: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:26 am  

Inside Knowledge wrote:

Probably the lesser clubs such as Wigan and Quins, Probably Cas, Hudds and Wakefield although i think there content with what they have.

So none of the stronger teams we wish to emulate? This is my point.

PS - Not sure we can call Wigan a "lesser club" either when comparing against us. We do not compare favourably in either recent league final positions, support base or recent honours.

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:37 am  

Wires71 wrote:

So none of the stronger teams we wish to emulate? This is my point.

PS - Not sure we can call Wigan a "lesser club" either when comparing against us. We do not compare favourably in either recent league final positions, support base or recent honours.

Thing is though, would Mike Bennett have got into our team when he was still playing? I doubt it. Just because there isn't a clamour by a club with a better team to sign one of our players it doesn't automatically follow that they aren't good enough to play for them.

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:37 am  

Wires71 wrote:

So none of the stronger teams we wish to emulate? This is my point.

PS - Not sure we can call Wigan a "lesser club" either when comparing against us. We do not compare favourably in either recent league final positions, support base or recent honours.

I meant lesser club as in this years league positions but no i don't think the lights of Leeds and Saints would ever want him.

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:17 am  

Wires71 wrote:

So none of the stronger teams we wish to emulate? This is my point.

Here's the myth that the 'stronger' teams have players beyond the bench that are playing for country also?

you have to have players like Wood in your 'squad'.

I personally think he's a talented player, grafts hard, doesnt give too many cheap penalties away and can offload and has a good burst of speed. Im glad he's regaining some form.

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:03 pm  

Don't see anything wrong in giving him a 1 year deal, with the option of a further 12 months depending on injuries. He's certainly been impressive this season.

We don't want to lose 2 quality props at the end of the season. I would retain Woody, and get a prop in from the NRL. Looking at the players coming off contract, I like the look of Jeff Lima but I'm sure the oracle of Inside Knowledge will let us know who we will be signing. *

* Please do this on the correct thread to avoid the possibility of a ban.

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:14 pm  

Wires71 wrote:

In your opinion which other SL clubs would make a move for Wood if he became available at the end of 2009?

#

Honestly ? I think all would be mildly interested, they'd look at what wage he'd command etc. I could see him ending up at Wigan or Hull KR etc.

I'd give him a contract, no question.

I'd then, not bother looking to the NRL for a prop, I'd try and sign someone like Ferriol or Elima or somebody like that. I'd look to the NRL for a ball playing back rower to replace Louis, like a Puletua.

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 1:18 pm  

One more year....

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:13 pm  

Wood would comfortably hold his own within the top four props of any SL side given the chance to bed in.

But he's well and truly bedded in at Wire and that's why he should stay here - the value of having a player that knows the club inside-out far exceeds that of a player of similar ability brought in from elsewhere.

Woody's always been one of my favourite players - he's honest, consistent, makes 22 tackles a game at 96% and makes 12.6 carries a game, average 7.5m. One tackle-bust a match.

A handful of players with those sort of stats is the bedrock of any successful team, but Tony Smith will know this.

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:21 pm  

JWP wrote:

I'd then, not bother looking to the NRL for a prop, I'd try and sign someone like Ferriol or Elima or somebody like that. I'd look to the NRL for a ball playing back rower to replace Louis, like a Puletua.

JWP, what if we could get Solomona?

He can't be happy at the Bulls and, although his work-rate is below what you'd like, I was looking at him on Friday night and thinking "only one bloke in white is causing us any problems here, and it's him".

Thinking about the foundation of our back-row, it's Westwood and Harrison with - I would imagine - Mitchell, Blythe and McCarthy working their way into consistent first-team reckoning as this season goes on. So we're fine there.

As you say, then, we need a more explosive player to give us 25 minutes of quality and I see a consistent SL performer like, say, Solomona or Manu as that man. Hull Fc wouldn't let us near Manu though - they're too busy slogging him for 80 minutes each week.

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:56 pm  

Wouldn't mind a Ali Lauitiiti or a Solomona type player which are handful for the opposition ie good at keeping the ball alive, tough to bring down, great handling skills. However, they are both around the 30 mark and don't have a good history of injuries.