Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 8:58 pm  

mwindass wrote:

Is Mitch the outside back AP referenced in his interview?

Id assume so as I cant see we'd sign another back or we'd be overloaded with them. If theres any cap left its a 2nd rower we need.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 9:03 pm  

giddyupoldfella wrote:

My concern before last season started was our back row.

It's also my concern at this time for next season.

We need to sign a champion player in the back row. That's all. If we get that then we'll do OK and probably make the top six. We're fine in all other positions. We'll get by with what we've got. But we need a champion in the back-row.

I'm not sure there are any champion back rowers available but it's the one area we definitely need to strengthen.

In truth a moderately average SR will be better than what we currently have.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Thu Oct 26, 2023 9:15 pm  

bonaire wrote:

I agree
The weakenst second row in S/L if as likely we run with Lane once again.
Filling in with a front row is not what we should be doing when its been and still is such a weak part of the team.

That's the worry. Talk in the press that Ashworth can fill in back row. Maybe he can but his best position is prop. Put him in the back row and just like last season we'll be weak at prop.

Also talk about Scott playing SR. No chance not strong enough at this stage of his career.

He started to show some promise last season and should continue to press for a starting centre place.

Another decent SR is needed.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 12:24 am  

Think Jebson or Staverly are gonna kick on next year. Definitely think one will make big strides

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:54 am  

Agreed on what's been said about second row but looks like we won't be bringing one in.
Still wouldn't be surprised to see Carlos there. Very much reminds me of Kallum Watkins.
Hopefully will be a breakthrough season for Staveley and Jebson.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 8:59 am  

we can get another decent 2nd row from the nrl,pay carlos off.seems simple to me.we also still need an out and out number 7.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 10:11 am  

Staveley going to be a staple in our side for a while I think. Just need to work on his fitness I think.

Luis Johnstone still without a club, surely worth bringing in on trial. I reckon he’ll go London, play regularly and kick on

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 10:49 am  

Hullrealist wrote:

Staveley going to be a staple in our side for a while I think. Just need to work on his fitness I think.

Luis Johnstone still without a club, surely worth bringing in on trial. I reckon he’ll go London, play regularly and kick on

Johnson signed by Smith at Rovers

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 10:53 am  

Carlos will play 2nd row next year i strongly believe that, he has all the attributes. I Personally reckon the below will b our strongest possible line up as it stands for 2024

Full Back
Walker

Wings
Tindall
Mcintosh

Centres
Scott
Sutcliffe

Halves
Trueman/Hoy
Brown

2nd Row
Tuimavave
Okunbur

Prop
Ese'ese
Ashworth

LF
Fash

Interchange
Sao
Pele
Smith
Cator/Lane

I also join others in really fancying a much improved season next year, TS has rid the club of a lot of its culture both on and off the field now and this is the 1st time we can confidently say this is his team and in the past a TS team has rarely not performed.

I also look at all the hype across the rover and think for the 1st time in their SL history, the pressure is on Rovers... They have set an expectation now and if they fall anywhere below where they have finished this season it will be deemed a failure on Peters... Much like TS, This is now a Peters side with very little remains from the previous leadership, They've spent a lot of money on some big names but i actually don't think they are any better off? They got May who is class but you could argue that Schneider was HUGE for them and they really picked up when he came and they've lost him so that's like for like if you ask me... Then they've lost Walker who much like Schneider was imperative to their end of season form, Then they've lost a HUGE player and leader in SKD and im not sure Gildart or Hiku are as capable a replacement personally. We may go a little under the radar now which may help us longer term take some pressure off the coach and the players! BRING ON 2024!!!

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Oct 27, 2023 12:22 pm  

Milky121086 wrote:

Carlos will play 2nd row next year i strongly believe that, he has all the attributes. I Personally reckon the below will b our strongest possible line up as it stands for 2024

Full Back
Walker

Wings
Tindall
Mcintosh

Centres
Scott
Sutcliffe

Halves
Trueman/Hoy
Brown

2nd Row
Tuimavave
Okunbur

Prop
Ese'ese
Ashworth

LF
Fash

Interchange
Sao
Pele
Smith
Cator/Lane

I also join others in really fancying a much improved season next year, TS has rid the club of a lot of its culture both on and off the field now and this is the 1st time we can confidently say this is his team and in the past a TS team has rarely not performed.

I also look at all the hype across the rover and think for the 1st time in their SL history, the pressure is on Rovers... They have set an expectation now and if they fall anywhere below where they have finished this season it will be deemed a failure on Peters... Much like TS, This is now a Peters side with very little remains from the previous leadership, They've spent a lot of money on some big names but i actually don't think they are any better off? They got May who is class but you could argue that Schneider was HUGE for them and they really picked up when he came and they've lost him so that's like for like if you ask me... Then they've lost Walker who much like Schneider was imperative to their end of season form, Then they've lost a HUGE player and leader in SKD and im not sure Gildart or Hiku are as capable a replacement personally. We may go a little under the radar now which may help us longer term take some pressure off the coach and the players! BRING ON 2024!!!

Moving players to unfamiliar positions ie Carlos and crossing our fingers they will perform will not improve us it just creates a problem backfilling centre.

I know this is negative and I hate to say it but that team even with a quality coach like Smith is in my opinion is not good enough to finish in the top six and that's what we should be aiming for.

I'll be absolutely delighted to be proved wrong and will be the first to acknowledge that.

Sorry!!