Re: Team for 2024 : Tue Oct 24, 2023 9:50 am  

We’ll see some exits yet and then have a better idea of where we stand. The main thing I’m happy with is that Eckersley and Douglas will move up a spot and they should make their debuts in 2024. With a young back, the main thing you want to see is that they have a strong team to come in to and plenty of protection alongside them from a big/dominant pack and it seems impossible for them not to have that.

Re: Team for 2024 : Tue Oct 24, 2023 10:04 am  

CJamesy wrote:

Some serious depth in our squad, I’ve never seen one with so many options.
Full Backs:
Field, French, Hampshire.

Wingers:
Miski, Marshall, French, Field, Douglas, Eckersley.

Centres:
Wardle, Keighran, Eckersley, Isa, Thornley?

Halves:
Smith, French, Hampshire, Field, Farrimond, Shorrocks?

Props:
Dupree, Thompson, Ellis, Havard, Byrne, Mago, Cooper, Walters, Chan, Eseh, Hill, Makin.

Hookers:
O’Neill, Leeming, Powell? Forber.

Second Rowers:
L. Farrell, Walters, Isa, Nsemba, Shorrocks? Beardsworth.

Loose Forward:
O’Neill, Thompson, Havard, Ellis, Powell?O. Farrell? Shorrocks?

I don’t see us having Powell, Thornley or Shorrocks next year adding to the departures we are already aware of.

I also have a feeling Hill, Eseh and possibly Chan will spend much of 2024 at either top Championship teams or mid/lower table SL teams.

Re: Team for 2024 : Tue Oct 24, 2023 11:50 am  

Hasn’t Thornley gone to Wakefield?

Re: Team for 2024 : Tue Oct 24, 2023 12:02 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

We’ll see some exits yet and then have a better idea of where we stand. The main thing I’m happy with is that Eckersley and Douglas will move up a spot and they should make their debuts in 2024. With a young back, the main thing you want to see is that they have a strong team to come in to and plenty of protection alongside them from a big/dominant pack and it seems impossible for them not to have that.

Whilst I can't wait to see how the "big names" we've brought in perform, I'm really excited to see Eckersley get some games in 24. Undoubtedly Wardle or Keihgran will miss a game or two and I really hope he's gets a few hit ups.

Long term he's got all the physical attributes to be a gun player.

Re: Team for 2024 : Tue Oct 24, 2023 12:08 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

Whilst I can't wait to see how the "big names" we've brought in perform, I'm really excited to see Eckersley get some games in 24. Undoubtedly Wardle or Keihgran will miss a game or two and I really hope he's gets a few hit ups.

Long term he's got all the physical attributes to be a gun player.

Exactly my thoughts Re Eckersley

Re: Team for 2024 : Tue Oct 24, 2023 12:15 pm  

Yorkshire Warrior wrote:

Hasn’t Thornley gone to Wakefield?

Not confirmed. The Take over only confirmed yesterday so no players announced but they will be in the coming week.

Thornley, Walmsley (Fax) and McGillvray strongly rumoured to be first 3 through the door.

Re: Team for 2024 : Tue Oct 24, 2023 12:15 pm  

Jukesays wrote:

Exactly my thoughts Re Eckersley

Do you, or anyone else, have any idea what he's like for pace? The games I've seen him in have all been in atrocious conditions, so not really a chance to put the burners on.

Re: Team for 2024 : Tue Oct 24, 2023 12:30 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

Do you, or anyone else, have any idea what he's like for pace? The games I've seen him in have all been in atrocious conditions, so not really a chance to put the burners on.

Sure somebody like rogues could give a better answer but it does say this on his club profile

"In his high school days, Zach was a keen sprinter and represented Oldham & Royton Harriers as well as Greater Manchester schools."

so must have a bit of toe in him.

Re: Team for 2024 : Tue Oct 24, 2023 2:48 pm  

jonh wrote:

Not confirmed. The Take over only confirmed yesterday so no players announced but they will be in the coming week.

Thornley, Walmsley (Fax) and McGillvray strongly rumoured to be first 3 through the door.

Thanks for clarifying

Re: Team for 2024 : Tue Oct 24, 2023 4:03 pm  

There will be some departures I’m sure, but it is a strong a squad as I can recall for many a year. We will start as favourites next year you’d imagine. Keep everyone fit and we’ve a great chance of doing something special next year.

Be interesting to see what happens next year with French and Field and their respective contracts. Both up in 2024. Think there is a one year option for Field and two year option for French. No idea in whose favour it is.