Re: What now? : Sat Oct 09, 2021 10:27 am  

Dave K. wrote:

Cant look past Saints and Catalans for next season, Leeds look good on paper too. Be intresting how Warrington go under Powell, they would be my top 4. Always a shock though, I'd guess we will be 5th to 8th. All depends on injuries and how our new signings go.

As said before IMO the squad has no depth. 1-17 are OK but we are massively over reliant on them all remaining fit.

Re: What now? : Sat Oct 09, 2021 10:42 am  

Mrs Barista wrote:

As said before IMO the squad has no depth. 1-17 are OK but we are massively over reliant on them all remaining fit.

It's about the youth, look at Leeds last year, loads of injuries, but brought in 17 and 18 year olds and still competed,no squad now has superstars throughout the squad, the top sides use their academy, we need to trust in our young players.

Re: What now? : Sat Oct 09, 2021 10:44 am  

Our squad wasnt bad I dont think our best 17 was good enough, lacked pace and creativity. Hodgson's also strange bench selection didnt help.

Think we are slowly addressing some issues,but still need to improve our 17 in a couple of positions.

Re: What now? : Sat Oct 09, 2021 10:45 am  

Mrs Barista wrote:

As said before IMO the squad has no depth. 1-17 are OK but we are massively over reliant on them all remaining fit.

Players outside the 17 last year included McNamara, Brown, Swift, Bowden, Wynne, Scott, Matongo and Shaul, hardy mugs, but 7 or 8 injuries takes its toll on the whole squad.

Re: What now? : Sat Oct 09, 2021 11:21 am  

Mrs Barista wrote:

As said before IMO the squad has no depth. 1-17 are OK but we are massively over reliant on them all remaining fit.

Agree, at the start of the season when most of the squad was fit we were competitive in just about all of the games. As the season went on when we suffered injuries (no worse than most others teams) we collapsed.

Re: What now? : Sat Oct 09, 2021 11:40 am  

Dave K. wrote:

Those 3 are a defensive nightmare and all have too many mistakes in them.

I guess we will see. I imagine they'll knock on more than Swift, but Swift will get taken into touch/behind the goal line more often. McIntosh is known to have a few errors in him, especially if playing fullback. I'm looking forward to us trying to utilise a bit of pace out wide, but I'm really concerned about where our early yardage will come from other than Griffin.

Re: What now? : Sat Oct 09, 2021 12:39 pm  

Swift made more yards out of back play than either of them. We moan when we have no pace . Do something about then say we have no power .

Re: What now? : Sat Oct 09, 2021 12:44 pm  

hull2524 wrote:

Swift made more yards out of back play than either of them. We moan when we have no pace . Do something about then say we have no power .

... and made more errors (11th place) than Fonua and Fariamo, neither of whom featured in last seasons penalties and errors top 20's.

Re: What now? : Sat Oct 09, 2021 1:00 pm  

It's the manner of the errors, that counts, oftern saw Faraimo drop the ball on the 2nd in our own 20.

Or Fonua attempt a ball steal or some other brain fart also in our own 20. Which we generally got crucified for.

Can't remember Swift making many errors in dangerous areas that led to trys. Plays alot more intelligently than Fonua and Faraimo.

Would be interested to see the clean break stats and missed tackles.

Re: What now? : Sat Oct 09, 2021 1:08 pm  

No bold predictions about top 4 or 5 from me.

Were a club in transition, from dressing room culture, to style of play on the pitch, under Hodgson I'd say for the better. I like that he's bringing in versatile signings that can adequately cover a second position in Lovodua and Macintosh.

Our squads unbalanced we have 3 fullbacks. 3 hookers 2 of which needed replacing, umpteen props a couple who can't string 4 games together, big rebuilding job.

We also have the academy that needs bringing upto scratch, yes we're bringing young lads through but with no bridge in place due to lack of reserve rugby alot have looked not ready, hopefully Hodgson and Shenton inspire more Higher quality young lads coming through the system.

As alot say we're struggling in depth, something the versatile nature of Hodgsons signings will help with.

Still abit of fat to be trimmed too. I'd expect more signings next season when a few overpaidid contracts expire. If be happy with qualifying for the playoffs

Johnstone
Shaul
Bowden
Matongo