So where do we need to strengthen for the future ? : Sun May 17, 2009 4:32 pm  

I was just wondering where people feel we need to strengthen to become realistic challengers for silverware on a consistent basis ? Tony Smith`s influence is already noticeable on the pitch, ive seen a bigger will to win games, a far better team spirit where the players look like the are enjoying their rugby rather than it being a slog and a hinderence to their weekends.

I still feel we need a quality left centre that can beat defenders and gain us decent yardage up field along with being a creator for his winger, for the money that Matt King will be on i have yet to see any world class performances, even with his slight improvement in form its nowhere near a good return for the money. I would play Matt King on the left wing and look for a quality left centre.

I also think we need a right centre, when you release a player of the standard that Martin Gleeson was then your replacement should be at least a match for the player your letting go or better, i don`t see Chris Bridge as anywhere near in the same mould as Martin Gleeson. Chris Bridge does some very good things but he also does some erratic things and takes a lot of wrong options.

I`m not a fan of Mr Average at 9, he is a good grafter and little else so i`ll leave it there with that one. Micky Higham was a big influence in the way we came back at Hull, his regular quick thinking runs gained us very good yardage and put the opposition on the back foot and got us on a roll.

I would like to see us sign a back rower in the mould of a Mark Roberts or Anthony Watmough, thats a 2nd rower that can hit the line at speed and has a great pair of ball playing hands with good footwork and pace.

Vinnie Anderson for me is far too inconsistent and along with his poor injury record i wouldn`t like to see him retained, if we intend to keep him then we should use him as a 2nd rower from the bench and for now leave Ben Harrison at 13.

I would like to see us sign a quality, proven specialist 13 though which is a key area in RL and i wouldn`t describe Ben Harrison as any kind of possible match winner just yet, he is having a good season from what ive seen of him, he is strong and is progressing nicely but he is not ready for such a key position of loose forward just yet.

It would be a backward step if Lee Briers is still here next year, he has been a good servant at warrington but he`s had his time, he`s everything thats good and bad about the club, a change of direction is needed. Ideally i would like to see a new approach at 7 as well and touch wood Michael Monaghan is on his way back to the NRL, he has been a big failure overall.

: Sun May 17, 2009 4:35 pm  

So, two centres, a second row and a loose?

Any names at all, Rob?

Re: So where do we need to strengthen for the future ? : Sun May 17, 2009 4:42 pm  

Rob Wire wrote:

I was just wondering where people feel we need to strengthen to become realistic challengers for silverware on a consistent basis ? Tony Smith`s influence is already noticeable on the pitch, ive seen a bigger will to win games, a far better team spirit where the players look like the are enjoying their rugby rather than it being a slog and a hinderence to their weekends.

I still feel we need a quality left centre that can beat defenders and gain us decent yardage up field along with being a creator for his winger, for the money that Matt King will be on i have yet to see any world class performances, even with his slight improvement in form its nowhere near a good return for the money. I would play Matt King on the left wing and look for a quality left centre.

I also think we need a right centre, when you release a player of the standard that Martin Gleeson was then your replacement should be at least a match for the player your letting go or better, i don`t see Chris Bridge as anywhere near in the same mould as Martin Gleeson. Chris Bridge does some very good things but he also does some erratic things and takes a lot of wrong options.

I`m not a fan of Mr Average at 9, he is a good grafter and little else so i`ll leave it there with that one. Micky Higham was a big influence in the way we came back at Hull, his regular quick thinking runs gained us very good yardage and put the opposition on the back foot and got us on a roll.

I would like to see us sign a back rower in the mould of a Mark Roberts or Anthony Watmough, thats a 2nd rower that can hit the line at speed and has a great pair of ball playing hands with good footwork and pace.

Vinnie Anderson for me is far too inconsistent and along with his poor injury record i wouldn`t like to see him retained, if we intend to keep him then we should use him as a 2nd rower from the bench and for now leave Ben Harrison at 13.

I would like to see us sign a quality, proven specialist 13 though which is a key area in RL and i wouldn`t describe Ben Harrison as any kind of possible match winner just yet, he is having a good season from what ive seen of him, he is strong and is progressing nicely but he is not ready for such a key position of loose forward just yet.

It would be a backward step if Lee Briers is still here next year, he has been a good servant at warrington but he`s had his time, he`s everything thats good and bad about the club, a change of direction is needed. Ideally i would like to see a new approach at 7 as well and touch wood Michael Monaghan is on his way back to the NRL, he has been a big failure overall.

Come on mods can't we do something about people dragging up all these old threads.

: Sun May 17, 2009 4:45 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

So, two centres, a second row and a loose?

Any names at all, Rob?

For a right centre i would have a word with Mark Gasnier`s agent to see if he is enjoying his time in France, if not lets see what it would cost to bering him to SL.

For a left centre, i think Mr Moran should get his cheque book out for Michael Shenton and make them an offer they can`t refuse.

A loose forward, Kevin Sinfield as we need a kicker and a good organising captain.

Not sure on a 2nd rower just yet, all the best ones in the NRL as far as i`m aware are tied up on contracts, Ben Creagh is a player i like a lot along with Anthony Watmough but you wouldn`t get either, i`m sure Creagh has just signed a new deal.

: Sun May 17, 2009 4:49 pm  

Scrum Half - Monaghan is too slow at decision making or makes stupid decisions, and doesn't have the presence needed as well.

Second Row - I agree we do need another big but mobile second row.

Loose Forward - We require a good ball playing loose forward who can also really take on the line with speed, Harrison or Grix could do that job from the players we have.

Hooker - Either buy one in to spell with Higham or bring Alex Thompson through

Prop - Rauhihi should retire or have a year in the Championship after this year, we will need a prop to replace him.

From what I've seen Alex Hurst will be a good player to bring up for centre in the future.

Re: So where do we need to strengthen for the future ? : Sun May 17, 2009 4:49 pm  

Paul Youane wrote:

Come on mods can't we do something about people dragging up all these old threads.

Its not an old thread at all, we now have a better picture of how things stand since Tony Smith has took over and put his own ideas on the squad, as an example Kevin Penny looks out of favour and he hasn`t been affraid to leave Lee Briers out even when fit etc


Tell you what, lets start loads of threads about Wigan on a Warrington board as that seems the norm, yeh that will be more interesting....Not

: Sun May 17, 2009 4:51 pm  

I'm not too sure about the salary cap, but surely somebody like King would have to go if we were to try and prize Gasnier away from France.

: Sun May 17, 2009 4:53 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

I'm not too sure about the salary cap, but surely somebody like King would have to go if we were to try and prize Gasnier away from France.

I wouldn`t lose too much sleep if that happened, he could keep Michael Monaghan company on the way home. Matt King for me is a massive waste of salary cap as is Michael Monaghan.

Re: So where do we need to strengthen for the future ? : Sun May 17, 2009 6:16 pm  

Paul Youane wrote:

Come on mods can't we do something about people dragging up all these old threads.

Dont comment thenn just go onto another thread.

: Sun May 17, 2009 6:25 pm  

Whoever comes in, the signing of 'star' players will be a thing of the past, if Smith's recruitment at Leeds is anything to go by.