Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:47 am  

ComeOnYouUll wrote:

And at least two of them need to be on-field leaders who the rest of the squad look up to and respect.

I really hope we are looking at replacing Carlos with Gagai despite his age. The blokes character is exactly what we need around the place day in day out.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:52 am  

Absolutely agree that we need leaders but I would also say that we in general need to be smarter too. We don't want to be bringing anyone else in that's likely to be sat in the stands a lot due to discipline or through injury. Any players with a dodgy disciplinary and injury record need to be avoided at all costs.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:48 pm  

I think we need to root out the last of the gone stale and penalty/error brigade.

Houghton, Carlos, Cator, Lane, Sao, Fash

I honestly think in Staveley, Jebson, Balmforth and Severs if allowed gametime and chance to develop you can cover most of them.

Add in some solid leadership and professionalism in the pivots and we d see a marked improvement.

I think a huge millstone around our neck are the so called leadership group who are often our worst offenders with brainfarts and well a total lack of senior responsibilities, i just dont think they have the right personalities to take it on.

if weve anything about us we d really be working on developing a future leadership group

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:58 pm  

I think we need a couple of people with the level of experience of JWH, Johnson etc, even if they are a bit older, get players of that level of experience in for a year and let them set the markers for culture in the camp, it'll be invaluable for the younger players, all well and good having great young players, but who do they learn off? Someone that's done it all? Or someone that puts their hands on their hips and takes shortcuts when the going gets tough. If I were a youngster in that team, the only players I think I'd look up to would be Houghton for what he's done in the game and Ese Ese, can't say any others would particularly inspire me to raise my game

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Mon Mar 25, 2024 2:07 pm  

Rocknrolla69er wrote:

I think a huge millstone around our neck are the so called leadership group who are often our worst offenders with brainfarts and well a total lack of senior responsibilities, i just dont think they have the right personalities to take it on.

Totally agree, all the great teams talk about how senior players set the tone in everything that happens on the training field and in the gym. I don’t think we have a single person in the squad who would call out other players slacking and taking shortcuts at training.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:29 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

I was talking to someone connected to the club yesterday, they said that the club new this season would be a right off, particularly if they picked up a few injuries. Next season, club are in a better position to recruit and will look to spend the full cap and at least one marquee player (would have been one this year of Clifford excepted his improved deal). This person is usually spot on with his info.

If this is true, I don't know why Pearson just doesn't come out and say that, say this season is about consolidating financially with an aim of bringing more local players through, well below the cap, with the aim of spending at cap and above next season.

I could get along with this season a lot more if this was the case and was told to fans.

He cant keep saying we are spending at cap like he does then come out with we are well below cap with the aim of of spending at cap next season.
He has already blown the credibility he had with the fans by going to ground

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:32 pm  

Steve0 wrote:

I think we need a couple of people with the level of experience of JWH, Johnson etc, even if they are a bit older, get players of that level of experience in for a year and let them set the markers for culture in the camp, it'll be invaluable for the younger players, all well and good having great young players, but who do they learn off? Someone that's done it all? Or someone that puts their hands on their hips and takes shortcuts when the going gets tough. If I were a youngster in that team, the only players I think I'd look up to would be Houghton for what he's done in the game and Ese Ese, can't say any others would particularly inspire me to raise my game

problem is Steve Houghton doesnt inspire anyone on the field.
He may be respected but there is a big difference in respecting someone to been inspired by someone

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:51 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

I was talking to someone connected to the club yesterday, they said that the club new this season would be a right off, particularly if they picked up a few injuries. Next season, club are in a better position to recruit and will look to spend the full cap and at least one marquee player (would have been one this year of Clifford excepted his improved deal). This person is usually spot on with his info.

If this is true, I don't know why Pearson just doesn't come out and say that, say this season is about consolidating financially with an aim of bringing more local players through, well below the cap, with the aim of spending at cap and above next season.

I could get along with this season a lot more if this was the case and was told to fans.

Even before the season started, I suspected this would be the case this season.

We have a Covid loan that needs repaying and without other funds the simplest way to afford it was to reduce cap spend acccordingky. There’s no risk if relegation and therefore an opportunity to blood 4-5 youngsters over the season to give them first team experience.

I think it’s perfectly logical to do this in our circumstances. I just wish this had been communicated then the fans would be more understanding. I think that the lack of an interview hasn’t helped Adam on this occasion. I think he’s always come across as a decent, honest owner and think he’s missed a trick this time.

Overall, I think this is now beginning to mask the main issue which is the total lack of a simple coaching game-plan, fitness, effort by the players, discipline, bans and injuries that have now completely affected our ability to compete in matches.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:13 pm  

I still think we’re 2 seasons away from been able to say we should be achieving a top 6 spot but if we ace our recruitment we might be able to start competing around there. Think most are right in that we need to focus on attributes, for me:

1. An on field leader (preferably a back row/13 for me)

2. Controlling half back with a good long kicking game.

3. A hooker with some zip.

That’s how I’d use my quota spots. Then we’ve got to find domestically:

1. A centre that can manage more than 3 games injury free. (Broadbent only off-contract?)

2. No nonsense front rower, bullock for me

3. Depending on if club thinks there’s better out there than McIntosh a winger.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:17 pm  

Hullrealist wrote:

I still think we’re 2 seasons away from been able to say we should be achieving a top 6 spot but if we ace our recruitment we might be able to start competing around there. Think most are right in that we need to focus on attributes, for me:

1. An on field leader (preferably a back row/13 for me)

2. Controlling half back with a good long kicking game.

3. A hooker with some zip.

That’s how I’d use my quota spots. Then we’ve got to find domestically:

1. A centre that can manage more than 3 games injury free. (Broadbent only off-contract?)

2. No nonsense front rower, bullock for me

3. Depending on if club thinks there’s better out there than McIntosh a winger.

Backrow too, unless Ockunbor comes good, very weak still and ended up playing props in that position.

Ideally we release Sao and Okunbor to sign better.