Re: Breaking News... : Wed Oct 26, 2016 2:12 pm  

Marcus's Bicycle wrote:

Back on topic, it's been over 3 weeks since AP said we are looking to sign an Outside Back and a Off Half (he said 2/3 weeks) and as far as I know Michaels has yet to sign a new contract. I wonder if we are sticking with what we've got.

Its more likely the club will announce who is leaving first before they inform us of the new arrivals.
probably some of the departure deals have not been finalised yet.
I think there may be one of two surprises in who leaves.
A quality 6 is the priority and in my opinion the club will deliver.They know whats missing at 6.If the fans can see it then the coaches will also, irrespective of what is said to the media.
The Michaels situation seems strange especially as the players were told he was staying.Someone has to go if the outside back or halfback is from overseas.

Re: Breaking News... : Wed Oct 26, 2016 2:29 pm  

They're waiting until after the 4 nations to announce a couple of players who are involved.

Re: Breaking News... : Wed Oct 26, 2016 3:10 pm  

DGM wrote:

If Pritchard leaves (which is what you're suggesting you want), where do we get the go forward from that he provides us (as you can see from the stats)? Does that come from a ball handling lose forward? From Tommo? We have cover, yes, but it's not cover of adequate standard. Do we run mini & Manu into the ground even more?

I agree that we need a stand off, but not by losing Frank we don't.

The bit in bold is what I was eluding to in my previous post.

You're underwhelmed because you're expecting Frank to do one thing, which I imagine is play out wide, make 20m carries, scatter defenders left right and centre etc, but the reality is, Radford has him doing a different role.

You should be judging him alone on that role, not the role you want him to do, but the role the coach wants him to do. Some things go unnoticed by a lot of fans, they tend to remember the spectacular and above the hard graft, which is why I've pointed to certain stats of his eclipsing the other back rowers we have at the club.

Of course it's your opinion, you're entitled to it, but it's not really credible if your only argument is "from what I saw I was vastly underwhelmed". Well, why? Why are you?

Im in agreement. I think too many have watched the you tube highlights and been brain washed when in reality we've got a player who stats wise is our most effective and 1 of the leagues most effective. Can ignore stats but in a lot of forward play stats arent open to personal interpretation. Metres n metres per carry tell no lies. And as a go forward pack that the foundation of our success last year is built on I don't get why we'd want to take a massive part of that away. Not to mention the effect he's had about the place off field among players especially as the player bond and closeness has been commented on all yr and hes nearly always dead centre of it it seems
Also why are people banging on about a ball playing 13. We had 1. Was rubbish as a team. Put ellis there. We play better and he nearly wins M O S. Don't get that thinking

Re: Breaking News... : Wed Oct 26, 2016 3:19 pm  

Jake the Peg wrote:

They're waiting until after the 4 nations to announce a couple of players who are involved.

I hope your right I think Logan and Abdul may go on loan there a logical choice they need development and game time but are in our plans for the future I think we may ship Tommo out I heard he wasn't happy missing out at Wembley maybe he wants more game time I wouldn't blame him Ross Osborne is another who a loan spell would do no harm, I still think Danny Brough is on our radar he is not overseas quota and if we off load a few we could probably afford him, I think he is quality he has his moments but he is a top halfback and there's not many around, Carlos and Griffin will be our centres and fona will go to wing with Talonoa

Re: Breaking News... : Wed Oct 26, 2016 3:24 pm  

airliebird,runninglate! wrote:

Im in agreement. I think too many have watched the you tube highlights and been brain washed when in reality we've got a player who stats wise is our most effective and 1 of the leagues most effective. Can ignore stats but in a lot of forward play stats arent open to personal interpretation. Metres n metres per carry tell no lies. And as a go forward pack that the foundation of our success last year is built on I don't get why we'd want to take a massive part of that away. Not to mention the effect he's had about the place off field among players especially as the player bond and closeness has been commented on all yr and hes nearly always dead centre of it it seems
Also why are people banging on about a ball playing 13. We had 1. Was rubbish as a team. Put ellis there. We play better and he nearly wins M O S. Don't get that thinking

Fully agree. The ball playing 13 thing brings back fond memories for Hull fans. The last two generations watched Knocker and later Jason Smith. I think some fans remember this and crave that again, which isn't a bad thing, however for every Knocker/Smith there's a Westy c0cking up the attack rather than adding to it. Short memories.

I understand that people want to see Frank running out wide, rampaging down the channels, I do too. But that's not what's been asked of him, and it's unfair to judge him for it or call him a 'plodder' like Bumpy did. If anyone has an issue, they should put it at Radford's door, as Frank is more than pulling his weight and adding much value to the side.

Re: Breaking News... : Wed Oct 26, 2016 3:29 pm  

The 13 shirt is used as an extra prop nowadays, as the interchanges become less & less it makes sense, hence the FB position evolving into an extra pivot.

Re: Breaking News... : Wed Oct 26, 2016 3:59 pm  

I've said it before but in ellis, manu, frank and mini we have a ridiculous amount of talent (and money) tied up in the back row which leaves us a bit short in other areas IMO, one of which is half back. Swap any of those 4 for a top half and the team would be better for it.

Having said that, next season might be the last for ellis, mini and frank which would leave us having to find a huge amount of quality to replace them

Re: Breaking News... : Wed Oct 26, 2016 4:09 pm  

Has Abdull got a contract with us for next year? Just with all this talk of a loan, surely the club he's loaned to could just sign him up?

Re: Breaking News... : Wed Oct 26, 2016 4:55 pm  

fc-eaststander wrote:

I hope your right I think Logan and Abdul may go on loan there a logical choice they need development and game time but are in our plans for the future I think we may ship Tommo out I heard he wasn't happy missing out at Wembley maybe he wants more game time I wouldn't blame him Ross Osborne is another who a loan spell would do no harm, I still think Danny Brough is on our radar he is not overseas quota and if we off load a few we could probably afford him, I think he is quality he has his moments but he is a top halfback and there's not many around, Carlos and Griffin will be our centres and fona will go to wing with Talonoa

Would be great to see Danny Brough signing after the game on Friday.
I like Tuimavave as a centre.He works well with Pritchard but cant see Fonua been moved out to the wing.He sees a lot more ball and action as a centre and thats what we want to see.

Re: Breaking News... : Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:19 pm  

Jake the Peg wrote:

I've said it before but in ellis, manu, frank and mini we have a ridiculous amount of talent (and money) tied up in the back row which leaves us a bit short in other areas IMO, one of which is half back. Swap any of those 4 for a top half and the team would be better for it.

Having said that, next season might be the last for ellis, mini and frank which would leave us having to find a huge amount of quality to replace them

No way do we have too much. We have the right amount for a squad for a season to maintain the levels throughout the game and season
Wigan are loaded up with back rows -champs
Leeds -previous champs were too
A good 4/5 with youngstern outside of that seeMs the norm to me

We faff ed up the last month. But prior to that we were the best team and cup winners with our back row as it is combined with injury fortunes
Every1 of the back row if you look at them has played a major part. I certainly wouldn't be messing with that area