Our front row problems : Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:52 pm
Amidst all the sad news that we've had to endure over the last week there were a couple of good news stories that have almost sneaked under the radar.
Richard Moore is reported to be ready for full training after having gained almost a stone in weight. Richard seems to be winning his battle with Crohn's disease which at one time threatened his career. I'm not sure how far off Richard is from being in contention for the first team but if he can regain his form he will offer a much needed remedy to our front row woe's.
Secondly the much anticipated arrival of Frank Winterstein last Wednesday will offer John Kear some options to reshuffle his pack. If big Frank, who has been training with the Bulldogs, can hit the ground running he may find himself thrust into the big time sooner rather than later.
However if we were looking to bolster our front row whilst Rickie Bibey, Richard Moore and James Stosic are out injured, then there are a couple of established front rowers kicking their heels in the reserves at other clubs.
It was interesting to see that the one-time reported target of ours, Jamie Thackery, was playing reserve football against harlequins last week. His front row partner Dominic Maloney might also be an option. Across the city at Hull Kingston Rovers David Mills was playing against Salford City Reds reserves.
Perhaps a little more ambitious might be a bid for Wigan Warriors highly rated prospect Lee Mossop. He's been gaining rave reviews all season for his commanding performances and is expected to blossom into one of the best front row or second row forwards we have produced in this country for a long time. I don't think for a minute that Wigan would allow us to take Mossop on anything more than a short-term loan but once with the club who knows, look what happened when Ryan Atkins joined us on loan from Bradford.
Not really front rowers but interesting all the same are the appearances of Richard Whiting, Danny Walshbrook in reserve team football. Also the seemingly non-progression of Mark Flanigan from reserve team football at Wigan. Flanagan is a very talented loose forward who has had a few injuries but now seems to be back to full fitness. He's another young English forward who would benefit from either a loan or a permanent transfer to another club who might offer him first team football.
