Re: Luke Thompson : Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:30 pm  

LFC Saint wrote:

I have it on good authority we want another prop for next year.

Wanting one is one thing, getting one who is decent is another entirely...

Re: Luke Thompson : Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:33 pm  

Thompson's a real winner for me. Tough and uncompromising.

We've got Sav for next year, too.

Re: Luke Thompson : Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:20 pm  

I think given the team we finished the year with we will only be better next year.

Re: Luke Thompson : Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:25 am  

BackrowSaint wrote:

Completely agree, can't help but feel we missed out big time on Ashton Sims. Bryce Gibbs would probably top my target list of those out of contract for next year.

Sims is a good player but goes missing too often to be a great.

Re: Luke Thompson : Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:09 am  

I really dont think we need another prop.
Amor, Walmesley, mose, Beaumont, Richards, Thompson and Savellio really can play prop as well

Re: Luke Thompson : Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:34 am  

Saint Simon wrote:

I really dont think we need another prop.
Amor, Walmesley, mose, Beaumont, Richards, Thompson and Savellio really can play prop as well

First 3 will be 3 first choice props, Beaumont as said would be nice to fit into the 4th slot, but can hardly be depended on, Richards is 19 and is a very good 5th choice prop IMO but not ready to be the starting 4 week in week out. Savelio is less ready and Thompson is going great in the back row and we should leave him there (one of our worst traits with youngsters is constantly moving them so they never fully learn their position - Jones is a perfect example of that).

We could probably scrap a 4th choice prop rotating Ghostmont Richards and Savelio, but that weakens our rotation for the other 3, and just isn't as neat as bringing another quality option in for the front row.

Re: Luke Thompson : Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:41 am  

Magic Superbeetle wrote:

First 3 will be 3 first choice props, Beaumont as said would be nice to fit into the 4th slot, but can hardly be depended on, Richards is 19 and is a very good 5th choice prop IMO but not ready to be the starting 4 week in week out. Savelio is less ready and Thompson is going great in the back row and we should leave him there (one of our worst traits with youngsters is constantly moving them so they never fully learn their position - Jones is a perfect example of that).

We could probably scrap a 4th choice prop rotating Ghostmont Richards and Savelio, but that weakens our rotation for the other 3, and just isn't as neat as bringing another quality option in for the front row.

People say Sav isn't ready but i dont buy it. By the start of next season it'll be about 9 months since he almost single handedly ripped Leeds experienced pack to bits. 9 months on he should be well ready to start doing regular minutes in the first team.

Re: Luke Thompson : Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:51 am  

Saint Simon wrote:

People say Sav isn't ready but i dont buy it. By the start of next season it'll be about 9 months since he almost single handedly ripped Leeds experienced pack to bits. 9 months on he should be well ready to start doing regular minutes in the first team.

Abililty wise, he's ready but mentally after his illness he's not been ready.

We have to build on next year. Vea and Burns are good signings and another prop would be great.

Re: Luke Thompson : Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:59 am  

Saint Simon wrote:

People say Sav isn't ready but i dont buy it. By the start of next season it'll be about 9 months since he almost single handedly ripped Leeds experienced pack to bits. 9 months on he should be well ready to start doing regular minutes in the first team.

A starting rotation of Amor masoe walmsley and savelio doesn't have enough minutes in it (3 impact props definitely wouldn't work!) that's before you get into the "is he ready" argument

Savelio is going to be a very good player, and I expect to see him more next season (about 10 games same as Richards this year) - but that will be rotating/ covering walmsley/ Masoe/ Vea (if we want to give him a run at second row) and he should be able to do that very well with no noticeable drop in our overall quality - which is what you want from first choice back up...

But there's also no way to know how he'd react to week in week out performances, until he plays that back up role, it's all about drip feeding him in and not dropping him! Of course if he takes to it with the maturity and consistency Thompson showed I'm sure well find a regular place for him by the end of the year.

Re: Luke Thompson : Mon Oct 13, 2014 7:27 am  

I think another prop is needed. We can't rely on Beaumont - he's been injured all year (most of his career, in fact), and we don't even know if he's any good. Savelio, as St Pete says, has all the ability in the world, but is still dealing with the aftermath of a serious illness and may well not be ready to take up a regular spot in the first team. I think the world of Greg Richards, but at 19 I'd prefer it if we could spell him on our own terms rather than having to rely on him as a front-line prop. And at the moment I see Thompson as a second row rather than a prop.

For me, one more experienced prop - a grafter like Amor rather than a blockbuster like Walmsley or Masoe - would complete this side nicely. Bryce Gibbs gets my vote.