Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 8:37 am  

No need to really keep Houghton or shaul or we are going down the sentimental route again. Lovaduo and balmforth to replace Houghton and we have barren wynne Mitch Scott litten to cover what shaul plays

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 10:40 am  

HU8HFC wrote:

A lot of our recruitment and retention is currently based around the potential new deal with SMC, I have heard that a decision could be made in the next few weeks. If we struggle to get a better deal with them then I wouldn't be shocked if we did leave a couple quota spots free for a couple years and go down the younger British route.

I would imagine talks are ongoing but it has been fairly quiet now for a few weeks and we can’t afford to wait around at this time of year.

Be interesting to know if any progress is being made and also how the talks with the council, that Adam hinted at, are going.

About time the council started playing ball with us?

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 10:55 am  

Woods1969 wrote:

No need to really keep Houghton or shaul or we are going down the sentimental route again. Lovaduo and balmforth to replace Houghton and we have barren wynne Mitch Scott litten to cover what shaul plays

I think unless we recruit a hooker we have to keep Houghton for one more year, give Balmforth time to develop.

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 11:25 am  

Dave K. wrote:

I think unless we recruit a hooker we have to keep Houghton for one more year, give Balmforth time to develop.

I understand that side of the argument too just feel if that was the case Houghton would probably still be first choice and with lovaduo would balmforth get any actual game time to develop. I must admit he looked very assured for his first game I think he could easily be in the 17 now

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 12:47 pm  

The priority should be renewing contracts for players for the future - not the past...

For mine, I'd release Reynolds,Shaul, Houghton, Johnstone, Bowden , & Mau - if finances are tight...

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 1:25 pm  

weaver93 wrote:

The priority should be renewing contracts for players for the future - not the past...

For mine, I'd release Reynolds,Shaul, Houghton, Johnstone, Bowden , & Mau - if finances are tight...

Agree with all but Ma'u (correct spelling) he's having a great season so far.

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 1:33 pm  

mwindass wrote:

I'd look to replace both if we can, but don't see it. Gale was brought in to add leadership and accountability. I just don't see us shipping him out after 1 season.

I’ve seen no leadership from Gale in the 5 1/2 games he’s played for us so far. The 7 games he’s been suspended add no value to the club.

When he returns he needs to significantly improve his kicking game too. A big couple of months for Gale. Owes the club and fans some big performances. Otherwise, he can move on for me at the end of the season.

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 2:20 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Some tough decisions coming up, I'm sure last season, we were in a similar league position and in the semi of the cup, we signed up alot of players and our season went slowly down hill. Despite a fee players playing better we need to be ruthless and only keep the players that can help us progress, look at Saints last year, could have kept Coote and Fages, but wanted to put faith in young players and freshen up other areas of the squad.

No they went for better money

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 2:22 pm  

Yippee try yay wrote:

I'd only look to make minimal changes to the squad, if possible sign Trueman to replace Reynolds, I'm a big fan of Batchelor at Wakefield he'd bring some depth to the back row and we'd have a quota spot to maybe look at bringing a 7 over from overseas.

yes Batchelor would be a much better option than Mellor.
I expect several clubs will be looking to sign Batchelor

Re: OOC 2022 : Mon May 02, 2022 2:34 pm  

Bombed Out wrote:

Agree with all but Ma'u (correct spelling) he's having a great season so far.

Mau is super fit so not an age problem for me.There is no better second row in S/L at the moment.
The problem is does he want to stay another year and do the club have the money to keep him as i dont see the huge cull in players we expect.
You could say we dont need Johnstone,Bowden,Houghton Shaul,Gale or Reynolds but apart from Bowden and Reynolds i expect to see the others at the club next season unless Shaul or Johnstone get better long term deals and decide to leave