Re: Liam Hood & Luke Menzies : Thu Nov 19, 2015 8:14 pm  

If we don't have this front row problem covered, I predict we'll be frantically searching for a few loan players after 3-4 weeks of the season starting.

Re: Liam Hood & Luke Menzies : Fri Nov 20, 2015 8:58 am  

Nobody else thinking Tommy Lee might be playing 80 minutes next season? He's more than capable of it, but you just wont get the high speed spells from dummy half that Hood provided. We don't know what game plan Sheens and Watson have in mind next season, but it is seemingly looking like one which means we'll be solid and difficult to beat.

Matty Wilkinson was the best player in the U19's last season, no doubt he's ready to make the step-up and assume the coaching staff think the same as he has now signed a full-time contract and joined the first team.

Re: Liam Hood & Luke Menzies : Fri Nov 20, 2015 10:56 am  

Do we think with the significantly reduced cap that the team we have or are putting together (i'm not sure at this late stage if we still are) is capable of improvement on last year, because that's what we want? Well i'm not at all sure tbh and am concerned by the gaps we have in certain areas and as mentioned by others, unless these are covered gambles may take place and that is concerning. (wonder if TS new he was facing a vastly reduced cap?)

Re: Liam Hood & Luke Menzies : Fri Nov 20, 2015 11:08 am  

I've been thinking regarding this hooker situation and i reckon it will be a shared role between Lee, Lui and O'brien. alternating whilst bringing through the U19's kid.

Re: Liam Hood & Luke Menzies : Fri Nov 20, 2015 11:56 am  

But FS is it going to be enough to see us in to the top 8 or struggle down the bottom again, personally I can't take the stress of that again it was a nightmare i'm sure for all. really annoyed about the salary cap situation this season and fed up of struggling even with a full cap last year for other reasons. I hope we have a flying start and do really well, but the restrictions are in place already.
Anyone know if the cap can be increased during a season?

Re: Liam Hood & Luke Menzies : Fri Nov 20, 2015 12:11 pm  

Kopczak's a decent signing and we have a few with potential to improve but it resembles a Championship level front row to me. I can't see Phil Joseph setting the world on fire, can you? Marwan may well be saving a few quid but we can all kiss goodbye any hope of a top 8 finish.

Re: Liam Hood & Luke Menzies : Fri Nov 20, 2015 12:18 pm  

8. Kopczak
9. Lee
10. G.Griffin
11. Murdoch-Masila
12. Flanagan
13. Hauraki

I think that's a pretty solid and hard working pack. One thing you'll get from each of those players is 100% commitment, something we lacked last season. On paper it's worse than the 2015 pack, but if anyone knows RL isn't played on paper it's Salford fans. All of those players also have the capability of playing 80 minutes, my only concern is with Murdoch-Masila who needs a big pre-season to get himself back in shape and full fitness.

Where we appear to be lacking is the interchanges, Krasniqi I am more than happy with but then Joseph, Forster, A.Walne and J.Walne are not top 8 quality. I am sure we've got a couple more additions to make hence the release of Hood and Menzies.

Re: Liam Hood & Luke Menzies : Fri Nov 20, 2015 12:35 pm  

Yeah. The forward line-up, to me, is 'competent' but thin.

I think there's a number of young lads and established forwards at the Club who could move on to the next level, but that's up to them. You're only as good as your last performance so I'm hoping that a number of lads get the bit between their teeth and prove a lot of us wrong. I'd feel a bit happier if we could bring in a couple more established forwards to strengthen the ability of the pack. I don't have the same feelings with our backs, who on paper (There's that pesky paper again...) are more than capable of holding their own against anyone if they gel properly.

If we could get someone like Ferres, it would significantly bolster us up front and make me feel a bit better. Scott Taylor's departure will be a hard void to fill this season coming.

Re: Liam Hood & Luke Menzies : Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:15 pm  

I think the forwards will line up like;

8. Kopczak
9. Lee
10. A Walne
11. Flanaghan
12. Hauraki
13. G.Griffin

14. Masila
15. OBrien
16. Krasniqi
17. Forster

I'm also hoping we don't play George at prop not big enough for me so ideally he will be suited to play at loose forward. Still feel were 3 players short back rower, prop and hooker! If Lee gets injured what happens then another loan signing!

Re: Liam Hood & Luke Menzies : Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:52 pm  

The pack is poor, it's very workman like, but there is very little quality in there. The depth of the pack is also a concern, if we get 2 or 3 injuries this year then we're going to struggle. I dread to think what will happen if we have anything like last years crisis. I still think we need a prop, a second rower and hooker.

For me having Gareth O'Brien on the bench is a waste of bench spot as he's 150% not a hooker. I know the game has changed, but I'm concerned that we're going into the season without a recognised 9. Tommy Lee started off as a halfback, then his arms got massive so they put him in the pack. I like his work rate, but he offers 0, zilch, nothing in attack.

On a more positive note the backline looks strong and we have two huge wingers. I'm just concerned they will be drawn into doing the job of our props getting us out of yardage because the props we have whilst workhorses won't be busting tackles or making massive meters forward. In an ideal world we need the pack to take us forward then give it our massive wingers in good ball and let them do the damage near the opposition try line.