[Jemmo]

Re: Dons pre-season matches : Mon Feb 02, 2015 9:36 am  

I was planning on doing a post-preseason report on all of the new signings before the season started, but to be honest I still don't know who most of them are. They do all seem a bit "samey".

As previously mentioned, there's a couple I don't think will feature much at all this season unless a lot changes. Particularly in the halves where we need Wilkinson back, Cookie firing on all cylinders or a rejuvenated Danny Nicklas.

From the ones I have noticed, Jack Walton and Mitch Vincent have stood out. In the case of Vincent I would prefer someone to decide what his position in and work endlessly towards that. Mitch Clarke looked a lot better against Leeds than he did against Hull.

Of the old guard, Lee Waterman has been far and away the best player of the preseason (IMO) edging Wilkinson who hasn't had enough game time to compare.

Re: Dons pre-season matches : Mon Feb 02, 2015 10:40 am  

The problem you have now is that most young players at SL Clubs aren't really pushed towards one position in particular, and are used as 'jack of all trades', so can play in the centres, back row and the like without really knowing the ins and outs of them all.
Walton and Kittrick have impressed me, as has Mitch Clark in yesterdays game.

Its disappointing that Wilkinson has picked an injury up already, but I'd rather that happen now that in the middle/end of the season.

Re: Dons pre-season matches : Mon Feb 02, 2015 11:11 am  

Agree the ant needs to cut out the needless penalties he gives away but he seems to be one of the fittest players we have and he has a tremendous work rate in defence and attack. If he could master the offload when taking on the defence it would be a bonus. Lee still has the massive enthusiasm that seems to lift the team when he takes the field. Think he shows up well at fullback and can stop the biggest in their tracks.

[Jemmo]

Re: Dons pre-season matches : Mon Feb 02, 2015 11:38 am  

We do all know Emmett is not a swear word right?

Re: Dons pre-season matches : Mon Feb 02, 2015 11:53 am  

Jemmo wrote:

We do all know Emmett is not a swear word right?

Yes.

Re: Dons pre-season matches : Mon Feb 02, 2015 12:17 pm  

Jack Walton and Sam Doherty are the two youngsters who have impressed me most.

As Jemmo said, it's been hard to notice many of the others with all the interchanges that have been going on.

The pre-season games probably haven't done much to raise our enthusiasm for the new season with the Hunslet defeat being the most disappointing.

I think we do need to keep things in some sort of perspective. These games were always going to be learning experiences for all concerned. Sometimes, you can learn more in defeat than victory. The downside to losing is that it knocks both the confidence of players and supporters alike.

We knew it was going to be a tough season with other clubs signing some good quality players with experience, whilst we opted to not go down that road. Whether that was the right thing to do will only be proven in the fullness of time.

When we get our best 13 out on the pitch in a competitive game, I'm reasonably happy that we'll be competitive although I am concerned about our lack of creativity going forwards. We seem predictable in most of the things we do.

I agree with other posters that Lee Waterman's enthusiasm has been outstanding and that he certainly doesn't know the meaning of the word, "friendly". It's been good to see Brett Waller back in action after his layoff. Steve Snitch has probably been one of the best signings we have made in recent years.

London were beaten 34-6 by Dewsbury this weekend in a friendly, by the way.

Re: Dons pre-season matches : Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:04 pm  

Waterman at Full back Scott on Wing for London?

Re: Dons pre-season matches : Wed Feb 04, 2015 5:44 pm  

Margravy the Don wrote:

Waterman at Full back Scott on Wing for London?

More likely young Curtis Naughton from Hull FC at Full back with Steve Michaels At Centre,Bobby Tyson Wilson at Front Row and Rich Whiting in the second row

Re: Dons pre-season matches : Wed Feb 04, 2015 7:06 pm  

Hmm...

Still, it could be worse. I see Whitehaven have only 15 registered players at the moment (assuming the squad list I've seen is up to date...)

Re: Dons pre-season matches : Thu Feb 05, 2015 8:11 am  

Donny wrote: Hmm... Still, it could be worse. I see Whitehaven have only 15 registered players at the moment (assuming the squad list I've seen is up to date...) Here's the latest news from Whitehaven: http://www.whitehavenrl.co.uk/news/article/41816/its-a-tough-gig-says Looks like survival is the name of the game for them. The coach, Steve Deakin, makes some interesting points about funding in our league.

Donny wrote: Hmm... Still, it could be worse. I see Whitehaven have only 15 registered players at the moment (assuming the squad list I've seen is up to date...) Here's the latest news from Whitehaven: http://www.whitehavenrl.co.uk/news/article/41816/its-a-tough-gig-says Looks like survival is the name of the game for them. The coach, Steve Deakin, makes some interesting points about funding in our league.