[Mild Rover]

Re: Squad 2020 : Wed Oct 23, 2019 12:44 pm  

Someday wrote:

When we last had A teams we used to have players named A another and we got some decent players that way will that still happened do you think

I imagine they were amateurs, last-minute inclusions or maybe RU players who needed to be discreet. I don’t see any reason why those couldn’t be sources of new talent again. Back then though, the gap was from amateur (for example) to semi-pro, whereas, if we’re being selfish we’re looking for lads to step up to full-time RL. Talent is still talent - there’s just another rung on the development ladder.

Initially, I imagine it’ll be similar to (but better, I think and hope) the system that was in place when we first arrived in SL. Then it was, iirc, under-16s, -18s and -20s/21s with a certain number of overage players allowed in the last. Then they moved to 16s and 19s, in part because there was a feeling that a fair few lads who were never going to make it had to be retained to fill out the 20/21s. And the focus got narrower still with the CoH joint academy.

I think many of the reserves will be lads who are too old for 18s, but not yet ready for a senior contract. But with more flexibility, without an official age limit. To me that makes sense, rather than signing half a dozen extra pros who are over 24 just so we can field a team. The first team should be supplemented by a-team players, not the other way around imo.

Re: Squad 2020 : Wed Oct 23, 2019 2:00 pm  

Mild Rover wrote:

I imagine they were amateurs, last-minute inclusions or maybe RU players who needed to be discreet. I don’t see any reason why those couldn’t be sources of new talent again. Back then though, the gap was from amateur (for example) to semi-pro, whereas, if we’re being selfish we’re looking for lads to step up to full-time RL. Talent is still talent - there’s just another rung on the development ladder.

Initially, I imagine it’ll be similar to (but better, I think and hope) the system that was in place when we first arrived in SL. Then it was, iirc, under-16s, -18s and -20s/21s with a certain number of overage players allowed in the last. Then they moved to 16s and 19s, in part because there was a feeling that a fair few lads who were never going to make it had to be retained to fill out the 20/21s. And the focus got narrower still with the CoH joint academy.

I think many of the reserves will be lads who are too old for 18s, but not yet ready for a senior contract. But with more flexibility, without an official age limit. To me that makes sense, rather than signing half a dozen extra pros who are over 24 just so we can field a team. The first team should be supplemented by a-team players, not the other way around imo.

It was also good for getting injured players back to the first team by giving them a run out to test their fitness

[Mild Rover]

Re: Squad 2020 : Wed Oct 23, 2019 3:12 pm  

Someday wrote:

It was also good for getting injured players back to the first team by giving them a run out to test their fitness

Absolutely. And keep match fitness up for players not on dual reg, where you don’t want to commit to a month’s loan.

On the other hand, you don’t want to be stretched to make up a competitive team, and risk first team players being injured.

It’ll be interesting to see how we use it and the partnership with Dewsbury. Where best fits the development of young players like Lewis, Rooks and Harrison when they’re not in the first team? We’re also looking for loan deals for Oakes and Wallis according to TS.

[Frosties.]

Re: Squad 2020 : Wed Oct 23, 2019 8:20 pm  

You’ve another two coming from Bradford.

Re: Squad 2020 : Thu Oct 24, 2019 4:17 am  

Do tell us please frosties

[Mild Rover]

Re: Squad 2020 : Thu Oct 24, 2019 7:26 am  

eastul105 wrote:

Do tell us please frosties

Matthew Storton and Rowan Milnes is the rumour i’ve seen. Promising young players, I believe.

Re: Squad 2020 : Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:27 am  

Mild Rover wrote:

Matthew Storton and Rowan Milnes is the rumour i’ve seen. Promising young players, I believe.

On the subject of bradford I always thought jordan lilley was pretty decent,any thoughts?

Re: Squad 2020 : Thu Oct 24, 2019 12:15 pm  

des lawson wrote:

On the subject of bradford I always thought jordan lilley was pretty decent,any thoughts?

You're getting Keyes, Michella and one of our academy props along with Milnes and Storton.

Re: Squad 2020 : Thu Oct 24, 2019 12:47 pm  

des lawson wrote:

On the subject of bradford I always thought jordan lilley was pretty decent,any thoughts?

Forget about Lilley, you've just signed one of the best halfbacks in the championship (Keyes).

Re: Squad 2020 : Thu Oct 24, 2019 2:23 pm  

Feels a bit wrong signing all these from t'Steam Pigs, but at the end ofnthe day it's pro sport and business.