Re: 2014 Squad : Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:01 pm  

SombreroBu11 wrote:

A good tactic I thought, considering the weather. It was never gonna be a flashy game in those conditions, so having more power and fresh props up the middle was gonna be key. My money's on them for the trophy.

My point is we only have 4 in the squad, Wigan can put 6 on the park. I agree they look a good thing.

[Bullseye]

Re: 2014 Squad : Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:34 pm  

We’ve got 4 bona fide props plus Evans for next year by the sound of it. If we’d landed Kaufusi I’d have been happier. When we last got into the 8 in 2012 (before points deduction) we had 5 bona fide props and back up from Joseph plus Elima and Langley could play there too (8 in all).

I still think we’re a bit short of depth in the pack. Hopefully the talk from Whitcut about 30 players in the squad won’t mean 30 players with 10 being under 19s. We need some experienced power up front and some pace in the centres. Injuries can break a season as we’ve seen this year.

I expect our lack of cash to have an influence on the size of the squad

Re: 2014 Squad : Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:48 pm  

Recruitment still ongoing afaik. Expecting a few additions yet.

Re: 2014 Squad : Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:51 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

We’ve got 4 bona fide props plus Evans for next year by the sound of it. If we’d landed Kaufusi I’d have been happier. When we last got into the 8 in 2012 (before points deduction) we had 5 bona fide props and back up from Joseph plus Elima and Langley could play there too (8 in all).

I still think we’re a bit short of depth in the pack. Hopefully the talk from Whitcut about 30 players in the squad won’t mean 30 players with 10 being under 19s. We need some experienced power up front and some pace in the centres. Injuries can break a season as we’ve seen this year.

I expect our lack of cash to have an influence on the size of the squad

Correct. FC has tried Chev at prop to precious little effect in my view but apart from him I can't think of another back rower you could even spell at prop. If we're going to skimp I'd always skimp in the backs. Purtell, Blythe, Wood, Foster (?) can play centre. Skimping in the front row is a recipe for winning 2 games from your last dozen.

A few additions Mat? That's encouraging.

Re: 2014 Squad : Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:02 pm  

Don't think there needs to be any nastiness in the game. Just play hard and be tough and uncompromising. Look at Peacock for example, he isn't nasty or dirty and he is amongst the best forwards of his generation.

Re: 2014 Squad : Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:23 pm  

Few more additions are imminent according to a good source! Rumours surrounding Jerome Ropati are also true, and apparently only thing holding up the move are visa issues

[Bullseye]

Re: 2014 Squad : Fri Sep 13, 2013 3:09 pm  

Bulls4Champs wrote:

Don't think there needs to be any nastiness in the game. Just play hard and be tough and uncompromising. Look at Peacock for example, he isn't nasty or dirty and he is amongst the best forwards of his generation.

I know what you mean and I agree to an extent but I think forwards that are prepared to indulge in the rough stuff generally are better players for it. So long as they don't become penalty machines.

I like players to be aggressive and really impose themselves, all good players have that "edge". The guys that are more mild mannered tend not to hit great heights and when they do they stand out a lot more e.g. Trevor Foster, Steve Menzies, Roy Powell.

[Bullseye]

Re: 2014 Squad : Fri Sep 13, 2013 3:12 pm  

NorthumbriaBull wrote: Few more additions are imminent according to a good source! Rumours surrounding Jerome Ropati are also true, and apparently only thing holding up the move are visa issues If it is him I hope we do a thorough medical! http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/911 ... ome-Ropati

NorthumbriaBull wrote: Few more additions are imminent according to a good source! Rumours surrounding Jerome Ropati are also true, and apparently only thing holding up the move are visa issues If it is him I hope we do a thorough medical! http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/911 ... ome-Ropati

[Bulliac]

Re: 2014 Squad : Fri Sep 13, 2013 3:19 pm  

JP is as aggressive as they come though. At the end of the day it doesn't matter about being 'nasty', a big aggressive bloke who puts himself about, a bloke who is determined to win, is essential in any pack.

Re: 2014 Squad : Fri Sep 13, 2013 4:57 pm  

I'd say Bateman has shown signs of being a player who's not afraid to put himself into the opposition faces, but in recent history Elima was exactly the sort of player you'd want on your side.