Re: Next years squad : Mon Jul 10, 2023 5:36 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Let's leave next years squad to the club, all that matters just now is SL survival.
4/5 weeks ago, we were dead an buried but, now, we have a realistic chance of avoiding the drop and should we do so, we need a better squad than we have now.

Strange comment about Tangianoa by Kirmudgeonly though ?? Kelepi is worth a spot all day long

Wasn’t suggesting I pick the team for next year was just interested to see where we were in comparison to previous seasons

[PopTart]

Re: Next years squad : Mon Jul 10, 2023 6:33 pm  

To me, the success of the squad revolves around the overseas players.
Proctor, Taufua and Atoni and to a certain extent Langi have under performed this year and that has probably been the biggest issue for us.
They aren't the worst players and have got better, but a team like ours needs recruits with recent NRL experience to absolutely lead the team forward.

Re: Next years squad : Mon Jul 10, 2023 6:59 pm  

PopTart wrote:

To me, the success of the squad revolves around the overseas players.
Proctor, Taufua and Atoni and to a certain extent Langi have under performed this year and that has probably been the biggest issue for us.
They aren't the worst players and have got better, but a team like ours needs recruits with recent NRL experience to absolutely lead the team forward.

Class overseas players cost plenty of wonga and obviously we were working to a tight budget hence why we had to take a gamble on the players we did . If it had come off it would have been hailed a master stroke but it’s left the club in a precarious position . On top of that we’ve had players drop out left right and centre , some long term some short , but all contributing to an unsettled team where it’s had to continually chop and change . When you look back to last season we scraped by with a more settled and quality team , so it’s little wonder we are we’re we are .

Re: Next years squad : Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:08 pm  

Kettykat wrote:

Class overseas players cost plenty of wonga and obviously we were working to a tight budget hence why we had to take a gamble on the players we did . If it had come off it would have been hailed a master stroke but it’s left the club in a precarious position . On top of that we’ve had players drop out left right and centre , some long term some short , but all contributing to an unsettled team where it’s had to continually chop and change . When you look back to last season we scraped by with a more settled and quality team , so it’s little wonder we are we’re we are .

All overseas players are a gamble and these days, as you say, proven NRL players, even towards the end of their careers, cost plenty, much more than we've had available.
Having said that, the improvement in Atoni since Fifita came back has been staggering, he looked like a real quality forward v Wigan.

[PopTart]

Re: Next years squad : Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:55 pm  

Kettykat wrote:

Class overseas players cost plenty of wonga and obviously we were working to a tight budget hence why we had to take a gamble on the players we did . If it had come off it would have been hailed a master stroke but it’s left the club in a precarious position . On top of that we’ve had players drop out left right and centre , some long term some short , but all contributing to an unsettled team where it’s had to continually chop and change . When you look back to last season we scraped by with a more settled and quality team , so it’s little wonder we are we’re we are .

I'm not blaming them for this season. There are loads of factors to that.

But overseas players are crucial to a successful team.

Re: Next years squad : Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:56 am  

Need to move on some of the “oldies” - I see some people have brought up James Roby but he is a freak of nature.

Re: Next years squad : Wed Jul 12, 2023 10:38 am  

I hope we sign up a few of our younger lads on long term deals.

Bowes
Eseh
Croft

Are three that I believe will in the next 2-5 years develop into regulars.

[PopTart]

Re: Next years squad : Wed Jul 12, 2023 10:43 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

I hope we sign up a few of our younger lads on long term deals.

Bowes
Eseh
Croft

Are three that I believe will in the next 2-5 years develop into regulars.

Not sure about Croft yet.
As soon as Law and Pratt have another years development under their belt I think they'll eclipse him.

Bowes is already a regular to me

Re: Next years squad : Wed Jul 12, 2023 11:03 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

I hope we sign up a few of our younger lads on long term deals.

Bowes
Eseh
Croft

Are three that I believe will in the next 2-5 years develop into regulars.

Once again I think our SL status will determine who re-resigns - I reckon Sam Eseh would be on his way. I think that lad has a big future.

Re: Next years squad : Wed Jul 12, 2023 11:31 am  

1315trinity wrote:

Once again I think our SL status will determine who re-resigns - I reckon Sam Eseh would be on his way. I think that lad has a big future.

He does but a full year in the championship would do his development good too. I’m sure the club are doing all they can with Eseh but he is as it stands contracted till end of 2024. I would imagine even if relegated he would command a fee.