Re: Laffranchi new Contract : Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:12 pm  

Gerry Mander wrote:

Could have had Mason and Sidlow for his money plus freeing a quota spot.

We could release TP, Meli and Sia and sign up me and half a dozen random strangers off the street too to save even more money and quota spaces and increase the depth of the squad.

Well, you started the silly suggestions, not me...

Re: Laffranchi new Contract : Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:51 pm  

Whilst Northampton is using his well known tact, I can see the point. There is very little point in having a free quota spot if there is little chance of filling it with quality.

Sidlow? Meh!

Mason whilst I'd have him as an additional prop, I would not say he was ripping it up last year enough to consider replacing Laffranchi. Also we have to remember we are talking contract extention, so actually we could not have signed anyone to replace him as he has a full year left anyway. If he gets an extention, you have to balance that against who we could get at the end of 2013 not 2012.

Re: Laffranchi new Contract : Tue Dec 18, 2012 1:34 pm  

I still consider him to be a second rower and I think he would be brilliant in his natural position, but considering that Brown played Gilly at prop and the fact we've got several back rowers I can't see him being played there.

Certainly not the type we should be releasing if we can help it.

Re: Laffranchi new Contract : Tue Dec 18, 2012 1:52 pm  

I would have been happy with Mason as a replacement for Perry, but we can't replace players who are under contract.

Adam Sidlow, from what I've seen, is bottom 4 SL club fodder.

Who knows ... maybe Perry will pull his finger out this year.

Re: Laffranchi new Contract : Tue Dec 18, 2012 2:59 pm  

Whilst i accept the criticism that Laffranchi has look too small to prop against some of the top sides that have come after losses, in the games against the same oppo that we won, he always looked handy.
I do think that his best role would be as the big 13, meaning he'd have 2 starting props to support him.
If Walmsley develops and/or if Brown whips Perry into a consistant performer, then that is a realistic destination for him.

Re: Laffranchi new Contract : Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:34 pm  

If Brown cant whip Perry into shape then no-one can.

Re: Laffranchi new Contract : Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:56 pm  

Incidentally, Laffranchi is interviewed on the latest Saints podcast. He reckons we play really expansive football and can score from anywhere, but need to learn to be a little more patient.

Perhaps we should only offer him a contract if he promises to lay off the acid.

Re: Laffranchi new Contract : Tue Dec 18, 2012 7:37 pm  

Northampton_Saint wrote:

We could release TP, Meli and Sia and sign up me and half a dozen random strangers off the street too to save even more money and quota spaces and increase the depth of the squad.

Well, you started the silly suggestions, not me...

Meli isn't a quota player.

Re: Laffranchi new Contract : Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:45 pm  

In terms of a new deal for Laffranchi: I have it down that he has a one year option on his deal so he'll just get that, won't he?

Gerry Mander wrote:

Could have had Mason and Sidlow for his money plus freeing a quota spot.

In those terms not good value.

Re: Laffranchi new Contract : Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:30 pm  

Deserves new contract and if we could have signed another front rower I personally would have moved Laffranchi to Loose Forward as Offside Monkey suggests.