Mike Cooper : Sat May 14, 2022 6:14 pm  

I really hope these rumours aren't true. With the wealth of young talent in his position we now have, why on earth would we be looking to sign a 33 year old prop? Yes, he is a decent player, but this is the last position we need strengthening and sends a terrible message to our younger lads hoping to build a future here.

Re: Mike Cooper : Sat May 14, 2022 7:29 pm  

Tend to agree. Had a good stint in Australia but at the end of his career. Stick with Trout, English, Wilson.

[Durham Giant]

Re: Mike Cooper : Sat May 14, 2022 8:43 pm  

Whilst I tend to agree there is some logic in it as I would mean we can alternate hill and cooper and gave a pack header in at all times to help develop our younger props

Re: Mike Cooper : Sat May 14, 2022 9:31 pm  

This is for next season so you cannot really comment on the squad until you know the ins and outs. There are a number of out of contract players and I would certainly expect the likes of Mason, Ashworth and Roberts to be leaving.
The club are trying to make themselves genuine challengers for silverware and to do this you constantly need to look at making your squad better.
As we have also seen it is more and more of a squad game so you need cover in the very position.

Re: Mike Cooper : Sat May 14, 2022 9:38 pm  

And we currently have by my count 8 prop forwards.. Hill, Trout, English, Wilson,Seb and Greenwood are all top notch. Lawrence, Mason i would happily see moved on / retire. We need decent squad cover in literally every other position more than this one and moreso signing Cooper may make the likes of Trout, Wilson and English want to go elsewhere in search of more gametime. Really bad move in my opinion.

Signing a top notch strike second row forward would make much more sense, we have far less cover there, with McQueen, Jones and Ashworth the ones i would keep and move Ollie Roberts on. so 3 second rows and 6 props and we look to sign another (old) prop....

Re: Mike Cooper : Sat May 14, 2022 9:43 pm  

We use at least 3 props on the bench every week so that is 5 in the 17. So having say 7 good props in not really excessive. Plus we don’t know the position of all the players contract wise. Both Seb and Greenwood are out of contract. Either or both may either not be offered a contract or may have decided themselves to move on.
I think I have enough trust that our coaching team will make sound decisions regarding next seasons squad.

Re: Mike Cooper : Sat May 14, 2022 9:47 pm  

The article I read also stated we had signed a top quality centre next year which could either mean Lutele going home or maybe Cudjoe retiring.

Re: Mike Cooper : Sat May 14, 2022 9:51 pm  

I would just be worried that Trout, Wilson and English would see it as a lack of faith in them, at their age they surely want to be playing more. If they all stay next year, then fair enough i would be worried they would want to be elsewhere where they are a consistent starting prop.

Re: Mike Cooper : Sat May 14, 2022 9:52 pm  

I would hope Cudjoe retiring as i massively rate Leutele, although he will be on a very high wage he is worth it in my opinion. Wardle is good, but rarely plays long before being injured so a third centre makes sense. We will surely be letting Cogger go next year as he is waste of an overseas spot, i'd like to see us sign a running half (i know Russell is trying to develop this in his game)

Re: Mike Cooper : Sat May 14, 2022 9:56 pm  

Hangerman2 wrote:

I would hope Cudjoe retiring as i massively rate Leutele, although he will be on a very high wage he is worth it in my opinion. Wardle is good, but rarely plays long before being injured so a third centre makes sense.

Totally agree with this. I hope Leutele stays but just concerned he is out of contract and would I am sure have a lot of clubs interested in him.