Re: Squad Numbers 2016 : Sat Feb 06, 2016 8:05 pm  

Cheers Hamster - thanks for valiantly trying to keep us interested

Interesting that last year we had 31 players at the start of the season I think. Well, Lauaki got 31 at the shirt presentation and he was the last signing before the season started.

This season we start with 32 players, which makes Steve Ferres' comments about how we would have a smaller squad look a bit daft right now (especially as we obviously intend / hope to add to the squad)

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 : Sat Feb 06, 2016 9:49 pm  

Northus, HC... Hate to say I told you so!

Right decision not giving Richie the no.7 shirt.

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 : Sun Feb 07, 2016 10:17 am  

I would have liked us to try for Declan Patton at Wire. He was pushing very close for a regular starting spot last year and from what I saw looked very impressive for a young kid. This year seems way down the pecking order with Sandow, Gidley and possibly Wheeler in front of him. He probably would want a SL club if he moved but would love to get him on a year long loan. It would possibly benefit all parties, getting him some first team rugby and solving our No. 7 problem. Maybe Wires owe us one after the O'Brien situation last year.

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 : Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:19 am  

paulwalker71 wrote:

..
This season we start with 32 players, which makes Steve Ferres' comments about how we would have a smaller squad look a bit daft right now

You misunderstood.

Average height last year: 6' 0"
Average height this year: 5' 11 1/2"

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 : Sun Feb 07, 2016 12:00 pm  

True FA. Also the average weight is 'smaller' though that is mainly credit to lauaki alone.

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 : Wed Feb 10, 2016 8:16 am  

Stockwell & Smales wrote:

I would have liked us to try for Declan Patton at Wire. He was pushing very close for a regular starting spot last year and from what I saw looked very impressive for a young kid. This year seems way down the pecking order with Sandow, Gidley and possibly Wheeler in front of him. He probably would want a SL club if he moved but would love to get him on a year long loan. It would possibly benefit all parties, getting him some first team rugby and solving our No. 7 problem. Maybe Wires owe us one after the O'Brien situation last year.

Good shout. I saw Patton last year both live and on TV and rated him. He would be coming from a very good academy structure . Even if the O'Brien episode doesn't give the Bulls an edge, Jimmy Lowes and John Bastian both have good relationships with Tony Smith and the Wire hierarchy.

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 : Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:49 am  

I also thought of Patton, but considering Wakefield are wanting another halfback and have a good familial relationship with Wire, I would expect to see Patton end up there on loan this year. Maybe it could be a thank you for taking a clearly injured player on loan to free up some cap space last year.