vastman wrote:
Although I totally agree that the 2004 team was the best SL team (imo the best I've seen in 30 years of supporting) I don't however agree about Domic and Solomona who show more than any other signings we've ever made what a gamble it can be. I have no reason to not believe that for example Fifita wont find his inner Andrew or that Johnstone won't move on to being the most lethal winger in the game which IMHO would make them just as special as Domic and even Solomona all be it in different ways.
Solomona was a rising star 18 month previous to joining us then his form dipped dramatically and he was playing reserve grade by late 2003. The main reason we got him was because everyone else had forgotten about him. Though it raised eyebrows most considered him a maverick and a big risk.
Domic was considered a bit of a sick note when he left Warrington and was considered an OK signing at best.
Along with a virtualy unknown JD these signings tranformed what was mainly the 2003 team who were basically a poor (2nd from bottom) outfit into a machine. Added to this we had a one season wonder coach as opposed to a one season wonder team which IMO is why we never kicked on.
The 2004 team wasn't just great to watch it gives you hope as to just how quickly things can change for the better and the worse which isn't so good. Wakefield are like a number of SL teams, it wouldn't take much to turn it around. Despite Belly's Cas obsession they are exactly the same only difference is that they risk going the other way now. Good teams at clubs like ours are very short lived and soon get picked over if the momentumn starts to fade even momentarily.
Sam Williams, Catton-Brown, Hirst, Woods etc may all turn out to be inspired but they may not and the 2004 team proves that. Anyone who was around in 2004 and states that they knew that would be a great team is a liar, we all expected another relegation battle. So now we do the only thing as fans we can do, support and encourage the lads and cross our fingers.
I generally know better than to pick you up on stuff, but you're wrong here. There was some genuine excitement about the 2004 side and I, for one, was over the moon at signing Domic (ask Eric Timmons), whilst I knew little of Solomona other than getting wrapped up in the soundings of people like yourself who had seen him play.
I would also agree that 2010 beckoned to be a great year and it was so frustrating the way it dwindled.
2017 looks well, but it won't be all that if we can't sort the remaining issues in the squad, including the Hooking role. The halves, three quarters and generally the back row are sorted and there is much to look forward to, but we are short of numbers in the front row in this modern era where 20 games is a good return. Just a couple more players could really get us something to rave about though!
