Re: Friendly #2 - Featherstone : Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:02 pm  

At FB what do we currently have -

Billy Jowitt
Aiden McGowan

HB

Gaskell
Lilley
Jowitt can play there
Moss -but hasn't really been given enough minutes yet, over the next 2 friendlies i think he needs to at least start one of those imo to make an impact and see what he has to offer. As we already know what Lilley and Gaskell bring. He's highly rated, he to can also play FB apparently.

If we don't offer Moss a contract. It leaves us really light for half cover and fullback. So I think there's obviously a little bit of money there as we have potential 2 trialist to come in on contract. If only one or neither are offered we have a bit of a budget left. But not sure it would stretch that far to get the quality needed.

I'm abit concerned for Hooker cover as well, this is going be probably the most competitive championship with around 9 teams capable of making the top 6. Thrown in the New format of the 1895 cup more games. I'm not sure GFS has the legs left to go the season. Don't think any of the reserves promoted or academy players that we've seen so far are hookers either.

But every team could analyse their squads and have lack of cover and want more options. Going to be a very interesting season no matter what.

Re: Friendly #2 - Featherstone : Tue Jan 09, 2024 8:11 am  

BullRaider wrote:

At FB what do we currently have -

Billy Jowitt
Aiden McGowan

HB

Gaskell
Lilley
Jowitt can play there
Moss -but hasn't really been given enough minutes yet, over the next 2 friendlies i think he needs to at least start one of those imo to make an impact and see what he has to offer. As we already know what Lilley and Gaskell bring. He's highly rated, he to can also play FB apparently.

If we don't offer Moss a contract. It leaves us really light for half cover and fullback. So I think there's obviously a little bit of money there as we have potential 2 trialist to come in on contract. If only one or neither are offered we have a bit of a budget left. But not sure it would stretch that far to get the quality needed.

I'm abit concerned for Hooker cover as well, this is going be probably the most competitive championship with around 9 teams capable of making the top 6. Thrown in the New format of the 1895 cup more games. I'm not sure GFS has the legs left to go the season. Don't think any of the reserves promoted or academy players that we've seen so far are hookers either.

But every team could analyse their squads and have lack of cover and want more options. Going to be a very interesting season no matter what.

Barraclough is a hooker

Re: Friendly #2 - Featherstone : Tue Jan 09, 2024 9:16 am  

Can't see McGowan being recalled, Giants have plenty of cover there.

Hooker is a worry. If anything happens to Souter then it's Hallas and Flanagan we're going with which will be a disaster.

Some nice worked tries for the wingers on Sunday which is pleasing and shows how we're hoping to play.

Goal-kicking is still a massive concern, we shouldn't be experimenting. Go with Lilley who we know will play every game and let him get as much practice in as possible.

Re: Friendly #2 - Featherstone : Tue Jan 09, 2024 11:12 am  

Bull Mania wrote:

Goal-kicking is still a massive concern, we shouldn't be experimenting. Go with Lilley who we know will play every game and let him get as much practice in as possible.

Then what happens if he gets injured loses form or has an illness?? You still need other Players to be able to back up and they are the ones that need the goal kicking match practice even more than Lilly.

Re: Friendly #2 - Featherstone : Tue Jan 09, 2024 12:01 pm  

We need a full back, a ball playing loose forward and another mean prop imho,
Quality Half back cover would be good too, why we got rid of Lawford who could have been our next "Deacon" would have been super/

Re: Friendly #2 - Featherstone : Tue Jan 09, 2024 1:15 pm  

Re: Friendly #2 - Featherstone : Tue Jan 09, 2024 12:01 pm
We need a full back, a ball playing loose forward and another mean prop imho,
Quality Half back cover would be good too, why we got rid of Lawford who could have been our next "Deacon" would have been super/

Agreed on that especially the type of player at Loose Forward. Yeah not sure why Lawford didn't get more opportunities, strange one, but definitely a loss him going to Wakefield.

Re: Friendly #2 - Featherstone : Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:12 pm  

We didn't 'get rid' of Lawford. He was offered an improved deal and still chose Wakefield over us.

There's also very little point in spending big on the playing squad when even finishing top wouldn't see us in SL next year. Until we sort the stadium out, we're going nowhere regardless of how the team performs.