Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 05, 2021 9:57 pm  

Pieman wrote:

your right, the squad seems so unbalanced

I think the issue is upfront.

It is stacked out numbers wise but the quality is poor.

I think we seem to be correcting that replacing quantity with quality (on paper anyway).

I personally don’t like carrying too many players who have the utility tag. I’m ok with Bibby but I don’t think we need any more Field needs to start. We can’t be using quota spots on players that don’t make the starting 13 in my opinion. If he is good enough to start, jury is still out.

I think someone posted about the French and Field issue and I agree. I think there has been a bit of mismanagement there combined with circumstance.

Sadly it looks like Tommy may have played his last game for us. It’s a shame he doesn’t go out on his terms but that’s rugby.

Hastings has been a revelation since he came to SL, Norman is a significantly superior player to where Hastings was when he came. They are obviously at different stages of their careers but I’m of the opinion he would still be an excellent pick up.

Still a few strong rumours about Hardaker that won’t seem to go away. If he does go we need to recruit a centre, as it is I’d say we are about ready to go next year if we can sign another half.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:47 pm  

jonh wrote:

I think the issue is upfront.

It is stacked out numbers wise but the quality is poor.

I think we seem to be correcting that replacing quantity with quality (on paper anyway).

I personally don’t like carrying too many players who have the utility tag. I’m ok with Bibby but I don’t think we need any more Field needs to start. We can’t be using quota spots on players that don’t make the starting 13 in my opinion. If he is good enough to start, jury is still out.

I think someone posted about the French and Field issue and I agree. I think there has been a bit of mismanagement there combined with circumstance.

Sadly it looks like Tommy may have played his last game for us. It’s a shame he doesn’t go out on his terms but that’s rugby.

Hastings has been a revelation since he came to SL, Norman is a significantly superior player to where Hastings was when he came. They are obviously at different stages of their careers but I’m of the opinion he would still be an excellent pick up.

Still a few strong rumours about Hardaker that won’t seem to go away. If he does go we need to recruit a centre, as it is I’d say we are about ready to go next year if we can sign another half.

John I believe we signed Field to replace Hastings not French
Hastings I understand did not fully trigger his option until late in the day and at various points suggested he wasn’t going to extend his contract which was a contributing factor why our current squad is out of balance.

Hardaker has I believe moved back to Ponte and there is no way he is going to spend 3 hours a day 4 or 5 times a week trundling along the M62 therefore, we need at least 1 centre arguably 2 if Hankinson isn’t considered to be a starting centre.

The halves next year I suspect will be Field and Smith supported by French Powell and Shorrocks.
I’d rather we signed a top class centre rather than another 6 or 7. We have lost Gildart and I suspect Hardaker therefore recruiting centres for me has to be our priority

If I

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Aug 06, 2021 12:16 am  

jonh wrote:

I think the issue is upfront.

It is stacked out numbers wise but the quality is poor.

I think we seem to be correcting that replacing quantity with quality (on paper anyway).

I personally don’t like carrying too many players who have the utility tag. I’m ok with Bibby but I don’t think we need any more Field needs to start. We can’t be using quota spots on players that don’t make the starting 13 in my opinion. If he is good enough to start, jury is still out.

I think someone posted about the French and Field issue and I agree. I think there has been a bit of mismanagement there combined with circumstance.

Sadly it looks like Tommy may have played his last game for us. It’s a shame he doesn’t go out on his terms but that’s rugby.

Hastings has been a revelation since he came to SL, Norman is a significantly superior player to where Hastings was when he came. They are obviously at different stages of their careers but I’m of the opinion he would still be an excellent pick up.

Still a few strong rumours about Hardaker that won’t seem to go away. If he does go we need to recruit a centre, as it is I’d say we are about ready to go next year if we can sign another half.

The problem is where do we find a centre? Our overseas quota is already oversubscribed and there are not too many quality players knocking around SL.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Aug 06, 2021 5:38 am  

[quote[/quote]

Sweaty Betty's wrote:

The problem is where do we find a centre? Our overseas quota is already oversubscribed and there are not too many quality players knocking around SL.

Thornley is one

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:38 am  

Sweaty Betty's wrote:

The problem is where do we find a centre? Our overseas quota is already oversubscribed and there are not too many quality players knocking around SL.

Hankinson is the other

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:41 am  

We probably won’t this year due to Manfredi retiring but I’d like to see Bibby given a run at centre. His best position imo and don’t think he has the pace or safety under the high ball to be a top winger, albeit good cover there.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Aug 06, 2021 10:18 am  

JIMMY MAGNETS wrote:

Thornley is one

he said quality

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Aug 06, 2021 10:19 am  

NSW wrote:

We probably won’t this year due to Manfredi retiring but I’d like to see Bibby given a run at centre. His best position imo and don’t think he has the pace or safety under the high ball to be a top winger, albeit good cover there.

I dont think he has the hands to be a top centre

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:26 pm  

Hardaker has definitely moved somewhere. I drive past his house (former house) on the way to and from work and after the GF last year I've never seen his car since.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:47 pm  

Pie_Eyter wrote:

Hardaker has definitely moved somewhere. I drive past his house (former house) on the way to and from work and after the GF last year I've never seen his car since.

Really hope this is a joke post. If not, then get help