Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Wed Aug 07, 2024 11:33 am  

No to opacic for me. We need a more attacking player

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Wed Aug 07, 2024 11:49 am  

Marcus's Bicycle wrote:

Not sure about others but I think Opacic is pretty average. He's ok but we need someone with more attacking flair. Although Lafai is getting on a bit he offers much more than Opacic. The Rovers player I would have liked to have signed is Parcell but Cust is likely to be the hooker which I find surprising to say the least.

Inagree on Opacic, solid player but not the type we need.

Of all the signings we have made, he is the strangest, juts don't get it all, but Cartwright likes him.

The bonus of Cust over is the ability to cover halfback.

Think Parcell is going home, has been linked with a 3 year deal at Wakey which I wouldn't have offered him anyway.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Wed Aug 07, 2024 1:55 pm  

Cust will provide cover at halfback and he may well be needed if we are going with Trueman and Abdull. I don't like the idea of a quota player being used as cover but as you say Cartwright must rate him.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Wed Aug 07, 2024 1:56 pm  

I think Cust will be the starting half when we miss our on Lam and we'll look to use our quota spots on a centre, and potentially a 9

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Wed Aug 07, 2024 2:02 pm  

Steve0 wrote:

I think Cust will be the starting half when we miss our on Lam and we'll look to use our quota spots on a centre, and potentially a 9

No chance, it will be a halfback or fullback who can play 6 (although think that's gone with the form of Moy and Walker)

Cust will start at 9 with the two young hookers fighting a bench spot.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Wed Aug 07, 2024 2:06 pm  

Steve0 wrote:

I think Cust will be the starting half when we miss our on Lam and we'll look to use our quota spots on a centre, and potentially a 9

I don't like that idea but it wouldn't surprise me.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Wed Aug 07, 2024 2:16 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

No chance, it will be a halfback or fullback who can play 6 (although think that's gone with the form of Moy and Walker)

Cust will start at 9 with the two young hookers fighting a bench spot.

Why no chance? Last year we went all out for Clifford and Clune, and were also linked with Conor Watson....but ended up with Nu Brown..so far all our targets seem to have turned us down for next year, so there's every chance it could be a Cust / Abdul pairing

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Wed Aug 07, 2024 2:22 pm  

Steve0 wrote:

Why no chance? Last year we went all out for Clifford and Cline, and were also linked with Conor Watson....but ended up with Nu Brown..so far all our targets seem to have turned us down for next year, so there's every chance it could be a Cust / Abdul pairing

It's a different team recruiting, it's clear we are some pace at 1 or halfback, it's been mentioned many times by the media, we either get Lam or another halfback.

Cust is replacing Morgan Smith IMO, will play hooker and cover the halfback position.

The quota rules have changed too, making it easier this year to sign a halfback, last year we wouldn't have got a visa for the likes of Volkman and Hawkins, for next we would

Have alot more faith in Myler and Cartwight tha Clarke and Smith.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Wed Aug 07, 2024 2:23 pm  

Ive been thinking more about the recruitment we have completed to date over recent days and came to the following conclusions:

Pros:

One of the biggest has to be with Asiata, we have effectively gone from arguably the weakest 13 in the league arguably the best. It is a great signing and one that could have positive impacts off the pitch with his professionalism.


His signing has split opinions, but i do believe that Abdul is the 7 we have missed desperately this season. His fitness will be the talking point however I do feel that with a pre season under Cartwright he could be the player that guides us round the park in 2025.

There is much more experience within the squad as opposed to what we had at the start of this season, the likes of Hardaker, Holmes etc may have their best years behind them but i do believe they will improve us as a squad.

Cons:

I think the biggest concern for me is that we still look rather light in a host of positions, Centre, SR and prop are all areas we could do with bolstering. Should Lam not join (which i sadly don't expect him to) we will be either on the look-out for another Half or a Hooker. Thats an awful lot of work to do even after such a busy few months.

The second point, which follows the previous, is that Asiata and perhaps Abdul on his day aside, there is no real outstanding quality in the squad. As it stands, its a pretty average squad, which may be an improvement on the current crop, but how much longer can the faithful be patient to accept average (at best)? It would be naïve to expect our problems to vanish overnight, however i do think two top marquee signings (a SR and half back ideally) would help massively in taking the step from been average to being genuine top six contenders.

Overall i think its clear to see that hard work is going in by those behind the scenes. A lot of departures of the likes of Sutcliffe, Cator, Scott indicate there is still plenty of recruits to come, however i do think its vital that these are quality additions which will capture the attention and excitement of fans again.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Wed Aug 07, 2024 2:35 pm  

I don't think we are too bad in the pack, but one more would be good.

Props of Ese Ese, Sao, Ashworth and Aydin (with Fash and the 3 young props)

Backrow Cartwright, Holmes, Lane and Staveley (who can also play prop) along with Chamberlain and a few young kids.

One more would be nice, particularly if we can pull off Lam.

If not need to find a domestic forward, which isn't easy.

Certainly look stronger than this season.

Key is the likes of Fash and Lane, not been automatic picks.