Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 12:23 pm  

Milky121086 wrote:

Carlos will play 2nd row next year i strongly believe that, he has all the attributes. I Personally reckon the below will b our strongest possible line up as it stands for 2024

Full Back
Walker

Wings
Tindall
Mcintosh

Centres
Scott
Sutcliffe

Halves
Trueman/Hoy
Brown

2nd Row
Tuimavave
Okunbur

Prop
Ese'ese
Ashworth

LF
Fash

Interchange
Sao
Pele
Smith
Cator/Lane

I also join others in really fancying a much improved season next year, TS has rid the club of a lot of its culture both on and off the field now and this is the 1st time we can confidently say this is his team and in the past a TS team has rarely not performed.

I also look at all the hype across the rover and think for the 1st time in their SL history, the pressure is on Rovers... They have set an expectation now and if they fall anywhere below where they have finished this season it will be deemed a failure on Peters... Much like TS, This is now a Peters side with very little remains from the previous leadership, They've spent a lot of money on some big names but i actually don't think they are any better off? They got May who is class but you could argue that Schneider was HUGE for them and they really picked up when he came and they've lost him so that's like for like if you ask me... Then they've lost Walker who much like Schneider was imperative to their end of season form, Then they've lost a HUGE player and leader in SKD and im not sure Gildart or Hiku are as capable a replacement personally. We may go a little under the radar now which may help us longer term take some pressure off the coach and the players! BRING ON 2024!!!

Moving players to unfamiliar positions ie Carlos and crossing our fingers they will perform will not improve us it just creates a problem backfilling centre.

I know this is negative and I hate to say it but that team even with a quality coach like Smith is in my opinion is not good enough to finish in the top six and that's what we should be aiming for.

I'll be absolutely delighted to be proved wrong and will be the first to acknowledge that.

Sorry!!

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 12:31 pm  

Marcus's Bicycle wrote:

Johnson signed by Smith at Rovers

Was it Sheens?

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 1:05 pm  

For me at least this is a squad i'd like to see:

Walker
Tindall
Sutcliffe
Carlos
Mcintosh
Hoy
Trueman
Ashworth
Nu Brown
Ese'ese
Scott
Okunbur
Sao

Pele
Brown
Houghton
Cator

I get the feeling that Scott would transition better into Second Row then Carlos, Scott appears to get bigger and stronger every pre season so a full pre season focused on this position could see him excel there.

I would like to see Sao at 13, his original position when we had signed him. He has the engine and the skill to play in this position and offers much more then the likes of Cator or Fash.

We actually have the luxury of options with our spine, Walker at FB is probably a certainty. Hoy and Trueman I could see been a decent partnership, with Trueman taking more of the reigns and Hoy using his kicking game. Although he will probably wear the number 7 next season I would like to see Nu Brown in at hooker with the likes of Houghton/Smith/Balmorth spelling for him off the bench. It's an extra creative player on the pitch and his selection for the NZ squad proves this is most likely his favoured position.

Overall, this squad is far from the best we've had in recent years. But what it does have is options which makes it exciting. Having said this, I still think we are a SR and a top class winger away from been a shoe in for the top 6. 7-8th is a realistic position to reflect the squad. However find some form and luck we could get up the top half of the league.

[Chris71]

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 2:08 pm  

Marcus's Bicycle wrote:

Milky121086 wrote:

Carlos will play 2nd row next year i strongly believe that, he has all the attributes. I Personally reckon the below will b our strongest possible line up as it stands for 2024

Full Back
Walker

Wings
Tindall
Mcintosh

Centres
Scott
Sutcliffe

Halves
Trueman/Hoy
Brown

2nd Row
Tuimavave
Okunbur

Prop
Ese'ese
Ashworth

LF
Fash

Interchange
Sao
Pele
Smith
Cator/Lane

I also join others in really fancying a much improved season next year, TS has rid the club of a lot of its culture both on and off the field now and this is the 1st time we can confidently say this is his team and in the past a TS team has rarely not performed.

I also look at all the hype across the rover and think for the 1st time in their SL history, the pressure is on Rovers... They have set an expectation now and if they fall anywhere below where they have finished this season it will be deemed a failure on Peters... Much like TS, This is now a Peters side with very little remains from the previous leadership, They've spent a lot of money on some big names but i actually don't think they are any better off? They got May who is class but you could argue that Schneider was HUGE for them and they really picked up when he came and they've lost him so that's like for like if you ask me... Then they've lost Walker who much like Schneider was imperative to their end of season form, Then they've lost a HUGE player and leader in SKD and im not sure Gildart or Hiku are as capable a replacement personally. We may go a little under the radar now which may help us longer term take some pressure off the coach and the players! BRING ON 2024!!!

Moving players to unfamiliar positions ie Carlos and crossing our fingers they will perform will not improve us it just creates a problem backfilling centre.

I know this is negative and I hate to say it but that team even with a quality coach like Smith is in my opinion is not good enough to finish in the top six and that's what we should be aiming for.

I'll be absolutely delighted to be proved wrong and will be the first to acknowledge that.

Sorry!!

Agree with MB's point and others who have aired a view of concern in regards the back row going in to 2024. We already had a questionable back row this season with Savelio & Lane as the only 2 recognised SR's, the fact that both were out performed by Griffin said a lot. We have since jettisoned both Griffin & Savelio and kept the worst performing by some way of the 3. We have brought in Okunbor & presumably Ashworth as our back row replacements of which neither are out and out second rowers. For me presently out back row looks a fair bit weaker than last season. Hopefully the likes of Staveley, Jebson and Severs will step up this season and Okunbor & Ashworth will be revelations at SR but that's a lot of hope.

The forwards we are looking a much stronger prospect for 2024 but feel we are going to miss Swift and Clifford somewhat.

It'll either go one of two ways, we will be pleasantly surprised or we will struggle, I'm hoping the former rather than the latter.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 2:13 pm  

HU8HFC wrote:

For me at least this is a squad i'd like to see:

Walker
Tindall
Sutcliffe
Carlos
Mcintosh
Hoy
Trueman
Ashworth
Nu Brown
Ese'ese
Scott
Okunbur
Sao

Pele
Brown
Houghton
Cator

I get the feeling that Scott would transition better into Second Row then Carlos, Scott appears to get bigger and stronger every pre season so a full pre season focused on this position could see him excel there.

I would like to see Sao at 13, his original position when we had signed him. He has the engine and the skill to play in this position and offers much more then the likes of Cator or Fash.

We actually have the luxury of options with our spine, Walker at FB is probably a certainty. Hoy and Trueman I could see been a decent partnership, with Trueman taking more of the reigns and Hoy using his kicking game. Although he will probably wear the number 7 next season I would like to see Nu Brown in at hooker with the likes of Houghton/Smith/Balmorth spelling for him off the bench. It's an extra creative player on the pitch and his selection for the NZ squad proves this is most likely his favoured position.

Overall, this squad is far from the best we've had in recent years. But what it does have is options which makes it exciting. Having said this, I still think we are a SR and a top class winger away from been a shoe in for the top 6. 7-8th is a realistic position to reflect the squad. However find some form and luck we could get up the top half of the league.

Really like this team (and your reasoning). However, whilst Trueman is out at the start of the season, I'd be using Nu Brown at scrum-half alongside Hoy, with Morgan Smith & Houghton sharing the hooking role. Then, when Trueman is fit, look at best spine options again. It might be 'Hobson's Choice' and we have an injury to one of Walker/Hoy/Trueman most of the time, knowing our luck!

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 3:00 pm  

Marcus's Bicycle wrote:

Moving players to unfamiliar positions ie Carlos and crossing our fingers they will perform will not improve us it just creates a problem backfilling centre.

I know this is negative and I hate to say it but that team even with a quality coach like Smith is in my opinion is not good enough to finish in the top six and that's what we should be aiming for.

I'll be absolutely delighted to be proved wrong and will be the first to acknowledge that.

Sorry!!

Good sensible post Marcus but you have now put yourself in the direct firing line of the crew

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:39 pm  

bonaire wrote:

Good sensible post Marcus but you have now put yourself in the direct firing line of the crew

Sod off Bonaire. I've put my head above the parapet but I'm not joining your gang (just yet) I'm still a fully paid up member of the crew.

You can check out anytime you want but you can never leave

E8 ultra.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:40 pm  

Shopping list just expanded to youth coach

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:49 pm  

Plum Bob wrote:

Shopping list just expanded to youth coach

Disappointing. He seemed to be well respected and making real progress with the Academy.

Obviously has a strong connection with Powell but nevertheless he will moving to a championship club.

Be interesting who replaces him.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:53 pm  

Marcus's Bicycle wrote:

Sod off Bonaire. I've put my head above the parapet but I'm not joining your gang (just yet) I'm still a fully paid up member of the crew.

You can check out anytime you want but you can never leave

E8 ultra.