Who made them last year Mick, do we know?
Was it Sheens or Finney? Or both?
Who made them last year Mick, do we know? Was it Sheens or Finney? Or both?
My guess is both but its only a guess, This year I think it is both again unless the coach states otherwise. The Ince signing has to be a Finney one. I hope the four signings work wonders but not convincing me one iota. Props and a half back are priority for me, at least with the sining of another hooker maybe Tompkins has gone but I fear for Else.
I didn’t think this years squad needed a major overhaul, a few more forwards and we would have been fine.
Surprised we’re ripping it up and starting again.
There may be a few players who have been offered a contract, but they are hanging on to see if any other offers come along.
Hatton looked a decent player for us and would be surprised if he is not re-signed, unless he gets a better offer elsewhere. I would prefer Hatton to Ince.
Hopefully we are aiming to have a bigger squad in 2022 and some signings will be squad players providing cover for injuries. Regarding the Oldham signings, I can remember people making similar comments when we signed Cross and Spedding from Barrow and they haven't done too bad.
Who would we retain of those not yet re-signed - Hatton, Lyons, Roby, Edge, Buckley, Josh Wilde, Else, Tilleke, Brookes, Hulme?
As far as I can see, we have signed/re-signed 16 players, so we need to bring in a few more. I hope we go for a bigger squad this year and not rely on loans. I would not be surprised if we re-signed most of the players, with the exception of possibly Roby or Buckley and maybe Wilde. It really depends on whether we can bring in any better players.
In the seemingly unlikely event of Tomkins playing next season, or in any event, Fozard will be first choice hooker. Maybe we need to retain Hulme as cover at hooker and Else to revert half-back. I would think that Tilleke will be retained. That leaves Lyons, Edge and Brookes, who I would retain.
We have Farnworth, Nzoungou, Dupree as props, with Tilleke hopefully retained, but still need to sign a couple of experienced props.
On the assumption that Finnegan has identified players he wanted to sign for 2022 and Finney has supported the signings, I assume that they will hold their hands up if things go wrong; and take the plaudits from the sceptical supporters, if we are in the play-offs and in with a chance of promotion this time next year.
I didn’t think this years squad needed a major overhaul, a few more forwards and we would have been fine. Surprised we’re ripping it up and starting again.
Really ? Have a look at the league table and have a look at the players who looked like key members of the team and how much they were able to contribute.
I didn’t think this years squad needed a major overhaul, a few more forwards and we would have been fine. Surprised we’re ripping it up and starting again.
Really ? Have a look at the league table and have a look at the players who looked like key members of the team and how much they were able to contribute.
We were only 3 wins off the play offs.
Think we had a basis of a decent squad, just needed quality in a few key areas adding to it.
The SL players we signed haven’t worked out so why not give them a go
I didn’t think this years squad needed a major overhaul, a few more forwards and we would have been fine. Surprised we’re ripping it up and starting again.
The two key areas to sort - prop and hooker.
It seems that Fozard and Gregory will sort the hooker problem, though would like to see Hulme or even Else retained too.
Prop wise - we've lost Clough and replaced with Nzoungou; lost Cook and replaced with Dupree. And as you say, we were well short even with Clough and Cook.
The trouble is it doesn't seem that there are an awful lot of props available - as has been hinted by others, maybe we'll see Baker and Grady make a permanent switch to front-row; especially if Brown is coming to play 13, which would also suggest Smith might be returning to 7.
I think Hatton would be a loss - especially with Cross already going. But with Fleming and Holroyd coming in, as well as Ince, perhaps we feel covered.
Owens, Ince, Tyrer, Spedding, Fleming (Holroyd), Craven, Smith, Farnworth, Fozard, Dupree, Wilde, Lawton, Baker. Subs: Nzoungou, Bent, Gregory, Grady.
Looking at James' post and suggested team; I would prefer to have Hatton rather than Ince, glad to see Baker back at LF, think that Hulme played well enough to be given a new contract.
Of course, we don't know what has been happening behind the scenes. We may well have made offers to other new and existing players and are awaiting their decision. Still can't understand that if if Cross has signed for Salford why it hasn't been announced.
Squad players for me other than Dupree. Looks like Tomkins will be retiring/moving on as we have signed 2 hookers, but I hope we keep Hulme as I think he has earned his spot and will improve with a full pre season.
Surprised we have signed another back rower, it points to Baker being used in the front row, which I think is a mistake, but may be a reflection of a lack of front rowers available.
That looks a very competitive 17 but still has only one actual prop on the bench. Very much hoping we do manage to strengthen in that area rather than relying on players such as Grady (for example) playing out of position there. Obviously depth is key as well, last season we went into the season with numbers 18-26 all inexperienced players, the majoirty of which are outside backs. Am reasonably optimistic this won't happen again though whether it will quite as strong a squad as we would like to see remains to be seen.
I'd agree with those wanting to keep Hulme. Suspect he is well capable of doing a job in the second row if required and if the two hookers potentially ahead of him are fit and in-form. Ollie Brookes would be very unlucky not to get a contract as well based on some very good performances from limited opportunities so far. He looks to have the potential to be a decent winger.
When you sign players you hope they improve the squad. I’m not convinced Ince offers anything more than Hatton or Brookes do. I see the logic in the other signings but Ince really baffles me
Ince, before he left, seemed poor on defence, preferring to go for an interception rather than tackle. He may have learned by now - we shall see!
The props so far signed are in the Farnworth pattern, though some look to be even more energetic. Looks like Dupree will fight hard in the tackle, something that we have missed.
We still need a couple of older heads alongside the enthusiasm.
I would prefer Baker at loose, but we'll have to see what the plan is I guess.
I didn’t think this years squad needed a major overhaul, a few more forwards and we would have been fine. Surprised we’re ripping it up and starting again.
Really ? Have a look at the league table and have a look at the players who looked like key members of the team and how much they were able to contribute.
Wow we agree.