Re: New season preparation : Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:19 pm  

Just Clough and (sigh) Wheeler that haven't featured yet.

I think what I'm most excited about this year is Gaskell playing 6. Not just because he a talent and he improves our attacking shape, but mainly because of the (hopefully) positive effect he has on Johnnycake Lomax's game.

It was a joy to watch the pair sof them throughout 2011.

Re: New season preparation : Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:32 pm  

Our forwards excite me this year. I keep harping on about it, but I think we have the strongest pack in the league.

Re: New season preparation : Wed Jan 30, 2013 8:54 am  

St. Rughead wrote:

Our forwards excite me this year. I keep harping on about it, but I think we have the strongest pack in the league.

It was very solid last year, for the majority of the time. Now that we've added Manu to it, I think we'll have that extra edge and confidence to take us forward.

Re: New season preparation : Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:12 am  

Offside Monkey wrote:

It was very solid last year, for the majority of the time. Now that we've added Manu to it, I think we'll have that extra edge and confidence to take us forward.

With Manu, it means we can have one of Manu, Sia and Puletua providing impact from the bench along with LMS, hopefully Hohaia and Flanagan/Walmsley/Clough/Greenwood. I don't think any bench in super league would come close to that this year.

Re: New season preparation : Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:04 am  

St. Rughead wrote:

With Manu, it means we can have one of Manu, Sia and Puletua providing impact from the bench along with LMS, hopefully Hohaia and Flanagan/Walmsley/Clough/Greenwood. I don't think any bench in super league would come close to that this year.

Sia did a lot of long minutes last season, and I belive that Manu also plays for most of the game? TP will therefore more than likely be providing the impact, allowing one of these two to have a rest. If Perry and Lafranchi start, Clough and LMS will probably be the substitute props, with Hohaia being the back on the bench, and TP the back row/prop sub. Leaves no room for Flanaghan. Would assume he will come in to cover for injuries when they inevitably ahppen, and Walmsley will cover the prop spots. Wheeler looks a long way out of the team, even if he was fit.Loamskell have the halfs ewn up, it apperars, and Hohaia will always be the first reserve. I think if he gets the chance, he really doeshave to make a huge impact, or it is tata to him.

Re: New season preparation : Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:13 am  

And now we are tipped for the top in Sporting Life http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... ve-in-2013

And now we are tipped for the top in Sporting Life http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... ve-in-2013

Re: New season preparation : Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:22 am  

SomersetSaint wrote: And now we are tipped for the top in Sporting Life http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... ve-in-2013 Just read that! But it seems to be their opinion that we will only finish top because Wire and Leeds can't be bothered to.

SomersetSaint wrote: And now we are tipped for the top in Sporting Life http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... ve-in-2013 Just read that! But it seems to be their opinion that we will only finish top because Wire and Leeds can't be bothered to.

Re: New season preparation : Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:39 am  

SomersetSaint wrote:

Sia did a lot of long minutes last season, and I belive that Manu also plays for most of the game? TP will therefore more than likely be providing the impact, allowing one of these two to have a rest. If Perry and Lafranchi start, Clough and LMS will probably be the substitute props, with Hohaia being the back on the bench, and TP the back row/prop sub. Leaves no room for Flanaghan. Would assume he will come in to cover for injuries when they inevitably ahppen, and Walmsley will cover the prop spots. Wheeler looks a long way out of the team, even if he was fit.Loamskell have the halfs ewn up, it apperars, and Hohaia will always be the first reserve. I think if he gets the chance, he really doeshave to make a huge impact, or it is tata to him.

I'd say Flanagan was a better option than Clough. I'd put Greenwood and Walmsley ahead of him too. Flanagan may not have been spectacular last year, but I think he offers more in attack and comes up with some absolute bellringers in defence.

Re: New season preparation : Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:56 am  

St. Rughead wrote:

I'd say Flanagan was a better option than Clough. I'd put Greenwood and Walmsley ahead of him too. Flanagan may not have been spectacular last year, but I think he offers more in attack and comes up with some absolute bellringers in defence.

Madness imo. Clough was our third best metre maker last year behind robes and LMS, and he performed consistantly against any opposition. In fact, in the Wire clashes at the end of ast season, he was one of our best going forward.

I would suggest that, if Lomaskell start firing again and give us the structure we need, then it would be Wilkin that Flanaghan should target. From his past clubs we know he could do a similar tackle rate as Wilks, but he hits a lot harder.
Flash isn't without skills, although we don't see them as often and I think, moving forward,balancing the cap, he's is a better bet at 13 for us than Wilkin.

Re: New season preparation : Wed Jan 30, 2013 12:44 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

Madness imo. Clough was our third best metre maker last year behind robes and LMS, and he performed consistantly against any opposition. In fact, in the Wire clashes at the end of ast season, he was one of our best going forward.

I would suggest that, if Lomaskell start firing again and give us the structure we need, then it would be Wilkin that Flanaghan should target. From his past clubs we know he could do a similar tackle rate as Wilks, but he hits a lot harder.
Flash isn't without skills, although we don't see them as often and I think, moving forward,balancing the cap, he's is a better bet at 13 for us than Wilkin.

I think Clough offers us balance as a "plodder" when we have so many players that are out and out attackers, in TP, Manu, LMS and Sia. He is the steady workhorse that we need to be able to allow the others to shine. Don't underestimate his value to the team as a whole.