: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:27 pm  

He would be a good signing and could fill in as a back rower if needs be. Assuming he will play centre.

: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:39 pm  

What's the difference between Mannering and Flannery? I don't see why we would need Mannering, particularly if quota levels are dropping. We need to keep quota spots available for players that are worth giving a quota spot to and that would mean players that we can't produce ourselves. One thing the UK has never had difficulty in producing is good back row forwards, hence my lukewarm attitude to Mannering.

: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:31 pm  

McClennan wrote:

What's the difference between Mannering and Flannery? .

The latter is unbelievably ordinary

: Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:43 pm  

McClennan wrote:

What's the difference between Mannering and Flannery? I don't see why we would need Mannering

Size, skill and youth. I would imagine that if we signed him Flannery would not stay long. Not that Flannery is a bad player, just Mannering is a great player.

It won't come off Mannering is too good for Super League.

: Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:45 pm  

[quote="Noel Cleal"]Size, skill and youth. I would imagine that if we signed him Flannery would not stay long. Not that Flannery is a bad player, just Mannering is a great player.

It won't come off Mannering is too good for Super League.[/quote]

Ridiculous.

: Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:52 pm  

getdownmonkeyman wrote:

Ridiculous.

Nope Correct. Give him 8 years and he will be just right for Super League.

McClennan wrote:

By 2010 I expect Clough to be as good, if not better, so there's no need for Mannering.

Gilmour will be very long in the tooth at that point and Flannery will be near the end of his contract.

11. Clough
12. Mannering
13. Wilkin

Now that is a good back 3. A long with Dixon/Ashurst on the bench.

I agree with Gaz that he is probably a better second row than a Centre. But would do nicely in either position for us.

: Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:32 pm  

Noel Cleal wrote:

Nope Correct. Give him 8 years and he will be just right for Super League.



Gilmour will be very long in the tooth at that point and Flannery will be near the end of his contract.

11. Clough
12. Mannering
13. Wilkin

Now that is a good back 3. A long with Dixon/Ashurst on the bench.

I agree with Gaz that he is probably a better second row than a Centre. But would do nicely in either position for us.

Far, far better players than Mannering have joined a SL club in their prime.

: Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:56 pm  

McClennan wrote:

What's the difference between Mannering and Flannery? I don't see why we would need Mannering, particularly if quota levels are dropping. We need to keep quota spots available for players that are worth giving a quota spot to and that would mean players that we can't produce ourselves. One thing the UK has never had difficulty in producing is good back row forwards, hence my lukewarm attitude to Mannering.

I agree entirely that we don't necessarily need to be bringing in imports of this nature, but I think it's fair to say Mannering, whilst a similar sort of player, is in a different class to Flannery.

: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:54 pm  

Dux wrote:

I agree entirely that we don't necessarily need to be bringing in imports of this nature, but I think it's fair to say Mannering, whilst a similar sort of player, is in a different class to Flannery.

I have to agree I watched Mannering and was very impressed. He's one of those player that just pops up at the right time and his balance and speed make it look effortless.

I would be happy to play him at centre this season and move Flannery on after that with him as a Gilmour type mobile second row.

: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:12 pm  

Shouldn't we be developing our own players so that we are no longer a laughing stock - Internationally speaking that is