Re: Season over? : Fri Jul 30, 2021 2:50 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

You dont need to spend big to compete, just better cap management and use youth, we have failed on both for top long.

But the youth has to be good enough.
Not seen any backs to be excited about and apart from Jack Brown not seen a forward with real potential
The difference between 18 year old Pryce at Huddersfield and 19 year old McNamara was astounding given McNamara has been around the first team squad for several months

Re: Season over? : Fri Jul 30, 2021 2:54 pm  

bonaire wrote:

But the youth has to be good enough.
Not seen any backs to be excited about and apart from Jack Brown not seen a forward with real potential
The difference between 18 year old Pryce at Huddersfield and 19 year old McNamara was astounding given McNamara has been around the first team squad for several months

Pryce probably the wrong comparison - he has been a star throughout the youth levels and could be a once in a generation kind of player.

However, I agree on all the other points. I honestly think Abdull and Litten would massively improve us at the moment - players who Radford gave away. Our retention has been poor and done on sentiment rather than performance.

I think there are some promising kids coming through. Barron, Staveley, Burrell, Ferreira etc. so hopefully with the training centres we are strategically placing across the country, that can aid with the scouting of youth

Re: Season over? : Fri Jul 30, 2021 4:02 pm  

I like Hodgson and for me the jury's out until the end of the season which is far from over even if our expected next 2 results end with similar outcome. But I'm not understanding his choices on the bench? We must have at present the smallest bench in the league, I like Scott but was he needed last night? same with jj when Cator can cover Houghton, we Have a man who would have out jumped Hurrell all night not in the 17 and a young forward with great potential also not in the 17 as far as we know neither injured?

[Mild Rover]

Re: Season over? : Fri Jul 30, 2021 6:50 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

You dont need to spend big to compete, just better cap management and use youth, we have failed on both for top long.

There are a number of influential factors. However, I’d argue that money is the single biggest one. It’s a question of degree, and unromantic, but imo it is likely bigger than the rest combined.

Re: Season over? : Fri Jul 30, 2021 7:56 pm  

Was worried about props before the season started. Ended up with 2 very good campaigns.from Satae and Sao, a step up from Fash, and poor returns from Taylor, Bowden and Matongo. Change needed if we are to progress.

Re: Season over? : Sat Jul 31, 2021 12:36 am  

Squad has been unbalanced for a few seasons now, and will take a few seasons addressing it.
Forwards desperately need help.

Re: Season over? : Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:39 am  

I dont think our forwards are that big an issue, of the 7 props we have 5 are good enough, unfortunately one has been injured most of the year. The issue is how we use them.

I'd have another prop, but it won't matter until we address our issues of attacking in the opposition 20.

Re: Season over? : Sun Aug 01, 2021 11:35 pm  

Think some of our forwards are excellent - top drawer, sadly we are a couple short, IF Tag had been fit all year they wouldn't have had to play so many minutes.

BH improved defence massively.

Sadly our squad was assembled by LR to play Bradford style rugby - nobody mentions current COVID rules requiring fitter, lighter, quicker players. How the hell could tht have been seen coming ? Sadly we still dont' know next years rules - scrums ? restarts ?

Current squad lacks pace & creativity, BH knows this & hopefully is addressing. For me Mahe & Reynolds huge disapointments, I fear both Danny H & Sneyd have seen the game bypass them - we definitely need more from those positions.

Keep the faith, support AP & BH - spend money at the shop & over the turnstile !!!

Re: Season over? : Mon Aug 02, 2021 7:00 am  

Up until the last two games we where doing ok. Fallen away since. But still have chance to turn it round. Reynolds had co vd symptoms and may still be struggling. Bit harsh to say he's a poor signing. Hopefully get Connor Taylor Massi Savellio back in the near future

[Chris71]

Re: Season over? : Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:39 am  

Dave K. wrote:

I dont think our forwards are that big an issue, of the 7 props we have 5 are good enough, unfortunately one has been injured most of the year. The issue is how we use them.

I'd have another prop, but it won't matter until we address our issues of attacking in the opposition 20.

Agree with you Dave in both the Huddersfield and Leeds debacles the forwards made metres and gave us a platform but we generated very little from that which is a concern. Look at the first half against Leeds in particular when we dominated Leeds and had repeat sets and scored nothing as our attack was so disjointed and no creativity at all which bit us later in the game.