouble
If we are waiting until after the World Cup, while it makes sense, we are gambling because we will be recruiting late and effectively putting ourselves in a similar position to that of newly promoted teams.
We aren’t just adding a few players, we’re replacing pivotal players, backbone of the team types and big characters. We need to find some strong personalities and natural leaders.
If we do get it right there’s no reason why we can’t do a Salford and shock the game with a high finish, play offs or threaten the Challenge Cup later rounds
The World Cup is a bit of a red herring.
The bulk of our signings will be domestic.
We have three slots left. Out of that we can possibly get our version of a marquee player, leaving one spot maybe two for any WC players. Remembered of course that we won’t be the only team looking.
As ever people forget that in Butler we ha because already made one signing for this year. He’s looked good in recent games. Ditto Evans for me, I suspect he’s staying. Finally Bowden, although there seems to be some debate as to whether we signed or loaned him.
So you need to take those out of your nine.
FWIW I think, we will keep Croft, keep Evans, sign two new overseas players, sign three domestic players of reasonable quality. Leave one overseas for the WC and a few bob in the bank for mid season reinforcement.
For me injuries are now such a huge yet random part of the game that you may as well wait. One of the big teams will have an injury free season leaving plenty of loans and signings available.
Also there are a few players in the reserves now who can imho fill gaps in the short term.
None of what I say is radical, it’s how most teams used to be run not so long ago and it worked. We got some of our best performers that way..
