Re: More rumours... : Fri Jun 17, 2011 12:57 pm  

downtheante wrote:

so, that Richard Horne, what a guy eh?

solid, reliable and honest as the day is long, but not good enough for a team wanting to challenge for silverware, I'm getting dejavu now!

recent signings do seem to, worryingly, suggest that we're keeping Dowes as well, and that Fitz isn't going to "go round again".

I imagine we've agreed a deal with O'Meley and Moa, but these are being kept back for the "season pass boost" announcements when we fail miserably to getto the playoffs?

[Kosh]

Re: More rumours... : Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:17 pm  

Standee wrote:

Kosh, SL dream team in 2004, pretty much makes my point for me.

I don't think that anyone would argue that 2004 to 2006 were his finest years, although in his defence he's had a fair bit to cope with since then. And no settled, decent halfback partner for most of that period. You may recall that I was among the group who had pretty much written him off last season and suggest that he might look at retirement. However, he seems to have turned the clock back at least partly and is looking much more like his old self again. If that form (and fitness) continues or even improves then he's good enough for another (short) contract IMO.

Re: More rumours... : Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:22 pm  

Kosh wrote:

I don't think that anyone would argue that 2004 to 2006 were his finest years, although in his defence he's had a fair bit to cope with since then. And no settled, decent halfback partner for most of that period. You may recall that I was among the group who had pretty much written him off last season and suggest that he might look at retirement. However, he seems to have turned the clock back at least partly and is looking much more like his old self again. If that form (and fitness) continues or even improves then he's good enough for another (short) contract IMO.

My only concern with Horne,Long,Dowes,Radford,Fitzgibbon etc is that we're not building for the future, even if these players manage another season or twowe still don't seem prepared to promote from within, I want to see the youngsters getting a chance, if they're good enough why aren't they, and if they aren't good enough, why not?

I am aware this all could come across as somrhing against Rich, it really isn't, I've sat in Napoleons enough times playing cards and talking about the game to know Rich is 100% professional and a real hard worker.

Re: More rumours... : Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:33 pm  

Standee wrote:

solid, reliable and honest as the day is long, but not good enough for a team wanting to challenge for silverware, I'm getting dejavu now!

recent signings do seem to, worryingly, suggest that we're keeping Dowes as well, and that Fitz isn't going to "go round again".

I imagine we've agreed a deal with O'Meley and Moa, but these are being kept back for the "season pass boost" announcements when we fail miserably to getto the playoffs?

Agree. Keeping Dowes (again) because "there's nothing better available" would be a concern. If Fitz and Lauaki leave, they will need replacing and in an ideal world, we really should be replacing Dowes.

[Kosh]

Re: More rumours... : Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:57 pm  

Standee wrote:

My only concern with Horne,Long,Dowes,Radford,Fitzgibbon etc is that we're not building for the future, even if these players manage another season or twowe still don't seem prepared to promote from within, I want to see the youngsters getting a chance, if they're good enough why aren't they, and if they aren't good enough, why not?

I am aware this all could come across as somrhing against Rich, it really isn't, I've sat in Napoleons enough times playing cards and talking about the game to know Rich is 100% professional and a real hard worker.

Of the players you mention there I'd only really want to keep Horne. And I do appreciate the point about youngsters coming through, but TBF I reckon Niklas would have featured a lot this season if not for his injury and we will have youngsters as back up next season who will all likely get games.

Re: More rumours... : Fri Jun 17, 2011 2:33 pm  

Kosh wrote:

Of the players you mention there I'd only really want to keep Horne. And I do appreciate the point about youngsters coming through, but TBF I reckon Niklas would have featured a lot this season if not for his injury and we will have youngsters as back up next season who will all likely get games.

have to be honest, I'd pretty much forgotten about Nicklas, he would have played more I think had he not been injured.

But it's always "next season" with FC isn't it, just so frustrating when trying to justify a 4 hour round trip and leaving work at 3pm to get to a game, just to see the same old same old.

Re: More rumours... : Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:49 pm  

Standee wrote:

Only Moa is a "must" out of thise

I would agree also .. And I've never been to Belgium .

Re: More rumours... : Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:58 pm  

thehullwhitestar wrote:

Agree. Keeping Dowes (again) because "there's nothing better available" would be a concern. If Fitz and Lauaki leave, they will need replacing and in an ideal world, we really should be replacing Dowes.

Im not sure why people seem to have a problem with dowes ability. I agree he is obviously not as good as moa/ogre but you cant have 4 props in your team that are they same quality as them 2, the salary cap just wont let this happen. For me dowes is a good hard working prop, no thrills but works his socks off.

Re: More rumours... : Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:09 pm  

BlackNwhite wrote:

[b]Im not sure why people seem to have a problem with dowes ability. I agree he is obviously not as good as moa/ogre but you cant have 4 props in your team that are they same quality as them 2, the salary cap just wont let this happen. For me dowes is a good hard working prop, no thrills but works his socks off.

Very true, Horne and Dowes to get new deals and a uk player to get Lauaki's role and that would be it for me.

Re: More rumours... : Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:14 pm  

Sheldon wrote:

Very true, Horne and Dowes to get new deals and a uk player to get Lauaki's role and that would be it for me.

Plus Kent,Green,Aldous,Crooks,will be a year older,wiser,stronger,and hopefully ready for a crack at 1st team level.