Lprhino wrote:
Agree the young lads need some game time but from a developmental POV not sure how much they gain from playing in that kind of game. We were well beaten by a side who have a coach in place big players all over the pitch and have been building even before that coach arrived.
I think as the season goes in the young lads will get some games and be phased in, I just worry we don’t pin all the hopes ok them as it isn’t fair to expect an 18/19/20 year old or group of them to step into a beaten pack and suddenly turn it around.
This has always been a rebuild and it will take 2-4 years. Everybody talks about getting two big meter making props and a wrecking ball back rower. I agree we need those but where or who do people think we should have signed who we didn’t? Those players were not available this off season, if they were I think we would have signed them.
Next year we have the following players off contract (I think):
Walters
Parcell
Ormondroyd
Mullally
JJB
Ferres
Donaldson
Dwyer
Out of those I would only retain Dwyer.
We should also shed the following:
Ablett
Cuthbertson
Lilley
Peteru
Sutcliffe
That gives you cap to get 2 big props and a gain line breaking back rower, probably a decent winger as well.
some real knee jerk overreactions on here, anyone would think we lost by 50 not 26-6, they won the game with a 20 minute hot spell, we were not far off in the other 50-60 mins. I was disappointed was expecting it to be closer.
But we need to get out of the mentality that we can just offload 5-10 players, firstly its not the 1980s you cannot just say in the offs season sorry your not wanted next year clear your locker, and secondly you have to replace the players you get rid off, yes some will come through academy but only 2-3 a year at best not 5-6. then you have to either pay transfer fees or get out off contact players, and if the quality we want is not available were a bit stuck. recruitment and retention policy has bee poor for last 2-3 years and it will take 2-3 years to put right. we have essentially brought in 6 players since bask end of last season/offs season and 5-6 have gone, i would expect 4-5 more to come and go for next season then maybe 2-3 for 2021 season.
But everyone calm down its one moderate loss against the favorites in the first game of the season, see where we are after 10-12 games and i bet we are on an upward trajectory.