GrahamBray wrote:
For me this isn't great business by us- next season is vitally important for the club in reigniting fans' passion and with the prospect of multiple relegations, we simply have to get it right. We now have two pivots , well over 30 and who have appalling injury records, Gale admittedly only last year but Reynolds' is far longer and for sustained lengths at a time. I'd rather have Sneyd playing more often than not than Gale playing well for 2 games then missing chunks of the season, add to that Reynolds and his misfortune and we could be playing loads of games with reserve halves to lead us. This isn't shrewd at all by us in my opinion, it has got the potential to be I'll admit, but how many players at their ages improve fitness and injury records? I honestly hope they prove me wrong but if I was betting on it, I know where my money would be placed.
I think to be fair when you look at the squad, the performances over the past couple of seasons then changes have been needed. We often get into the oppositions 20 but then flatter to deceive and fail to get pts on the scoreboard and Gale will certainly improve us in that area as he has a much better running and short kicking game than Sneyd. Gales injury record is a concern but the club seem to have taken that into account with only an initial year deal. Yes it could be a gamble but we’ve asked for change and AP & BH have done well considering the contract situations. I’d rather have Gale for a year with tine to look for a top replacement for 2023 rather rush it fit the sake of it.
Injury record aside Gale certainly improves us over Sneyd.
Sneyd has been a great servant for the club and will remain in the history books of being one of the immortals. I’m pleased we seem to be more pragmatic in our approach rather than sentimental.