Re: Thomas Mikaele : Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:43 pm  

If we can get a quality second row or centre, it may well be of benefit, despite Mikaele's excellent performances.

I'd rather he stayed though.

Re: Thomas Mikaele : Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:56 pm  

As he will have played 7 games will he qualify for the GF winners ring that the other lads are inevitably going to get?

Re: Thomas Mikaele : Mon Mar 27, 2023 3:17 pm  

I guess the timing has at least 2 factors.
1) the size of any transfer fee being based on immediate(ish) release
2) Ensuring he leaves on good terms so no souring of squad by an unhappy player.
Good as he has been this season I can’t believe he is the difference between us winning something or not.
I’m inclined to the sign a second row as replacement as Wrench is nearing a return whereas I cant see many options to cover 2nd row

Re: Thomas Mikaele : Mon Mar 27, 2023 3:28 pm  

just_browny wrote:

When our game is based on rampaging props - as it is - there is no such thing as too many. Even if you can't get them all in to every matchday squad, there will always be some injured, suspended and/or in need of a rest. As we have seen all season to this point - not sure there have been any weeks where we have just dropped a prop we didn't need. So this is a blow.

Well said. The reason we've been able to manage McGuires ban and Harrisons injury is because we've got an arsenal of props and they've been ultra effective.

We can't afford to water it down, and we can't afford to keep flogging Vaughan. We should replace like for like, prop for prop.

Re: Thomas Mikaele : Mon Mar 27, 2023 3:42 pm  

As good as he’s been let’s not over react, he’s replaceable and I’m confident powell and Fitzpatrick will be all over this and strike when they identify him.

Re: Thomas Mikaele : Mon Mar 27, 2023 3:46 pm  

It's very disappointing - he's been excellent this season. I only hope that the club has already got an immediate replacement (either prop or a big second rower) lined up. Allowing a player to leave for compassionate reasons is understandable, letting them leave without a replacement would be very poor.

Given we've presumably been aware of this for a while I'm making the assumption we've been working behind the scenes to secure a decent replacement. Suppose we'll find out later this week......

Re: Thomas Mikaele : Mon Mar 27, 2023 3:53 pm  

Kevin Turvey wrote:

It's very disappointing - he's been excellent this season. I only hope that the club has already got an immediate replacement (either prop or a big second rower) lined up. Allowing a player to leave for compassionate reasons is understandable, letting them leave without a replacement would be very poor.

Given we've presumably been aware of this for a while I'm making the assumption we've been working behind the scenes to secure a decent replacement. Suppose we'll find out later this week......

Be no replacement, I was told. And Duckie’s claims that we’re after Herbert from Titans are wide of the mark, too.

Re: Thomas Mikaele : Mon Mar 27, 2023 4:00 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

Be no replacement, I was told. And Duckie’s claims that we’re after Herbert from Titans are wide of the mark, too.

Just when you thought the professionalism of the club had turned a corner.....

Re: Thomas Mikaele : Mon Mar 27, 2023 4:19 pm  

Personally, I think the club need to show they mean business here, especially after such a good start to the season, and Mr Moran & Middleton need to put in a huge offer for Matty Lees at Saints.

While being a good replacement it would also wind the Saints' fans up no end and that can only be good just for the banter...

Re: Thomas Mikaele : Mon Mar 27, 2023 4:31 pm  

Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

Personally, I think the club need to show they mean business here, especially after such a good start to the season, and Mr Moran & Middleton need to put in a huge offer for Matty Lees at Saints.

While being a good replacement it would also wind the Saints' fans up no end and that can only be good just for the banter...

Good shout, we would have to iron out the Ill discipline that has been rife at saints this season though.

It says in the guardian there was already a little cap space available for this season, even before mikaeles situation changed, so hopefully there will be a signing depending on who becomes available.