Big Dave T wrote:Having an opinion to post on another teams board doesnt mean obsessed.
I think the thing that most Rovers fans seem to ignore when looking at 2009 performances is the external factors like some teams under performing that would usually have been above them as well as internal factors like getting through the season with very little injuries. I dont think still that the Rovers squad were the 4th best in the league and i'm saying that with as objective a cap on as i can for a decent debate rather than a slanging match. I think youve got weaker aswell and i honestly do think that if teams like Warrington, Bradford and us all perform well Rovers could see a bit of a slide which may surprise a lot of Rovers fans.
I thought the front row that you had in 2009 was what stopped you progressing in the playoffs, Vella needed to carry the team single handedly. If thats the case and it's weaker i'd say its essential to strengthen.
Agree, it cant be at any cost. As i asked in the Hudge thread though, will Rovers fans accept 2 years of finishing outside of the playoffs and still turn up and pay to watch the rugby if the cost savings achieved mean you can develop the stadium to be a long term sustainable business?
It sure will be interesting.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
I agree and disagree with the other teams underperforming as you could say we should have finished above hudds who over performed (or did they), likewise when any team other than the traditional top 4 of Leeds, Bradford, Wigan and Saints do any good have they over performed or have the just improved whereas others have got worse (and may stay worse). Lets face it Wigan haven’t won anything for years yet if they finished top no one would say they over performed.
Bradford for me will be weak next year, they've signed Orford but lost a hell of a lot more and one man will never make a team especially one taking up a huge chunk of cap space. I think Deacon will look far better at Wigan next year due to better options in the centres.
Hull will do better but I still think it will take time to gel, a lot of staff turnover very rarely hits it off straight away and if this is the case a fair but of unrest may be caused due to (unrealistic) high expectations not being met ie. Calling for the coaches head etc.
I agree wire should be a lot better, lets face it any team with 2 lots of salary cap should be..
I think a lot of injuries were over looked and probably overshadowed by your own injury nightmare last year but we did have out fair share. Mainly in the front row with Vella missing a large chunk, Fozzard not fit, Aizue missing most of the year, chev barely getting fit and we had a fair few walking wounded. We never really lost Cooke or Dobbo after the first few weeks and would certainly miss Dobson if injured but that goes for 90% of the SL clubs in relation to scrum halves.
There is no doubt a quality front rower is needed (or even Mills to hit his weight) but we shall have to wait and see, maybe Clinton will come in or maybe JM will play Newton in the FR and use Taylor / Cook more in the SR, I personally think this is a mistake as Newton was probably the best 2nd rower in the league in the 2nd half of the regular season but again its wait and see.
I would expect if we did finisg outside the play offs for a couple of years our crowds would drop a bit, but is anyone saying that we will, the team we put out will be (should be) good enough to get into the play offs, if not then the balance of finances to performance is wrong again.