Fear that we may go heavy with DR players given it is now mid-October and we have signed 2 new players.
Hope to be proven wrong.
Also, No.1 priority has got to be to get a good stand-off, Craven was hit and miss in the last 18 months but we still need quality to dovetail with Gilmore.
I have a feeling you are correct. We need a Standoff and a few big forwards to the team. Anyone know the exact number of players for next year. When is squad night to announce number on shirts for players?
Not sure, but there’s a fans evening a week on Monday, where fans can go and voice their concerns and ask questions of Stuart Murphy and Chris Hamilton, a good opportunity for those that don’t like Hamilton, to quiz him.
Hopefully we will have signed one or two new players by then, maybe someone on the night, like they did with Wilde at a previous fans evening.
Lyons will be stand off next season, I was talking to his Dad about it last night (top bloke).
@gpo1971 if that's true then that in itself is the perfect example of the clubs ambition in 24..knowing they won't be going up...won't be going down purely through restructure...of all the departures Craven's replacement is ultimately the key one ..the club has to get this right ..no ifs buts maybes about it ...if Lyons is seen as a starting 6 I'm literally done because that's inexcusable..the 6/7 combo and lack of punch in the pack has blatantly been the teams downfall...by all accounts the packs being addressed but if a decent 6 isn't brought in then that's just kamikaze recruitment...I've said it before I'll say it again .. perfect partner for Gilmore is his opposite..a running half ...a sammut...a meadows etc ...Lyons couldn't run a bath ..
@gpo1971 if that's true then that in itself is the perfect example of the clubs ambition in 24..knowing they won't be going up...won't be going down purely through restructure...of all the departures Craven's replacement is ultimately the key one ..the club has to get this right ..no ifs buts maybes about it ...if Lyons is seen as a starting 6 I'm literally done because that's inexcusable..the 6/7 combo and lack of punch in the pack has blatantly been the teams downfall...by all accounts the packs being addressed but if a decent 6 isn't brought in then that's just kamikaze recruitment...I've said it before I'll say it again .. perfect partner for Gilmore is his opposite..a running half ...a sammut...a meadows etc ...Lyons couldn't run a bath ..
I have a feeling we be using DR and loans from Super league too. The restructure they probably have not got the money to spend on players, but I do feel a number 6 who runs as Gilmore and Lyons are not players taking on the line. A few more big forwards, decent center also a must for me. If got a good connection with a Super league club we may get regular loan and dual players.
Irrespective of Lyons we will need at least one more half back in case of injuries.
Irrespective of Lyons we will need at least one more half back in case of injuries.
100% and hopefully these questions will be asked on the meeting? Imperative we have 3 halfbacks who are in that position, rather than putting a makeshift player like Jack Owens. Dual and Loans should mainly be forwards through injuries.
Not knowing what sort of game AC wants to play doesn't help of course! Gilly wasn't a line-breaking back at Batley but he was a manipulator and manager, iirc much like Ford was at Oldham!!!!
You could have a big standoff who acted as a pivot for Gilly - there are options - Brad Walker style maybe.
Definitely think that medows from batley is a great option in the halves with Gilmore. Strong runner and kicker. Played well together a few years back
I don’t think Lyons is the answer. But in fairness to him, he’s never had a decent pack to play behind.
Even Gilmore, who’s lauded everywhere, didn’t do much last season.
Getting a big pack is vital and talk about other decisions, selection and recruitment, is a waste of time. Because unless we have a half decent pack it’s a total waste of time.
Lyons signed a 2 year deal weeks ago so there's a 50/50 chance he and Gilly will be the first choice 6 and 7, not my preferred option but hey ho.
As stated by myself and others on here, Gilly is a decent player with a dominating pack in front of him but once again I can't see us having that. My fear is Owens is seen as a back up should either suffer a long term injury.
On the subject of Owens, I think we'd get more out of him at centre and put Edge at fullback.