Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 24, 2023 6:07 am  

Riderofthepalehorse wrote:

Last year at Huddersfield, sure he played part of the game against us, we were undone by Danny Levi in a relatively close game if I remember correctly, he is certainly a big unit, but can’t honestly say he made any kind of impact.

Ashworth has struggled to get into the first team at Huddersfield as you rightly say, but be it at prop or in the back row there was good competition in that pack with Seb, Hill, English, Laurence, Trout, McQueen, Jones and Yates and a few others, so if we have signed him, let’s at least give the guy a chance, that would be my feeling on it.

A lot of the time players don't or won't get on with coaches. Not saying that is the case but the Ashworth of St Helens was a big, forceful runner with great hands. Maybe a change of club and coach, will bring back some form for him as Watson doesn't seem to have worked his magic yet at Huddersfield, given their outlay.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 24, 2023 7:09 am  

To be fair to Ashworth he was playing pretty regularly first half of the season, seems as soon as he told Watson he wasn't staying, he didn't play again, not really a surprise, think he is that type of bitter person. I'd be shocked if Smith didn't try and bring him in early, but Watson wouldn't let us have him and then doesn't play him.

Talking of Hudds players, what has happened to Harvey Livett, wouldn't be a bad signing for us as a backrower.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 24, 2023 7:10 am  

GrahamBray wrote:

A lot of the time players don't or won't get on with coaches. Not saying that is the case but the Ashworth of St Helens was a big, forceful runner with great hands. Maybe a change of club and coach, will bring back some form for him as Watson doesn't seem to have worked his magic yet at Huddersfield, given their outlay.

I think Ashworth will be a very good signing for us, he looks comfortable in the front and back row when I've seen him, he's big, strong and runs good lines.
Can't believe whinging Watson is still in a job with the money he's spent and the players he's brought in they should be top 4 minimum, think he's been found out at Huddersfield.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 24, 2023 7:12 am  

Although I did mention that Ashworth was more of a middle, after I said that I watched some of his highlights, seems to have played more backrow that I remember and scored some good try and made breaks out wide (Some of these are in the championship when on loan though)

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 24, 2023 8:33 am  

Anyone else get the feeling that Tony Smith knows who we’ve signed, but he hasn’t told Adam Pearson or James Clarke yet?

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 24, 2023 8:43 am  

I’ll never call Ian Watson, he was gracious enough to take Josh Jones from us..

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 24, 2023 9:18 am  

Riderofthepalehorse wrote:

I’ll never call Ian Watson, he was gracious enough to take Josh Jones from us..

And decline Adam's interest before we got Smith- thank God!!! Sometimes these messiah type coaches work for just one club , a la Powell and Castleford, but not in another environment and I do think he was over rated, in hindsight.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 24, 2023 10:05 am  

GrahamBray wrote:

And decline Adam's interest before we got Smith- thank God!!! Sometimes these messiah type coaches work for just one club , a la Powell and Castleford, but not in another environment and I do think he was over rated, in hindsight.

Strange really Graham, Watto and Powell achieve excellent results with clubs with limited resources, yet they both move on to wealthier organisations and in Powells case crash and burn, and Watto to be fair a cup final appearance, otherwise a seemingly disappointing regime.

As you say it’s all about the right chemistry, players are the same, as in Ashworths case, who knows till he plays, as fans we can only support our team, especially with a coach who at the moment seems to be just what we needed.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 24, 2023 3:01 pm  

Hessle Roader wrote:

Bit of a poser this Ashworth one. Do we go with the Bonaire view or do we take the risk of leaving it to Tony. Hard to call!!

well Tony Smith did sign some real bummers in his time at HKR especially forwards.

[Chris71]

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Aug 24, 2023 3:17 pm  

bonaire wrote:

well Tony Smith did sign some real bummers in his time at HKR especially forwards.

That's true but that could have been due to the budget available at the time. Thought being honest I'm not really interested in who he did or didn't sign at Rovers as its what he does or doesn't do for Hull FC.

At least he has a long and proven track record for turning clubs around, getting the best out of existing players and improving the playing squads. He's done that at all the clubs he's been involved with and left them all in far better positions and condition with solid foundations (even our neighbours).