Have seen Gregson play a few times, he had a good game at loose forward in their win at the Shay last week and scored an excellent try. I would be fine with him as a replacement for Brown as a loose forward who can deputise elsewhere if necessary but I would say he is more of a utility player than a suitable replacement for Craven at 6.
Well, another disappointing year and fell short of the expectations of fans.
Now losing some of our "better" players, but I suppose we have to see who the replacements are and how Coleman can build a team for 2024, before judging whether or not we are likely to be in the same position next year.
I am not sure whether the rumoured signings fill me with any confidence in thinking we can challenge for a top 6 finish, but I guess we have to live in hope.
An interesting comment by the Keighley owner commenting on their relegation - “We probably thought we could buy our way up the league and that took priority over building a team of players who gave 100 per cent for the club."
Maybe we will build a big rough pack and bring in a couple of quality players to play off them - a decent stand-off to play alongside Gilmour and a strong running centre, are a must - but the Club are saying nothing to fans about their plans for next year.
The good news is that Chris Hamilton believes that the Club is in a good position "grading wise" in meeting the IMG criteria for SL. Just a pity that we are nowhere near any position to compete for SL on the pitch!!!
There are a few clubs disappointed after making expensive signings - look at Wire etc. The key has to be the team as a team and if that doesn't work the individual skills don't shine.
Wonder what Keighley's Director of Rugby thinks of the Chairman's remarks!!?
@sandgroper he is actually a second row/loose forward but for a good chunk of swintons season has filled in at 6 ..if he's coming as a back rower I'm cool with that but if he's coming as Craven's replacement that's just a joke
I'm with you c-v. A creative loose forward would be a plus but whoever we play at stand off has to chime well with Gilmore.
When we had both on the field (very rarely) they complemented each other which is better than just one move maker.
I thought that Craven's game had become predictable, other than his individual skills like his show and go. The short ball to Wilde worked once many years ago but stayed as his favourite move, resulting in Wilde getting hit every time.
Gilmore's plans are wider than just his play and he needs players with him to help put them on as he did at Batley. A full pre-season with Lyons could work the oracle but many on here decry his efforts. I notice that he was the feed for Ince's two scores at Fev. If there isn't a good option from elsewhere we may not have a choice!
@sandgroper totally agree ..I think we'll be a totally different team with a decent half back partnership that actually play ..think tbh Lyons is very similar to Gilmore ..more of a kicking game..decent hands but with virtually no running threat ...but we need that 6 that carries that threat ..can't have two halves that are limited ...that's what craven had to a degree ..he offered something different when he did play and was fit .. personally I'd love someone similar to a James meadows at batley ..can go off either foot ....breaks the line ..bit off the cuff but very dangerous in opponent's 20..we shall see what is offered up
Well if gregson is signed as a 6 Coleman must see something there but when at swinton he didn’t play much at 6
we need a quality 6 and half a new pack !
There will be announcements next week of new signings. Keep the faith. 💪👍 Only player gutted leaving is Farnworth, but he has only played 81 games in six seasons. Hardly a robust player.
At his age he needs to be the youngster amongst a big pack so that he can use his energy after they have taken the bumps. As it was last year he was there to be shot at and he took it.
Just hope that a step down allows him to recover and develop.
At his age he needs to be the youngster amongst a big pack so that he can use his energy after they have taken the bumps. As it was last year he was there to be shot at and he took it.
Just hope that a step down allows him to recover and develop.
He did others didn't back him up for sure. I did rate him and a little gutted has gone to Oldham. Obviously he was offered more money to leave unfortunately. Hopefully sign some big props, as about time had a big pack.
But of a shame we couldn’t have kept him and included him as part of a bigger and more effective pack. He’s still young enough to suggest he hasn’t had reached his beak as a prop. Seems such a waste letting him go at this point.
Getting rid of these players shouldn't be a problem. Everyone has been slagging them off as not good enough for ages.
The key is who comes in instead.
We have a new coach, we have to trust that he'll get it right. If he doesn't, we all know what will happen.
At the moment we look miles from returning to the playoffs never mind Super League,I believe the current board have tried their level best to get the team competing again but poor decisions on recruitment have made the situation we are in now look desperate.As a fan base we've always had a little bit of hope to cling on to,but I'm afraid the years of struggle have finally taken their toll,After 36 years of highs and lows(Mostly Lows) I'm done-I won't be renewing my season pass-The last 2 years of Mediocrity have been the last straw for me.
At the moment we look miles from returning to the playoffs never mind Super League,I believe the current board have tried their level best to get the team competing again but poor decisions on recruitment have made the situation we are in now look desperate.As a fan base we've always had a little bit of hope to cling on to,but I'm afraid the years of struggle have finally taken their toll,After 36 years of highs and lows(Mostly Lows) I'm done-I won't be renewing my season pass-The last 2 years of Mediocrity have been the last straw for me.
Heart breaking mate isn't it. I know plenty who have had enough
@sandgroper if he's coming as Craven's replacement that's just a joke
All he has to live upto is missing more games through injury that he actually plays and getting sin binned every time he does make it onto the pitch.
People talk about Craven like he was the second coming of Tony Myler....he struggles to make the top 10 Widnes stand offs since the 1970s when I started watching. Dennis O'Neill, Dave Moran, Barry Dowd, God himself, Dave Hulme playing 6 to Andy Gregs 7, Kev Brown, Paul Manson, Richard Agar, Steve Carter and Craven would be behind every one of them.