Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Thu Sep 04, 2014 10:25 am  

Excellent signing Pitts, definate super league quality 2nd rower so will go well in Championship and hopefully add to our chances in the middle 8 playoffs. Pack is looking strong.

Another half back is now the key, there seem to be enough rumours to make me think centres will be sorted.

For half back didnt someone mention Sammut a few pages back? 18th man last week at wakey, and although hes contracted for next season (IIRC?) so was Pitts, so theres always a deal to be done, I'd take a half back partnership of Sammut and Gaskell, might be wishful thinking though. The other rumour was Paul Clough from saints, now onloan at Widnes but not playing, anymore on that one? Looking at his twitter he now follows @Bradford Bulls...

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Thu Sep 04, 2014 10:53 am  

I had forgotten Clough. If he does sign along with Tahrouil, I think a set of props comprising those 2,Sidlow Offerdahl Fleming & Bates has the potential to be the best in our league.
Unsure regarding Sammut as I think we need an organiser rather than an off the cuff type of half back.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Thu Sep 04, 2014 11:20 am  

Bullnorthern wrote:

Unsure regarding Sammut as I think we need an organiser rather than an off the cuff type of half back.

Normally Id agree, but thinking ahead to the middle 8 playoffs, I quite like the idea of having someone in the team who could win a close game, or a game we maybe shouldn't be winning against a SL team with a moment of individual brilliance.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Thu Sep 04, 2014 12:39 pm  

I think regarding Sammut we will find the opinions split. Yes, he can come up with a piece of brilliance but he can also leave his team mates with no idea of what is happening next. Didn't the coach (Potter I think) once say in the paper that the team would work their socks off tackling to get the ball back and then Sammut would kick it on an early tackle and give the ball back to them. I tend to think most coaches prefer a steady and reliable organiser at number 7 which may be why the likes of Brough and the Salford half back (forgotten name) won't ever be thought of as international class. Deacon was never flashy but he got on with the job of organising the other players into the right positions and getting the ball to them at the right time. I am not sure Sammut can do this and I doubt he will sit on the bench as an impact player - and do we want to use up a bench spot along with a second hooker plus only two forwards.

I would rather see us sign a proper scrum half who organises things and makes others play - even if he is relatively unknown. Ferres and Robbie should be able to spot a decent play maker.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Thu Sep 04, 2014 12:59 pm  

Ferres was saying that the game next season will be built around Gaskells running game, if so wouldnt Gaskell best be the organiser? he also said its no issue that they are nowhere near signing a scrum half, Mullaney or Brooks are already signed up.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Thu Sep 04, 2014 1:27 pm  

It appears we might have got a little ahead of ourselves:

BBC Humberside Sport ‏@HumbersideSport 18m
#HullFC coach Lee Radford says he's not aware any deal has been done for Jay Pitts to join Bradford Bulls.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Thu Sep 04, 2014 1:53 pm  

woolly07 wrote:

I think regarding Sammut we will find the opinions split. Yes, he can come up with a piece of brilliance but he can also leave his team mates with no idea of what is happening next. Didn't the coach (Potter I think) once say in the paper that the team would work their socks off tackling to get the ball back and then Sammut would kick it on an early tackle and give the ball back to them. I tend to think most coaches prefer a steady and reliable organiser at number 7 which may be why the likes of Brough and the Salford half back (forgotten name) won't ever be thought of as international class. Deacon was never flashy but he got on with the job of organising the other players into the right positions and getting the ball to them at the right time. I am not sure Sammut can do this and I doubt he will sit on the bench as an impact player - and do we want to use up a bench spot along with a second hooker plus only two forwards.

I would rather see us sign a proper scrum half who organises things and makes others play - even if he is relatively unknown. Ferres and Robbie should be able to spot a decent play maker.

Think its all a bit of wishful thinking from OP who said we were in talks over sammut. That said I thought sammuts best games for us were early last year when gale was injured and sammut was at halfback. He managed to balance both creative and organising roles surprisingly well. Wouldnt get too hung up on halving a 2nd hooker on bench either as early signs are that isnt set in stone and jimmy isnt averse to starting hooer doing full 80 like he used to.

Martin: IIRC article correctly context of ferres saying it wasnt an issue us being nowhere near signing a hooker was that it wasnt a disaster as we already had mullaney and brooks on board. There just the bacup option if we cant find anyone suitable and certainly not first choice for the role, Although ferres certainly isnt going to say that in press while negotiations are ongoing.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Thu Sep 04, 2014 1:55 pm  

RedBull13 wrote:

It appears we might have got a little ahead of ourselves:

BBC Humberside Sport ‏@HumbersideSport 18m
#HullFC coach Lee Radford says he's not aware any deal has been done for Jay Pitts to join Bradford Bulls.

I noticed this morning that in ross's tweet re pitts he was very careful to phrase it that pitts transfer SHOULD be confirmed shortly. not IS confirmed.

[Bullseye]

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Thu Sep 04, 2014 2:18 pm  

I like Sammut and he’d carve it up in the Championship but I’m not sure he’s the reliable halfback kingpin we need. Gaskell might be in great form now but he too isn’t the sort of player to direct operations, he’s a runner with some creative skills.

Putting them together at halfback would make for exciting times but I wonder if they’re the right mix in tight games that require clear headed game management? We might look ok against fellow championship opposition but when we play the bottom half of the SL teams we’ll need to be able to take the right option under pressure.

I still think we need an experienced halfback. Someone like Liam Finn who’d partner Gaskell and provide the right blend. Behind a pack that was holding its own or going forward that would be ideal. I don’t think we can rely on Gaskell totally.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Thu Sep 04, 2014 3:12 pm  

yes thats how I read it but did not write it above, too brief! and I also think quite cynically that it could be a bit of PR aimed at prospects.

one play maker would be very easy to defend against, but our hookers all look like they can break the line and Petersen and Addy at LF add to the attacking options. While I agree we need an experienced scrum half, its the right fit thats priority.