Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Mar 16, 2024 12:24 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

There were several times we tried to do a Saints on Saints and take the first two carries with wingers, only to be stuck on our own 10m line still. Again good Saints D but we have to find a way to get out of our own red zone more efficiently.

This isn’t just a saints thing, it’s a rugby league tactic.

Your backs take the drives out of yardage to give the forwards a rest. You can’t expect the forwards to be constantly carting the balls in and then doing the majority of the tackling.

Saints defence was just too good

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:08 pm  

Realistically, Roberts is a stop-gap to cover injuries, and as such he's not the player to provide us first class service. He's still young, but he's light years away from what the likes of Newman, Watkins, Hall (etc) were capable of at his age. He's more consistently reliable than Olpherts, looks like a better prospect than Tindall ever did, but not much more than that. Against the best teams he's going to look weak under sustained pressure.

I'm generally in the pro-Fusitua camp, but the timing of his latest injury set-back was poor to say the least. Hope it was a case of bad luck rather than bad management of medical issues by the player/club. Hopefully when he comes back in he can put a string of games together. I have to say I'm worried about how he goes with the disciplinary as well.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:11 pm  

Exeter Rhino wrote:

Realistically, Roberts is a stop-gap to cover injuries, and as such he's not the player to provide us first class service. He's still young, but he's light years away from what the likes of Newman, Watkins, Hall (etc) were capable of at his age. He's more consistently reliable than Olpherts, looks like a better prospect than Tindall ever did, but not much more than that. Against the best teams he's going to look weak under sustained pressure.

I'm generally in the pro-Fusitua camp, but the timing of his latest injury set-back was poor to say the least. Hope it was a case of bad luck rather than bad management of medical issues by the player/club. Hopefully when he comes back in he can put a string of games together. I have to say I'm worried about how he goes with the disciplinary as well.

You’re putting Newman in the Watkins/Hall category? Wow…!

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:13 pm  

Exactly how I feel too Exeter, I don’t mean to criticise Roberts unfairly, but he is what he is, and that’s not long term first grade material. The role he plays can be filled with young players, and eventually one of them takes the chance and shines.

Fus is a very frustrating player, he’s capable of very good performances, but like at his other clubs just doesn’t spend long enough on the field to justify his position in the squad. We should be looking to replace him, its a shame the timing isn’t 1 or 2 years later otherwise one of the kids could well take the shirt from him next year.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:14 pm  

Shabino wrote:

You’re putting Newman in the Watkins/Hall category? Wow…!

He could be, its just a shame we have a coach who has absolutely no idea how to get our most devastating runner into clear space.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:34 pm  

If Fus stays fit he could well get another year, which would be ideal in some ways while the younger players mature.

However I don’t think he will stay fit and so expect us to sign an overseas player in a 2 year deal or something.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:57 pm  

batleyrhino wrote:

He could be, its just a shame we have a coach who has absolutely no idea how to get our most devastating runner into clear space.

I think the over hyping of Newman is indicative of how poor we’ve been for a long time. Agree loads of potential, but not achieved anything in the game yet and to be honest needs to do more positive things in games like last night…..

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:05 pm  

Shabino wrote:

I think the over hyping of Newman is indicative of how poor we’ve been for a long time. Agree loads of potential, but not achieved anything in the game yet and to be honest needs to do more positive things in games like last night…..

In what way is he overhyped?

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:06 pm  

Shabino wrote:

I think the over hyping of Newman is indicative of how poor we’ve been for a long time. Agree loads of potential, but not achieved anything in the game yet and to be honest needs to do more positive things in games like last night…..

England international- not achieved anything in the game?

The lad has had horrendous luck with injuries, he’s a quality player and will show it if he gets a run of fitness. Hes one of the few English players with genuine class.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:08 pm  

Newman looks in career-best shape as does Oledski. I think he’s been playing well this year but after his good break first half, didn’t seem to do much else last night.