Both Clough and Johnson were on the small side, although better players than Moran who did little for us despite his size.
I remember after the dewsbury game, fans purporting that are pack was too small. Wrong. In terms of size we had bigger lads but lads who had as much aggression as a hamster.
Aggression over size for me all day.
Clough is a similar size and weight to Moran, as are Cook and Jewitt.
Saw Inu mentioned on twitter
Saw Inu mentioned on twitter
As a possible signing? Certainly got experience but Salford were playing him on the wing, just for his goal kicking.
Inu did well for us but can't see him part time.
I cant see us signing Inu as we have just signed Tyrer.
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I cant see us signing Inu as we have just signed Tyrer.
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I think Ryan Ince is more likely.
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I cant see us signing Inu as we have just signed Tyrer.
</p> I think Ryan Ince is more likely.
I thought we were OK for wingers?
Clough is an interesting one. Seems to depart clubs under a shroud of mystery. As mentioned, both he and Paul Johnson always seemed to be solid enough for us in Super League, but were sometimes just left on the bench or not even played with no explanation.
Sounds like he would be what we're looking for.
No doubt that Ottawa have done what Toronto did - offered players silly money on deadlines leaving the existing club little time to put together a counter offer (not that any club should really be drawn in to competing with them, especially for relatively replaceable players)
In the Ottawa situation the twins were manna from Heaven, two big lads, good vibes, always smiling, keen on community involvement. Just what Ottawa needs in Ottawa, wear the shirt, get out there and get people to notice you!
Disappointed losing Johnson but wouldn’t be surprised if he got a FT deal at Ottawa or offered decent money for Leigh
Graff has been a servant and always put himself forward for the big hits (although illegal once the shoulder charge got banned) and deserves credit because in the champ he was half decent just wasn’t SL level
Cooper can’t comment on
glad Lyons has resigned for a year will have to see how he goes but a good utility player to have to cover a number of positions
Scrum half in training. TS only switched him to FB to allow Owens to relieve Tompkins . Gives him good experience reading the game so not wasted.
With Tyrer in, Johnson out and no announcment either way yet on Roby, it looks like the backline will be very similar to 2020. Can't see us signing more than one more back and won't surprise me if we don't add any.
Forward signings are the key now, with six gone (5 of whom were in the first 17 most weeks) replacing them with better players would see us in a strong position. I haven't seen Lee Jewitt play recently but he has a good track record (albeit recent injury record a concern) but would be confident Matt Cook is an upgrade on all the forwards who have left. Glad we have retained our two best forwards (imo) in Baker and Tomkins. I think our season may stand or fall by the decisions on who we add to the pack.
Likelihood is that there will be a wait to see if there is any fallout from SL teams who may anticipate their reduction in funds next year. We might look for slightly younger back rowers/props next.
The age of Cook and Jewitt willl probably mean that they will need to be replaced next season.
If we can have a season with a more consistently competitive team we might even see improved gates and financial capability. Hopefully we will not be fighting Administrators and the RFL and can concentrate on the future signings.
Growing your own players isn't easy and requires the release of young players who are deemed unlikely to succeed at the top. Saints and Wigan have managed being focused on the real need rather than promoting automatically.
However, next year first, but hope that TS can help in picking a successor ready for 2022 if he retires.