Re: 2025 league predictions : Thu Jan 09, 2025 10:52 am  

Hoping Cartwright stays fit, liked what isaw last year, could be one of the best backrowers in SL.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Thu Jan 09, 2025 2:59 pm  

Mr. Zucchini Head wrote:

I actually think our pack is amongst the better ones in the league. Ese'ese and Asiata are two of the best in SL (injury question marks next to Asiata admittedly), Jed Cartwright looks like he could be a quality addition, Holmes and Ashworth are solid SL players, and whilst Sao can be a liability there's no doubt he has the talent if Cartwright can get him channelling his aggression in the right ways. Lane and Fash are plodders, but every squad has those. I really like Staveley and hope he gets an early chance, and Salabio is an interesting project signing. At hooker we've got Borough who is solid if unspectacular and Balmforth who could be a superstar of he can tidy up some parts of his game and get his fitness where it needs to be.

The back line is the worry. It's workmanlike, but not exactly exciting. If we get get Cross it immediately looks better. But I think we are really going to need someone like Litten to have a real breakout year, because if we are relying on guys like Chamberlain playing a lot of games then we aren't going to be going very far.

I'll get hammered as a troll no doubt but for me you've got Ese ese Asiata, Cartwright and Rapana that have real quality, then you've got some talented young lads, I like Moy, he's very exciting BUT still very small. Balmforth, Staveley and Martin look very promising, but as promising as they look are they om a par with the young kids that Wigan produce? IMO no.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Thu Jan 09, 2025 3:22 pm  

Moy is on the smallish side. But he has put nearly a stone on. Shaul wasn't that big but he did ok

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 10, 2025 12:22 pm  

bishops finger wrote:

I'll get hammered as a troll no doubt but for me you've got Ese ese Asiata, Cartwright and Rapana that have real quality, then you've got some talented young lads, I like Moy, he's very exciting BUT still very small. Balmforth, Staveley and Martin look very promising, but as promising as they look are they om a par with the young kids that Wigan produce? IMO no.

No I don't think that's unfair. The 4 you mention are the 4 that I am sure will produce. But there are plenty of others who are proven SL players. Might not rip up any trees but they are experienced and dependable and should help right the ship during this transitional period we are clearly in. Cust is perhaps the most interesting one. I actually think he could prove to be an inspired signing, but he also could just fall into that previous category.

The thing that sets Wigan apart is the volume of quality youngsters. Year after year they seem to be able to roll a bunch more off the production line. But in terms of quality I don't think they currently have anyone breaking through that is streets ahead of a Moy, Balmforth, Martin or Staveley. I think those 4 in particular have the ability to be anything with the right coaching. And there are some other very promising kids too.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 10, 2025 4:44 pm  

Mr. Zucchini Head wrote:

No I don't think that's unfair. The 4 you mention are the 4 that I am sure will produce. But there are plenty of others who are proven SL players. Might not rip up any trees but they are experienced and dependable and should help right the ship during this transitional period we are clearly in. Cust is perhaps the most interesting one. I actually think he could prove to be an inspired signing, but he also could just fall into that previous category.

The thing that sets Wigan apart is the volume of quality youngsters. Year after year they seem to be able to roll a bunch more off the production line. But in terms of quality I don't think they currently have anyone breaking through that is streets ahead of a Moy, Balmforth, Martin or Staveley. I think those 4 in particular have the ability to be anything with the right coaching. And there are some other very promising kids too.

I'm not saying that fc's youngsters aren't good enough, but for me there still 2 or 3 years off being fully developed, Wigan have Nsemba, Hill and Eckersley that are maybe a year older but far bigger and imo far better,
I think now that fc have these two loaded guys on board the whole idea of not wanting to block the pathway of the youngsters may well go out of the window, especially if they don't see the club improving quick enough. Just an observation obviously

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 10, 2025 5:32 pm  

bishops finger wrote:

I'm not saying that fc's youngsters aren't good enough, but for me there still 2 or 3 years off being fully developed, Wigan have Nsemba, Hill and Eckersley that are maybe a year older but far bigger and imo far better,
I think now that fc have these two loaded guys on board the whole idea of not wanting to block the pathway of the youngsters may well go out of the window, especially if they don't see the club improving quick enough. Just an observation obviously

Balmforth is big for a hooker. Staverly big lad to. Hard to judge against Nsemba as the bloke is bigger than most SL players. Wigan are far ahead of all teams in this respect. But we have Martin. Barron.Moy. Balmforth. Staverly.Who could certainly step up in the next year. Plus we have others waiting in the wings.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Sat Jan 11, 2025 1:04 am  

bishops finger wrote:

I'm not saying that fc's youngsters aren't good enough, but for me there still 2 or 3 years off being fully developed, Wigan have Nsemba, Hill and Eckersley that are maybe a year older but far bigger and imo far better,
I think now that fc have these two loaded guys on board the whole idea of not wanting to block the pathway of the youngsters may well go out of the window, especially if they don't see the club improving quick enough. Just an observation obviously

Time will tell I suppose. I expect money will get thrown around on certain targets, but Myler has been around the game long enough to know that splashing out on players can only get you so far in Super League. It's a tight salary cap, and whilst you might strike it lucky with a group of players every now and then (see Hull FC 2016/17) it's all going to unravel when the squad starts to age, or when contract renewal time comes around and guys want to get paid etc. The only proven method of sustainable success is to have that academy production line consistently turning out 2 or 3 quality players per season, and supplement that with the big star signings, and that's clearly where we want to try to get to.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Sat Jan 11, 2025 6:23 am  

bishops finger wrote:

but as promising as they look are they om a par with the young kids that Wigan produce? IMO no.

I see what you’re saying but not all the youngsters Wigan produce are superstars like Tomkins. Look at the 3 you’ve got, Gildart, Davies and Burgess. All 3 had success with Wigan and top SL players, I don’t see why the likes of Martin and Barron can’t be at least as good as them even the likes of Litten and Charles have something about them just need a bit more physical development. I don’t think the Wigan lads age 18-19 are particularly better than anyone else, just the overall environment is better. Now Hull seemingly don’t have to worry about money short term and diverting cash from elsewhere to the first team the challenge for Myler is to recreate that Wigan, Leeds and Saints environment for young players. He’s making the right noises only time will tell.

[Chris71]

Re: 2025 league predictions : Sat Jan 11, 2025 2:21 pm  

DSJ1983 wrote:

I see what you’re saying but not all the youngsters Wigan produce are superstars like Tomkins. Look at the 3 you’ve got, Gildart, Davies and Burgess. All 3 had success with Wigan and top SL players, I don’t see why the likes of Martin and Barron can’t be at least as good as them even the likes of Litten and Charles have something about them just need a bit more physical development. I don’t think the Wigan lads age 18-19 are particularly better than anyone else, just the overall environment is better. Now Hull seemingly don’t have to worry about money short term and diverting cash from elsewhere to the first team the challenge for Myler is to recreate that Wigan, Leeds and Saints environment for young players. He’s making the right noises only time will tell.

The bit in bold is the biggest difference for me and you’ve hit the nail on the head there.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Sat Jan 11, 2025 4:28 pm  

ComeOnYouUll wrote:

Super League clubs enter at Round 3 with games taking place 8th/9th February (the week before the league season starts). All SL clubs will be drawn away at one of the twenty Second Round winners.The draw will be taking place probably on 27th January.

Turns out the third round draw is next Tuesday at 6pm on the BBC iPlayer. Not only before round two takes place but the bad weather means some first round games will also not have happened so it could end up A or B or C or D v Hull FC.