Thought we had our best pack for a few seasons at the start of this year but with two props leaving and not being replaced and JJ not finding the form he should have been capable of we have ended the season again struggling for forwards with two backs on the bench tonight. The 2023 pack contained many players who will not be here next year -
Farnworth - rumoured to be going to Oldham
Fozard - was rumoured to be going to Sheffield/London. Hopefully staying as he has been our best performer in 2023
Amor - retired mid season having made little impact
Wilde - out of contract, hopefully staying but not seen anything either way
Lawton - supposedly Oldham bound
Bent - seemingly out of contract, recovering from a serious injury
Johnstone - under contract for next year but must be some doubt having gone out on loan
Johnson - Left without playing a game. At Oldham
FIELD - CONTRACTED
Grady - Retiring
Davies - out of contract.
Hatton - out of contract
Brown - rumoured to be yet another heading to Oldham
TILLEKE - CONTRACTED
WALKER - CONTRACTED
Three contracted forwards of whom arguably only Field is a first 17 choice when we are at full strength. Massive rebuild to do. On the plus side most of the backs are decent.
Well, when you put it that way MT 😂😂
Matty our backs are definitely okay it is the forwards who have let us down by not punching holes down the middle. Sums ir up coming 9th and if we retained the players I am sure with attitude the playoffs was achievable. Also not having consistent halfbacks all season hasn't helped.
Simply, we need at least 2 props, a decent stand off and a quality centre, Fleming has really gone off the boil
wingers - no probs
full back ?
decent 13 would be good
hibernation time coming , decided to renew 2 ST, even though only make 5 games a season
onwards and upwards
Simply, we need at least 2 props, a decent stand off and a quality centre, Fleming has really gone off the boil
wingers - no probs
full back ?
decent 13 would be good
hibernation time coming , decided to renew 2 ST, even though only make 5 games a season
onwards and upwards
I would go along with that and Edge/Owens for Fullback, but gone off Jack Owens as a player. Unless find a fullback who is better quality who is versatile? Hooker I hope Fozzard and Johnstone? Then a quality centre is a must signing to break the line and to set up our decent wingers in for tries. 2 big props, 2 Back rowers and Loose forward because lost Lawton and Brown. A standoff to replace Craven, so looking at 8 new players possibly added to our squad,with the several leaving.
The sooner we know who is leaving the better. Fozard is the key imo. With a pack that can give him quick ptb's he can open up most defences. But that should be what we are looking for anyway, whoever is hooker!
JJ might have scratched his itch now and realised that life will still go on outside SL. Iirc Sheens tried Jack Owens at hooker maybe an option if we are happy with our backs without him.
I noticed that Rhodri Lloyd was listed at centre last week, don't know if he actually played at centre, but he was a second row.
Wasn't Lloyd a winger/centre before he converted to 2nd row?
BACKS: Fleming is no threat to any team, needs to leave. He's also got some real defensive ricks in him.
FORWARDS: seriously in need of size, power and aggression right across the pack. While I like Field, he's about as aggressive as my Nan. Ditto for Wilde.
While the forwards need a huge overhaul, a large chunk of anything freed up by Craven (and potentially Lyons) leaving, should be allocated to targeting a big, pacy (ideally overseas / south seas) centre to get people out of their seats and actually pose a threat to our opponents. We have been tame as anything this season. Easy to defend against. Teams with far less fanbase / budget seem to find the points machines in the centres, why can't we....?
I notice that there are two on loan Saints players who are back rowers in the Swinton squad today: Baxter and Foster: both are being released by Saints. Maybe they will be coming here?
Dudson may divide opinion but I think he is more than decent for this level.
Two more props needed? I would say 3 at the very least.Walker has done ok overall compared to whst some anticipated but he does not do big minutes. Field is a second row playing prop. Tilleke is only a squad player. Hatton no news of as regards next year. Farnworth & Lawton are leaving.
Dudson is a no brainer a big experienced prop that we need. He did ok last time he was here in SL but an injury hampered him latterly. This new concensus that older players are useless is flawed. Lockwood & Ramsey served us well when past 30 years of age
Two more props needed? I would say 3 at the very least.Walker has done ok overall compared to whst some anticipated but he does not do big minutes. Field is a second row playing prop. Tilleke is only a squad player. Hatton no news of as regards next year. Farnworth & Lawton are leaving.
Dudson is a no brainer a big experienced prop that we need. He did ok last time he was here in SL but an injury hampered him latterly. This new concensus that older players are useless is flawed. Lockwood & Ramsey served us well when past 30 years of age
I don't think anyone knows who is staying and leaving to be fair. Probably could be 4 or 5 more props. Lawton never a prop in my opinion.
As stated on my post, The Dud, no thanks , it smells of Amor and Cook. I can't see him putting a shift in, and he will hardly go for psy as you play, and no one commented on Lyons new 2 year deal (Cravens replacement)
Fozard, Bent & Wilde will be here next year.
Paulie xx
Fozard, Bent & Wilde will be here next year.
Paulie xx
Fozard and Wilde I would have kept for sure. Bent not too bothered, but beggars can't be choosers. Bent does tackle and work hard which is something we want from the whole squad
LMS is leaving Saints to join the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, I have read. Now, he would be worth a years contract - old or not - he is a hard working grafter.