Re: Transfers, rumours - version 701! : Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:51 am  

Sheldon wrote:

At what age does a half back mature?

All players mature at different rates. There are loads of back and forwards that was better in their careers closer to 20, and plenty that get better closer to 30 too. The big advantage of signing them younger is the fact they should be more resistant to injuries, have a quicker recovery time, and have faster reactions. This and the obvious fact that a younger player has more potential to improve than an older player.

Re: Transfers, rumours - version 701! : Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:53 am  

Big Dave T wrote:

27 gives 5 or 6 seasons left. Thats a decent length of time left in a career to give. Didnt he only win the young player award 2 years ago? Is he really 27?

We really need to check that he isn't made of biscuits too

Re: Transfers, rumours - version 701! : Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:53 am  

Wytchfynder General wrote:

Well I'm not convinced, but it appears that many on here are of the opinion that we are going to go well next year, well from this fans perspective at least half of the team need to play their bloody socks off to get us anywhere near the next level.

Some people seem to have very short memories wrt injuries, last season wasn't unique for us, in fact it was closer to the norm in terms of our recent injury record.

Why do some people think that next year is going to be any different, particularly as our 'key' players are either the wrong side of 30 and or injury prone, in fact for this fan Mark Calderwood has good reason to feel aggrieved at the way he has been shown the door, I can think by that rationale, there are a couple of players he should have been behind, had it not been for his contract being up.

What concerns me is that we always bring in old(er) players to give the younger players some experience and the side some stability and momentum, then 2 years later we have a clear out and start again. This looks like being the cycle we are embarking on, 2012 will be clear out time again with new faces in (the next installment of giving 'Agars team' a chance), wheres the stability? How many 'Agars teams' do we have to put up with?

I thought it was only me who thinks we'll really struggle next year, our team now will be pushing for 7th at best.

Tansey
Sharpe
Berro
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Long
Dowes
Houghton
Shrek
Manu
Tickle
Fitz

Washbrook
Moa
Radford
Hame

That team really doesnt fill me with confidence, and thats assuming Long and Horne stay fit which isnt very likely. The bench is very poor baring Moa he offers something different.

We need massive change sand it all starts from the coach then to the halves. Wigan, Saints, Leeds, Wire, Hudds, Rovers are all better than us, the 1st 5 by some distance. I just cant see how we'll get into the top 6 with our current team and coach. 7th and 8th will be made up of either us, Bradford, Salford or Crusaders ( alot depends on Noble )

Re: Transfers, rumours - version 701! : Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:07 am  

Tansey
Sharpe
Berro
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Long
Hame
Houghton
Shrek
Tickle
Fitz
Whiting

Washbrook (Hk)
Radford (Pr)
Moa (Pr)
Manu (Sr)

Looks a good side imo.

Re: Transfers, rumours - version 701! : Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:12 am  

PAUL M wrote:

Tansey
Sharpe
Berro
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Long
Hame
Houghton
Shrek
Tickle
Fitz
Whiting

Washbrook (Hk)
Radford (Pr)
Moa (Pr)
Manu (Sr)

Looks a good side imo.

Throw in an additional prop and half back (essential IMO) as planned then if injuries are kind I tend to agree.

Whiting at 13 would mean a different style of rugby hopefully again something I think is an important change for next season but the bottom line is we have some talented players in that squad...

Re: Transfers, rumours - version 701! : Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:15 am  

Chris28 wrote:

We really need to check that he isn't made of biscuits too

Ah the memories. A team including biscuit leg, biscuit arm and biscuit shoulder. We were bound to have injury problems.

Re: Transfers, rumours - version 701! : Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:23 am  

PAUL M wrote:

Tansey
Sharpe
Berro
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Long
Hame
Houghton
Shrek
Tickle
Fitz
Whiting

Washbrook (Hk)
Radford (Pr)
Moa (Pr)
Manu (Sr)

Looks a good side imo.

Do you think we'll get better than 6th with only 1 signing ? Hame at prop is a massive worry, any prop with any sort of movement he grabs at fresh air. Yeaman hasnt done anything for the last couple of years. We all know deep down that Horne and Long will play half a season max. I dont even wanna mention Radford and Washbrook.

Re: Transfers, rumours - version 701! : Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:27 am  

PAUL M wrote:

Neither are Mason, Galea and Vella, what's your point?

You can understand why some fans have a negative attitude for next season, one signing is hardly going to freshen things up.

We have not had the chance to miss Willie Mason yet, Vella has missed a good fair few games in recent seasons now but again not a player we really rely on and in Galea's case, we do really miss him when he is out.

You might scrape a few more games out of Long and Horne this season. As it stands now with the squad you have, I really think you will struggle to make the top 8.

Re: Transfers, rumours - version 701! : Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:31 am  

PAUL M wrote:

Tansey
Sharpe
Berro
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Long
Hame
Houghton
Shrek
Tickle
Fitz
Whiting

Washbrook (Hk)
Radford (Pr)
Moa (Pr)
Manu (Sr)

Looks a good side imo.

How many times do you think we will start with that side? probably be able to count in on one hand like this season, Long another year older, even more prone to injuries, how many games did Fitz and Shrek miss?? plenty. On paper agree that looks a half decent side, but we all know it wont happen. Where already look like were going to be missing Radders for the start of the season, so that team is blown out the water straight away.

Re: Transfers, rumours - version 701! : Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:33 am  

VerbalKint wrote:

How many times do you think we will start with that side? probably be able to count in on one hand like this season, Long another year older, even more prone to injuries, how many games did Fitz and Shrek miss?? plenty. On paper agree that looks a half decent side, but we all know it wont happen.

Which is why a 'backup' half back is the most important piece of business we do in the off season.

Think you are been harsh on O'Meley as well.