Remaining positions to strengthen : Sun Nov 29, 2009 2:00 pm  

Okay, so with the majority of the squad nailed down it is rumoured that another 3 will complete the squad and will be announced in the coming weeks. A centre is a must IMO and Chris Dean has been mentioned on numerous occasions and would fit in well in a fast back line. Another position to be filled IMO is another second rower/Loose forward. This would enable some considerable impact from the bench for someone like Varkulis. Lets hope although a little doubtful that Jon Clarke can find his way in at Loose Forward. The last position to be covered is a a utility back, someone who can cover the centre and wing and even full back if needed. Perhaps Lomax from Saints.



Based on the above if it were to come off or we could get players similar would give us a great balance of a squad and massively improved on last year.



Full Back

James Ford
Scott Yates

Wing

Paddy Flynn
Dean Gaskell
Matt Gardner

Centre

Toa Kohe Love
Chris Dean
Jonnie Lomax
Dean Thompson

Stand off

Anthony Thackeray

Scrum Half

James Webster
Danny Hulme

Prop

Steve Pickersgill
Gareth Haggerty
Jim Gannon
Ben Kavanagh
Dave Houghton
Anthony Mullally

Hooker

Mark Smith
Thomas Coyle

Second Row

Dave Allen
Lee Doran
Richard Varkulis
Shayne Grady
Matt Strong

Loose Forward

Jon Clarke
Chris Gerrard



There are other rumours of Kevin Penny coming back so perhaps that would enable Gardner to play centre?


Thoughts?

: Sun Nov 29, 2009 4:18 pm  

Yea I think if add Clark permanent... then Dean, Penny & Lomax dual reg the squad will be spot on!

As you say centres and loose only slight weak spots now, Penny puts Gardner at Centre plus you have Dean, Varks & Grady who can all play Centre / 2nd row!

Re: Remaining positions to strengthen : Sun Nov 29, 2009 5:11 pm  

-VIKINGMAN- wrote:

Okay, so with the majority of the squad nailed down it is rumoured that another 3 will complete the squad and will be announced in the coming weeks. A centre is a must IMO and Chris Dean has been mentioned on numerous occasions and would fit in well in a fast back line. Another position to be filled IMO is another second rower/Loose forward. This would enable some considerable impact from the bench for someone like Varkulis. Lets hope although a little doubtful that Jon Clarke can find his way in at Loose Forward. The last position to be covered is a a utility back, someone who can cover the centre and wing and even full back if needed. Perhaps Lomax from Saints.



Based on the above if it were to come off or we could get players similar would give us a great balance of a squad and massively improved on last year.



Full Back

James Ford
Scott Yates

Wing

Paddy Flynn
Dean Gaskell
Matt Gardner

Centre

Toa Kohe Love
Chris Dean
Jonnie Lomax
Dean Thompson

Stand off

Anthony Thackeray

Scrum Half

James Webster
Danny Hulme

Prop

Steve Pickersgill
Gareth Haggerty
Jim Gannon
Ben Kavanagh
Dave Houghton
Anthony Mullally

Hooker

Mark Smith
Thomas Coyle

Second Row

Dave Allen
Lee Doran
Richard Varkulis
Shayne Grady
Matt Strong

Loose Forward

Jon Clarke
Chris Gerrard



There are other rumours of Kevin Penny coming back so perhaps that would enable Gardner to play centre?


Thoughts?

I agree mate.Strong squad who can beat anyone in this league even the big headed fax fans who some have us below top 6.

: Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:14 pm  

Yeh I'm sure can also beat your squad SB, tad hypocritical ain't you?

Re: Remaining positions to strengthen : Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:43 pm  

Soldierboy wrote:

I agree mate.Strong squad who can beat anyone in this league even the big headed fax fans who some have us below top 6.

There's a shock, TA Boy's thrown his rattle out of his pram again. Closest league yet in my book and I can't even start to think of league table positions.

: Sun Nov 29, 2009 8:23 pm  

i know i'll probably get shot down, but i really think we need another prop/second row forward
last year was were we seemed to be beaten most through the middle and having 2 academy lads out of the 5 props worry's me a little as they're not always consistent enough to warrant a first team place.

Re: Remaining positions to strengthen : Sun Nov 29, 2009 8:29 pm  

Soldierboy wrote:

I agree mate.Strong squad who can beat anyone in this league even the big headed fax fans who some have us below top 6.

you really do have a grudge against fax dont you.

you have a very good squad. it looks good, it will defonatley be competitive at the top.

i put you to finish 3rd. everyone has a different view. it wouldnt suprose me at all if some of the fax fans that put you to finish below 6th just to rile you up. stop taking the bate mate.

: Sun Nov 29, 2009 8:44 pm  

IMO if there is a weakness it would be in the centres. We all know how good TKL can be, but he's bound to miss the odd game if not more. Varkulis looked far better in the forwards this year and when he did play in the centres, IMO he didn't make much impact.

Dean Thompson could turn out to be a great player, but he is completely unproven so it would be great if we could get someone like Dean.

Re: Remaining positions to strengthen : Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:08 pm  

-VIKINGMAN- wrote:

Okay, so with the majority of the squad nailed down it is rumoured that another 3 will complete the squad and will be announced in the coming weeks. A centre is a must IMO and Chris Dean has been mentioned on numerous occasions and would fit in well in a fast back line. Another position to be filled IMO is another second rower/Loose forward. This would enable some considerable impact from the bench for someone like Varkulis. Lets hope although a little doubtful that Jon Clarke can find his way in at Loose Forward. The last position to be covered is a a utility back, someone who can cover the centre and wing and even full back if needed. Perhaps Lomax from Saints.



Based on the above if it were to come off or we could get players similar would give us a great balance of a squad and massively improved on last year.



Full Back

James Ford
Scott Yates

Wing

Paddy Flynn
Dean Gaskell
Matt Gardner

Centre

Toa Kohe Love
Chris Dean
Jonnie Lomax
Dean Thompson

Stand off

Anthony Thackeray

Scrum Half

James Webster
Danny Hulme

Prop

Steve Pickersgill
Gareth Haggerty
Jim Gannon
Ben Kavanagh
Dave Houghton
Anthony Mullally

Hooker

Mark Smith
Thomas Coyle

Second Row

Dave Allen
Lee Doran
Richard Varkulis
Shayne Grady
Matt Strong

Loose Forward

Jon Clarke
Chris Gerrard



There are other rumours of Kevin Penny coming back so perhaps that would enable Gardner to play centre?


Thoughts?

Looking at that squad that is the weakest backline you've had in years. I take it your going try to bash it up the middle this season?

: Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:14 pm  

1 - Ford
2 - Gaskell
3 - Gardner
4 - Kohe
5 - Flynn

Not amazing but i'd say good enough for this league, Gardner scored hat load playing Centre for Salford the other year!