cadoo wrote:Whatever happens regarding Bailey one thing the club should not do IMO is just release Bailey and not replace him.
We have a very young squad and in particular a very young but promising set of forwards. I think it is crucial for their development that they have experienced professionals around them to look up to and to take some of the weight off their shoulders so they can show what they can really do. We saw with Lee Mossop on Sunday how he struggled playing a big, touch and experienced Bradford pack alongside a very young Wigan pack. Joel Tomkins (22) Harrison Hansen (23). I don't think we can afford to lose Phil Bailey and Gareth Hock - and just have Sean O'loughlin with young kids. Saints are so successful in bringing youngsters through because they have a good environment and the right squad to do it. We have seen the results they have had and we need to do the same.
I don't think we should re-sign Bailey I think we should replace him though with someone with experience (which Bailey has) but of better quality. Bailey is just a solid player, which is not a bad thing but from an overseas player (even though he will come off the quota) you expect better and I believe he is one of our top earners. Six figure salary I have heard from people on this board. He is not worth that.
David Kidwell and Frank Puletua are both off contract and would be ideal. They wont come cheap but with Phil Bailey's and Gareth Hock's wages we should be more than capable of being able to afford one of these players while being able to re-sign our best youngsters. Now I understand it is really easy to just throw names into the hat and there is much more to it bringing one of those players over. Visa being granted, past injures, if they want to come over, will they settle etc etc
So if for whatever reason we can't bring in anyone this season then we can't just release Bailey and go with Mossop, Tomkins, Hansen and Lockers for me. We need an experienced head to take some of the pressure off the young lads. So only on an one year extension and (if rumours are true) a reduced salary would I re-sign Bailey. We are better off with Phil Bailey for a season, if we can't find a replacement than releasing him and not finding a replacement and just throw all the kids in with a young pack.
I agree but I’d personally prefer to keep Coley over Bailey for next season imo.
He’d be a good cover between prop and 2nd row as well as his defence is almost if not on par with Bailey’s and his go forward is also better.
The make up of our back row is screaming for a player who can put his head down and make hard yards. We’ve got two talented play makers in Joel and Lockers as well as a tackling machine in Hansen but who can we really count on to come off the bench and do a hard spell driving it in and tackling hard as well? Coley for me would just balance our back row better than Bayley.
I’d like to see this pack next season
Webb
Riddell
Griffin
Coley
Tomkins
Lockers
Feka
Fielden
Mcilorum
Hansen
With Prescott/Mossop swapping in when others are out of form or injured.
O’Carroll & Farrell out on loan.
