: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:21 pm  

ELLY! wrote:

Exactly, with respect a 'solid SL player' is fine for Huddersfield or Warrington (:wink:) but we need more than solid if we want to win anything.

With respect in the modern game with the salary cap restrictions you need your solid players as well as your superstars.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:34 pm  

Bolton_Warrior wrote:

I would go further and say too many so called world class players on world class wages meaning the cake was cut to thin for the rest of squad.

You need a team of solid players, backed up with a sprinkling of youth and a couple of star names. .

We are very close to achieving this imo a lot of our current team is very young and talented and if we get the balance right then we could have the team we've been calling for;

1-Richards/Roberts
2-Ainscough
3-World class centre (on par with Gildley is a must)
4-Goulding
5-Richards/Roberts
6-Tomkins
7-Smith
8-Fielden
9-Riddell
10-New prop
11-Hansen
12-Lockers
13-Tomkins

Prescott
Hock
Feka
Leuleui

Plenty of youngsters like O’Carroll, Mcilorum, Farrell, Mossop, Thornley, Vievers to step up for CC games and injures.

We realistically only need a new centre and a good British prop and we then we have a quality team for the next four years. It’s very achievable all we have to make sure is the new prop is a good $hit house one and a world class is brought in.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:36 pm  

thepriestman85 wrote:

We are very close to achieving this imo a lot of our current team is very young and talented and if we get the balance right then we could have the right mix

You are right mate, this is the closest we have been for a good few years in getting the balance right.

IL said when he took over it would be a good couple of years before we are ready to be at the top again. Whilst I don't think we will be the top team this season I still think we can win some silverware or at least be there on the day with a chance.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:46 pm  

Bolton_Warrior wrote:

You are right mate, this is the closest we have been for a good few years in getting the balance right.

IL said when he took over it would be a good couple of years before we are ready to be at the top again. Whilst I don't think we will be the top team this season I still think we can win some silverware or at least be there on the day with a chance.

I think with one or two good signings the balance will be right in 2010. We do need to blood a few certain youngsters this year to achcieve that though.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:48 pm  

- Neil - wrote:

With respect in the modern game with the salary cap restrictions you need your solid players as well as your superstars.

We haven't got any.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:51 pm  

thepriestman85 wrote:

Smith isn't an average player and Roberts has played two games:roll: It's quite feasible to imagine if either became eligible for GB they would both be snapped up in an instant.

I bet you can't post that again at the end of the season. Riddell and Smith would rather hit King St than the training ground and neither are in a position where they can afford to do so. Roberts is overrated and adds nothing to the squad Colbon didn't last year. Ainscough is twice the player already.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:54 pm  

ELLY! wrote:

We haven't got any.

Hock, Smith, Roberts, Pryce and Riddell do have the potential but I dont think Noble is picking the right team or tactics.


and we have a world cup winner in the squad so he must be a superstar

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:57 pm  

ELLY! wrote:

I bet you can't post that again at the end of the season. Riddell and Smith would rather hit King St than the training ground and neither are in a position where they can afford to do so. Roberts is overrated and adds nothing to the squad Colbon didn't last year. Ainscough is twice the player already.

Till you have any facts or evidence about Smith and Riddell on king street nobody is going to believe you.

Ok they like a drink...so what? They can do what they please in their own time as long as it doesnt affect their performances on the pitch.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:06 pm  

ELLY! wrote:

I bet you can't post that again at the end of the season. Riddell and Smith would rather hit King St than the training ground and neither are in a position where they can afford to do so. Roberts is overrated and adds nothing to the squad Colbon didn't last year. Ainscough is twice the player already.

The fact is Smith was our MOM last week! Not only have we been praising him but Hull fans have also commented just how good he was 2. He must be doing something right. He's got undoubted potential and is already a cracking SH. Do i think he's a 6? Probably not but his skill set is perfect for the SH role and if he's stays at Wigan with Tomkins as his HB partner we can all have something to look forward to.

What are you basing your statement about Ainsough being twice the player Roberts is on? Is it all the SL and Challenge cup games he's played? Or is it Ainscoughs try scoring record season after season like Roberts has?

Untill he’s played a SL all he can be is good prospect and nothing more. You don’t become a good player until you do the business in the full league.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:11 pm  

- Neil - wrote:

I think with one or two good signings the balance will be right in 2010. We do need to blood a few certain youngsters this year to achcieve that though.

Defiantly. Sam T and Ainscough shouldn't be playing every week but hopefully they’ll play a good number of games to aid their development this season. The more experience they get this season the better we’ll be going forward next season

My only concern is Noble may not be the person to achieve the team we could potentially have or make the most of it either.

I really do feel we are on the cusp of something with the squad we have, two major signings in the prop and Centre spot and we could easily be challenging.