: Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:13 pm  

gateaux wrote:

No I think we work on a salary cap and to pay the wages he would probably want would take up a lot of money that could be used elsewhere for players who would hopefully perform as well - or better - and would probably benefit the club a lot more in the future.

However the money involved is just part of the reason I wouldn't want him, I am not convinced he is good enough at all regardless of cost.

Personally, I think we have already gone past the point where we have let too much experience go, not brought much in and over-promoted from the youth set up. People have to remember although bringing youngsters through is good they still have to be good enough. Our squad is threadbare IMO.

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:04 am  

saintc wrote:

Personally, I think we have already gone past the point where we have let too much experience go, not brought much in and over-promoted from the youth set up. People have to remember although bringing youngsters through is good they still have to be good enough. Our squad is threadbare IMO.

There are 4 options in this respect:

a) Recruit from the NRL and choke up the youth system - I dont really want to continue seeing our ass handed to us on a plate by the Ockers and in such a comprehensive manner as the WC.
b) Recruit talent from SL – no one was out of contract who we could be confident would add real quality to the side.
c) Recruit from the lower divisions like Wakefield - Always a gamble for a top team
d) Bring through the youngsters which have impressed in the reserves/academy

I really think only option d is of any sense, and in any case should benefit from the experienced heads such as Long, Cunningham, Wellens and Gidley.

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:40 am  

eddiewaringsflatcap wrote:

There are 4 options in this respect:

a) Recruit from the NRL and choke up the youth system - I dont really want to continue seeing our ass handed to us on a plate by the Ockers and in such a comprehensive manner as the WC.
b) Recruit talent from SL – no one was out of contract who we could be confident would add real quality to the side.
c) Recruit from the lower divisions like Wakefield - Always a gamble for a top team
d) Bring through the youngsters which have impressed in the reserves/academy

I really think only option d is of any sense, and in any case should benefit from the experienced heads such as Long, Cunningham, Wellens and Gidley.

I pretty much agree with that, although I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of option c. We've had some good service from young players poached from the National Leagues (Higham, Wilkin, Gardner), but it's an option that we don't seem to have considered much since DA took the hot seat. Still, I would generally consider that to be a long term investment, so it wouldn't have done us any good for this year anyway.

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:27 am  

eddiewaringsflatcap wrote:

There are 4 options in this respect:

a) Recruit from the NRL and choke up the youth system - I dont really want to continue seeing our ass handed to us on a plate by the Ockers and in such a comprehensive manner as the WC.
b) Recruit talent from SL – no one was out of contract who we could be confident would add real quality to the side.
c) Recruit from the lower divisions like Wakefield - Always a gamble for a top team
d) Bring through the youngsters which have impressed in the reserves/academy

I really think only option d is of any sense, and in any case should benefit from the experienced heads such as Long, Cunningham, Wellens and Gidley.

A Combination of all of these has and will be the way forward. Noone would be complaining about imports if we brought Lyon back. Gilly and Pryce have been great for us from other SL clubs. You can also get the odd gem fom lower divisions, Sean Long anyone? Finally the academy system is most peoples (and mine) favoured way to rebuild the team, if the new crop of yougsters can be the next Graham, Roby etc. we will do well.

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:35 am  

eddiewaringsflatcap wrote:

There are 4 options in this respect:

a) Recruit from the NRL and choke up the youth system - I dont really want to continue seeing our ass handed to us on a plate by the Ockers and in such a comprehensive manner as the WC.
b) Recruit talent from SL – no one was out of contract who we could be confident would add real quality to the side.
c) Recruit from the lower divisions like Wakefield - Always a gamble for a top team
d) Bring through the youngsters which have impressed in the reserves/academy

I really think only option d is of any sense, and in any case should benefit from the experienced heads such as Long, Cunningham, Wellens and Gidley.

Mix n Match I say. Over-emphasis on one of the four options is not good/risky.

a) Lyon, Gidley, Fairleigh
b) Gilmour, Anderson, Pryce, Fozzard
c) Higham, Gardner, Wilkin
d) Graham, Roby, Clough

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:43 am  

eddiewaringsflatcap wrote:

There are 4 options in this respect:

a) Recruit from the NRL and choke up the youth system - I dont really want to continue seeing our ass handed to us on a plate by the Ockers and in such a comprehensive manner as the WC.
b) Recruit talent from SL – no one was out of contract who we could be confident would add real quality to the side.
c) Recruit from the lower divisions like Wakefield - Always a gamble for a top team
d) Bring through the youngsters which have impressed in the reserves/academy

I really think only option d is of any sense, and in any case should benefit from the experienced heads such as Long, Cunningham, Wellens and Gidley.

Option D is good but to work well probably needs a balance of the right players from the other groups.

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:50 am  

gateaux wrote:

Option D is good but to work well probably needs a balance of the right players from the other groups.

Option C is a possibility as well. Its easier to integrate a player to a side with a definate winning mentality than them goin to a side like Salford. Probably why some of your youngsters have made the step up quicker than others