Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Apr 10, 2023 7:27 am  

I wonder if this was announced after the world cup the, how the reaction would have been, think most fans would have been pleased including me.

Club really shoots itself in the foot sometimes, by hiding things.

If he can improve his discipline then he can be a good player, certainly works hard and and has a good engine.

This for me sees the end of Satae, I think we at most could have kept one of these, that would give us 3 quota spots.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Apr 10, 2023 7:33 am  

What a shambles this club has become, how can they expect supporters to keep coming in their thousands whilst constantly keeping us in the dark with these secret extensions? I dread to think how many others are actually signed up for 2024

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Apr 10, 2023 7:34 am  

[quote="HU8HFC"]What a shambles this club has become, how can they expect supporters to keep coming in their thousands whilst constantly keeping us in the dark with these secret extensions? I dread to think how many others are actually signed up for 2024[/quote]

That's my worry too

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Apr 10, 2023 7:55 am  

Fans cry that we have so many off contract during the seasons, turns out we don’t so they cry that a contract was extended before the seasons started.

Whilst it’s poop the club didn’t extend it, ridiculous people are crying. As someone else said if the club announced it straight after the World Cup everyone would be buzzing.

Also people quick to blame the “DJ” but Ligi Sao is a World Cup finalist who plays big minutes and has good ball playing ability. He’s a Smith player through and through so maybe he signed off on the extension before the clause expired.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Apr 10, 2023 8:08 am  

Hullrealist wrote:

Fans cry that we have so many off contract during the seasons, turns out we don’t so they cry that a contract was extended before the seasons started.

Whilst it’s poop the club didn’t extend it, ridiculous people are crying. As someone else said if the club announced it straight after the World Cup everyone would be buzzing.

Also people quick to blame the “DJ” but Ligi Sao is a World Cup finalist who plays big minutes and has good ball playing ability. He’s a Smith player through and through so maybe he signed off on the extension before the clause expired.

My gripe is the reoccurring lack of communication with fans regarding important matters. We pay a lot of money to follow this club and are needed more than ever with our current performances and financial situation, think we deserve at least a bit of honesty and clarity as to who is and isn’t off contract at the end of the year.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Apr 10, 2023 8:09 am  

Hullrealist wrote:

Fans cry that we have so many off contract during the seasons, turns out we don’t so they cry that a contract was extended before the seasons started.

Whilst it’s poop the club didn’t extend it, ridiculous people are crying. As someone else said if the club announced it straight after the World Cup everyone would be buzzing.

Also people quick to blame the “DJ” but Ligi Sao is a World Cup finalist who plays big minutes and has good ball playing ability. He’s a Smith player through and through so maybe he signed off on the extension before the clause expired.

Luke Gale was a world cup finalist, imagine if we'd given him a second year too. Realistically, we should have seen how Sao was getting on this season form and attitude wise under a new coach before giving him an extension

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Apr 10, 2023 8:14 am  

Hullrealist wrote:

I don’t get the fascination with Mitch. He’s a a decent squad player but ahe isn’t exactly on his side and we have so many bright sparks in the academy who should be blooded. Obviously hard to know who should be kept without knowing their cap value but for me:

Definitely Keep:

Hoy - Fans claim he’s not interested but seems to be the only fullback in league who’s having to take hit ups in his own 20.

Clifford - would be unreal behind a good pack

Swift - works unbelievably hard, age isn’t on his side but hopefully we can replace from within over the next few years.

Sutty - similar to swift in terms of work rate and can be replaced from within over next few years.

Trueman - obviously not had chance to show himself yet but still a good age and British half’s are few and far between.

Cator - should be a good squad player, high work rate and cheap on cap.

Wynne - got wheels, aggression and should be cheap on cap. Needs to work on controlling his passion a bit and I’m not sure if he’ll ever be a top SL player but wise to keep around

Brown - great age and has so much potential but get the impression his mentality/work ethic needs some work. Would’ve liked him to get a good loan move as seems to have stagnated.

Keep it finances are right:

Savelio - unreal player who id love to keep at club but injury history has to be a concern. Another one who his work ethic is a bit of a concern from what I’ve heard. Likes to be babied by physios and can’t be left to do a plan by himself.

Sao - plays big minutes, mobile and versatile. Needs a bit of work on discipline but with a stronger pack he’d play under less fatigue and have to do less.

Ben Mac - not 100% sold on him yet. Can catch & pass but how much influence does he actually have on a game… limited. Still a good age.

Scott - just doesn’t seem to kick on, had so much potential and not reaching it yet. Comes across as a professional with a bit of versatility and not a bad age. I’d keep him as a squad player if cheap before youth can step up.

Fash - another steady squad player. Should be around the 21 most weeks but will never be a top SL player. However what he lacks in talent he makes up for in endeavour. Plays big minutes, high work rate and good tackle efficiency. Should let players around him excel in a good side.

Satae - you don’t become a bad player over night but seems to have lost a bit of dominance. He’s an impact player who’s probably playing too many minutes right now.

Dwyer - rocks and diamonds player. Unreal going forward but I’m not sold on his defence at all. Id like to see us recruit a more rounded hooker and then see how Balmforth has progressed.

Carlos - what a man. But he’s not hitting the standards he should currently and has an injury record.

Griffin - probably one of our better players this season. If cheap I’d give him another year as we don’t want too much change in one go.

Rest of the first team Id happily let leave. Lane is the big name under contract I’d be wanting to move on. Maybe id try send him out on loan for a season to see if he fix up his issues but he appears to have regressed.

We need.

2 back rowers (if we keep savelio)
3 props (if we keep Sao & Satae)
1 hooker (if we keep Dwyer & balmforth steps up)
1 winger (on top of swift & mcintosh)
1 loose forward
3-4 championship prospects

12 new players in with the likes Staveley, Balmforth, Litten, Gardner, Laidlow, Armstrong, Martin & Wacokcoke stepping up into the squad

Agree with nearly all of this although Ligi is already signed up for next season

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Apr 10, 2023 8:23 am  

2023
Adam Swift, Chris Satae, Andre Savelio, Brad Fash, Joe Cator, Cam Scott (one-year option), Ben McNamara, Connor Wynne (one-year option), Josh Griffin, Devine Balmforth, Brad Dwyer, Kye Armstrong,

2024
Ligi Sao, Tex Hoy (one-year option), Carlos Tuimavave, Jake Clifford (one-year option), Jack Brown, Davy Litten, Charlie Severs.

2025
Liam Sutcliffe, Jake Trueman

Cator, Savelio, Dwyer, Griffin and Scott benefit of the doubt for me I'd offer them a one year deal,few if cheap keep, shame Laney and MacIntosh are contracted they'd be out the door for me. Kye Armstrong highly rated and wanted by a few other clubs so interesting to see if the club mess it up with him.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Apr 10, 2023 8:39 am  

Steve0 wrote:

Luke Gale was a world cup finalist, imagine if we'd given him a second year too. Realistically, we should have seen how Sao was getting on this season form and attitude wise under a new coach before giving him an extension

The difference was Ligi Sao was a finalist 2 weeks earlier. Smith also said when he came in that he was taking control of all rugby aspects so I’m not sure why fans think he won’t have signed off on this.

The only thing people can be vexed off at is the lack of communication. My only thought can be they thought we’ll trigger the extension and then announce a new two year deal when we agree one

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Apr 10, 2023 10:40 am  

When will people realise clubs never announce things as they happen. They release them when it suits. I have no doubt they were waiting to announce Ligi (if it’s even true) until when/if he has a top game.