Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 03, 2014 8:53 am  

I must say that I havent seen anything in his displays for Wigan that shows me that Powell will go on to become a better player than Smith within 2 years. (espy as Smith has shown that he can improve as well, so he will not stay put at the same level. he was also Dream Team SH for 2013 which shows how well he is regarded in his profession)
Williams is growing and has shown some true class, but at the same time has also been woeful at times.
If I had to choose, I would have Rocky at 6, Smith at 7, Williams on the bench cover (6/7/9) and Powell as backup. Sarginson actually looks like a better FB than Centre, and would have good competition from Tierney as a Bowen cover.

However, the gap from Green to Rocky is still a large one, so if we could get someone in for another year, that would be perfect. I dont believe any of the juniors have shown enough to give me that level of confidence yet as permanent half back replacement for Green.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:00 am  

...and if some rumours that have been posted on here are any indication we may have Sam Tomkins back in the mix at some point (although I won't personally believe it until something concrete happens).

Back to more solid foundations, Williams has been hit and miss but at 19 I think that is to be expected - he certainly has shown a lot of potenntial and looks to have a bright future. Hampshire is the wildcard for me - the injury this season has come at a very bad time for him as it looked like he was going to get a decent run into the team.

Sarg can also play HB so I am not sure we need to spend big money on another HB

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:22 am  

I would like to see Sarg get a shot at 6, he could very well be our answer as his style suits what we need. At the moment I think Thornley and Gelling are our centre partnership.

I think Powell is a 9 and I also think that Williams is a year or 2 away from having the game to be in such a kep position. I would like to see him go in loan next season.

Sarg offers a dynamic running game, and I feel could work well with Smith organising.

In an ideal world a 2 year signing at half would be the best solution and I am disappointed it seems we will not be signing Burns, he would have fitted the bill very well.

Sarg may well be the wildcard solution to the Green replacenent. I personally think Hampshire has 1 sown up if he continues the way he has started but if he does not Sarg may well be the other option to succeed Bowen.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 03, 2014 7:39 pm  

jonh wrote:

I would like to see Sarg get a shot at 6, he could very well be our answer as his style suits what we need. At the moment I think Thornley and Gelling are our centre partnership.

I think Powell is a 9 and I also think that Williams is a year or 2 away from having the game to be in such a kep position. I would like to see him go in loan next season.

Sarg offers a dynamic running game, and I feel could work well with Smith organising.

In an ideal world a 2 year signing at half would be the best solution and I am disappointed it seems we will not be signing Burns, he would have fitted the bill very well.

Sarg may well be the wildcard solution to the Green replacenent. I personally think Hampshire has 1 sown up if he continues the way he has started but if he does not Sarg may well be the other option to succeed Bowen.

I quite like Sarge, but I don't think he gets a spot anywhere when everyone is fit, though he's a great utility back to fill in for injuries.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:27 pm  

I still think our weak link in the team is left centre! I dont think either sarg or thornley are the answer. If we are to sign anyone else for next season then thats where i would hope it would be for. If we can keep taylor and bring in a left centre then we would be looking very strong!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 03, 2014 10:05 pm  

I would be surprised if we bought to replace Thornley.
Sarginson does have to find a spot and full back seems to be his best. He may well replace Bowen at 1.
Taylor will be with us 2015 then to Hull FC for 2016.
Smith is our permanent 7 so Rocky, George and Sam will have to rival each other for the 6 shirt. As has been said, Rocky and George to be rotated at 6 with Powell benched to replace MM at 9.
That appears the most likely scenario to me unless the club are to make some major signings.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:03 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

I would be surprised if we bought to replace Thornley.
Sarginson does have to find a spot and full back seems to be his best. He may well replace Bowen at 1.
Taylor will be with us 2015 then to Hull FC for 2016.
Smith is our permanent 7 so Rocky, George and Sam will have to rival each other for the 6 shirt. As has been said, Rocky and George to be rotated at 6 with Powell benched to replace MM at 9.
That appears the most likely scenario to me unless the club are to make some major signings.

I'm still hoping we bring in either a centre of 6 for next season. I don't like how inexperienced our back line is shaping up to be. We've realistically only got Smith, Bowen and arguably Charnley as our only experienced backs. Add in the highly likely scenario of Bowen missing a good chunk of games then, imo, we are experience thin.

It's strange really as we've moved incisively with guys like Tautaui and also paid good coin for class players like Joel and Bateman.

Maybe we are cutting our costs in preparation for a certain pordigal son returning in 2016?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:06 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I'm still hoping we bring in either a centre of 6 for next season. I don't like how inexperienced our back line is shaping up to be. We've realistically only got Smith, Bowen and arguably Charnley as our only experienced backs. Add in the highly likely scenario of Bowen missing a good chunk of games then, imo, we are experience thin.

It's strange really as we've moved incisively with guys like Tautaui and also paid good coin for class players like Joel and Bateman.

Maybe we are cutting our costs in preparation for a certain pordigal son returning in 2016?

All relative though isn't it? Gelling has over 50 games under his belt. Sarginson will have over 70 senior matches by next season. Thornley isn't that wet behind the ears either, and has some big games on his CV.

Of course they're not players with hundreds of games, but they're not complete rookies either.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:48 pm  

What do people think about where Logan Tomkins will be next season? I can't see a place anywhere near our first 17 next season, particularly with how well Powell and Williams have done. Salford need a hooker and with Josh Hodgson moving to the NRL so will Hull KR. IIRC he signed a long term contract fairly recently, maybe he'll be loaned out again?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:57 pm  

WARRIORCRAIG wrote:

What do people think about where Logan Tomkins will be next season? I can't see a place anywhere near our first 17 next season, particularly with how well Powell and Williams have done. Salford need a hooker and with Josh Hodgson moving to the NRL so will Hull KR. IIRC he signed a long term contract fairly recently, maybe he'll be loaned out again?

All the talk is he'll be back in the squad and fighting for a spot but to me I don't see where he could fit in. He's an 80 minute grafter for me and I think his career may kick on at a club where he'd play those type of minutes rather then stealing the odd 15 mins here and there.

If Salford want him I'd be trying to get as much of the docs money as possible.