Squad Composition : Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:37 pm  

Does anyone else think our squad is to forward biased??

As much as i am looking forward to seeing luaki and crocker in hullfc shirts i can't help thinking the money could be better spend on improving our backs namely an out and out scrum half and a top quality centre.

Backs

Tony, Calderwood, G.Horne, Yeaman, Briscoe, Raynor, Thorman, R.Horne, Whiting, Hall

Forwards

Dowes, Cusack, Thackray, King, Moa, Maloney, Luaki, Radford, Tickle, Manu, Crocker, Burnett, Washbrook, Lee, Houghton, Berrigan, Hodgson

By my count that is 17 forwards and 10 backs (this also includes G.Horne and Whiting who i think are more 2nd rowers than centres) unless i have missed someone. Even without our 2 potential signings (if they get VISA's) i think we have too many forwards compared to backs.

Thoughts??

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:43 pm  

Washbrook and Lee can also play in the backs, but other than that I agree with everything you said.

Next season we need to sign a quality full back, centre and 7.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:45 pm  

Yeamo wrote:

Washbrook and Lee can also play in the backs, but other than that I agree with everything you said.

Next season we need to sign a quality full back, centre and 7.

think this is the problem though as although they can play in the backs they are'nt backs and should only be used there if required due to injuries or other unforseen circumstances

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:08 pm  

We have lacked a quality scrum half since cooke left. And we have ultimately struggled since he left, he was not the best in the world but his simple but effective long pass made more tries for us than any of the recent replacements.
|I still think Thorman and Horne can make a good partnership although i don't think Throman can produce the goods when it is backs to the wall time.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:15 pm  

Yeamo wrote:

Washbrook and Lee can also play in the backs, but other than that I agree with everything you said.

Next season we need to sign a quality full back, centre and 7.

Thought you had kept one when you let 'second rate' Briscoe leave.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:16 pm  

The problem is, we could have Gidley in the centre and Thurston at scrum half, but if the forwards aren't cutting the mustard it will make little difference.

We need to get the prop/second row rotation sorted out.

We need the line speed in defence to improve about 300%.

We need to show some enthusiasm.

We need the forwards to start dominating their opponents and laying a sound platform for the backs we have got.

After that, lets consider spending money on top quality backs.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:18 pm  

Rock God X wrote:

The problem is, we could have Gidley in the centre and Thurston at scrum half, but if the forwards aren't cutting the mustard it will make little difference.

We need to get the prop/second row rotation sorted out.

We need the line speed in defence to improve about 300%.

We need to show some enthusiasm.

We need the forwards to start dominating their opponents and laying a sound platform for the backs we have got.

After that, lets consider spending money on top quality backs.

The forward rotation is a valid point, it killed of Fielden imo. Just because a player can put in a huge stint does not mean he should do, Agar has to be smarter.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:18 pm  

Agree with that RockgodX, no matter who is in the backs if the forwards fail to make the platform we will lose the majority of the games, yes you can get a lucky win when your forwards are dominated but they are few and far between.

Re: Squad Composition : Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:33 pm  

abel711989 wrote:

Does anyone else think our squad is to forward biased??

As much as i am looking forward to seeing luaki and crocker in hullfc shirts i can't help thinking the money could be better spend on improving our backs namely an out and out scrum half and a top quality centre.

Backs

Tony, Calderwood, G.Horne, Yeaman, Briscoe, Raynor, Thorman, R.Horne, Whiting, Hall

Forwards

Dowes, Cusack, Thackray, King, Moa, Maloney, Luaki, Radford, Tickle, Manu, Crocker, Burnett, Washbrook, Lee, Houghton, Berrigan, Hodgson

By my count that is 17 forwards and 10 backs (this also includes G.Horne and Whiting who i think are more 2nd rowers than centres) unless i have missed someone. Even without our 2 potential signings (if they get VISA's) i think we have too many forwards compared to backs.

Thoughts??

I understand your points but we need Crocker and Lauaki yesterday. Far from the money being better spent elsewhere we need to start with a pack that will stand up for itself and stop caving in to the opposition in the physical battle. These two should help. Judging by the last 2 performances this must be the softest pack in the league and certainly one of the weakest Hull have had for a long time.

Re: Squad Composition : Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:36 pm  

Staffs FC wrote:

I understand your points but we need Crocker and Lauaki yesterday. Far from the money being better spent elsewhere we need to start with a pack that will stand up for itself and stop caving in to the opposition in the physical battle. These two should help. Judging by the last 2 performances this must be the softest pack in the league and certainly one of the weakest Hull have had for a long time.

We were almost pushed off a scrum yesterday!!