retaining talanoa shows lack of ambition, yes he's scored a few tries but then so would most wingers in SL and frankly the championship in those positions. Mini I'm torn on, he does more than just run the line, he also backs up at dummy half on occasion and can pass the ball, I think people will realise if/when he goes what big boots he's left behind to fill, more so than Ellis going IMHO. If he's on a reduced contract it's maybe acceptable but it's basically what cap space do we have to get a decent replacement. I think Lane will obviously continue to get better and looks a very decent prospect, we already know what an absolute grafter Fash is, for me if Washbrook is retained it'd be shambolic, he is the one player who stunts the progress of Litten and others by being used as a stop gap player, does he have experience, yes but honestly he simply isn't good enough and as I said he gets used instead of other squad players who actually play in the positions he's put in.
Litten absolutely needs to be considered to rotate Houghton because Houghton will not last forever and potentially get more injuries on the back of the workload he has to do as he gets older (30 in 4 months time) it also stunts Houghton's effectiveness playing 80 all the time.
In some ways it would have been nice to have seen Miloudi get a crack at the 6 position and if he'd be good enough to replace Kelly in which case we would have had a shed load of cash to upgrade on Mini. I'm quite happy to retain Green/Bowden, they aren't going to be on a heap load of cash and both offer a decent input for what they are which is good rotations off the bench though both have been a little bit off the pace this season compared to previous years, if more come through though and certainly with Lane/fash/london kid and potentially with Litten on the bench they certainly need to be looking over their shoulders and showing their worth and indeed Turgut to get another go to also prove whether he can raise to the challenge. I'd also include Manu in that bracket of dropped off from 2016/17 in terms of performance but would be worth another year though depends on whether he wants 2 years or nothing.
Hadley has been outstanding, even from his first season I thought he was going to be a very good player and for me he has bound the team together at times in the way he has played.
On the face of it, it looks like JA is going to be leaving/not offered a contract which is a bloody shame.
knockersbumpMKII wrote:retaining talanoa shows lack of ambition, yes he's scored a few tries but then so would most wingers in SL and frankly the championship in those positions. Mini I'm torn on, he does more than just run the line, he also backs up at dummy half on occasion and can pass the ball, I think people will realise if/when he goes what big boots he's left behind to fill, more so than Ellis going IMHO. If he's on a reduced contract it's maybe acceptable but it's basically what cap space do we have to get a decent replacement. I think Lane will obviously continue to get better and looks a very decent prospect, we already know what an absolute grafter Fash is, for me if Washbrook is retained it'd be shambolic, he is the one player who stunts the progress of Litten and others by being used as a stop gap player, does he have experience, yes but honestly he simply isn't good enough and as I said he gets used instead of other squad players who actually play in the positions he's put in.
Litten absolutely needs to be considered to rotate Houghton because Houghton will not last forever and potentially get more injuries on the back of the workload he has to do as he gets older (30 in 4 months time) it also stunts Houghton's effectiveness playing 80 all the time.
In some ways it would have been nice to have seen Miloudi get a crack at the 6 position and if he'd be good enough to replace Kelly in which case we would have had a shed load of cash to upgrade on Mini. I'm quite happy to retain Green/Bowden, they aren't going to be on a heap load of cash and both offer a decent input for what they are which is good rotations off the bench though both have been a little bit off the pace this season compared to previous years, if more come through though and certainly with Lane/fash/london kid and potentially with Litten on the bench they certainly need to be looking over their shoulders and showing their worth and indeed Turgut to get another go to also prove whether he can raise to the challenge. I'd also include Manu in that bracket of dropped off from 2016/17 in terms of performance but would be worth another year though depends on whether he wants 2 years or nothing.
Hadley has been outstanding, even from his first season I thought he was going to be a very good player and for me he has bound the team together at times in the way he has played.
On the face of it, it looks like JA is going to be leaving/not offered a contract which is a bloody shame.
Abdul, green and Bowden are all contracted for next year
This season is going to fizzle out with us winning nothing. In my opinion we need a lot of refreshing. It looks like Minichello and Talanoa will get contracts for next season but i would release both players together with Washbrook,Abdull,Turgut and Osborne. The fact that Turgut was not recalled from Featherstone given our injury crisis shows how far down the pecking line he is now. Now Westerman is back Abdull would get very little game time so we could try and get a fee for him. I just hope we dont sit back and think we have a strong enough squad for next season because we dont and 2019 could be a very average season
bonaire wrote:This season is going to fizzle out with us winning nothing. In my opinion we need a lot of refreshing. It looks like Minichello and Talanoa will get contracts for next season but i would release both players together with Washbrook,Abdull,Turgut and Osborne. The fact that Turgut was not recalled from Featherstone given our injury crisis shows how far down the pecking line he is now. Now Westerman is back Abdull would get very little game time so we could try and get a fee for him. I just hope we dont sit back and think we have a strong enough squad for next season because we dont and 2019 could be a very average season
This seasons never really got going. I said before the season that the oz trip would cause us problems and it did with injuries and the travel and since then we've had a catalogue of injuries to our better players, sending offs and some really poor performances in there too.
If we could get our best 17 out most weeks we'd be ok but we've never been near doing that this year.
I'd keep mini, he's still performing to a high standard, and playing more minutes than maybe he should at the moment because of injuries to other players.
I'm surprised how many people are writing him off.
Is Hodgson the new Griffin, or is it all about pace?
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29802 Location: West Yorkshire
ccs wrote:Turgut didn't play for Featherstone today.
I'd keep mini, he's still performing to a high standard, and playing more minutes than maybe he should at the moment because of injuries to other players.
I'm surprised how many people are writing him off.
How many games has he played in from a possible 15?
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29802 Location: West Yorkshire
ComeOnYouUll wrote:Thirteen from fifteen this season. Since he signed he's played 101/118. Not bad for a forward in his thirties. Usually does eighty minutes too.
That's impressive. He's meticulous in preparation as well. Depends whether we can trade up in a difficult transfer market.
ccs wrote:Turgut didn't play for Featherstone today.
I'd keep mini, he's still performing to a high standard, and playing more minutes than maybe he should at the moment because of injuries to other players.
I'm surprised how many people are writing him off.
if turgot is drafted into the squad, wouldnt be surprised to see him in the centre
Joined: Jan 30 2004 Posts: 8223 Location: Never never land away with the fairies
With regards to Mini and whether we replace or not it all comes down to whether as a club we can bring anyone in that would be better than Mini. If not then a 1 year deal for me would be a decent option. The problem with us currently is we are not able to spell him enough during a game to get the best out of him. I also think he along with Sika are great pros fir the younger players to learn from so again 1 more year is not the end of the world. As for Talanoa he suits the style Radford wants to play and again is there anyone out there that would be an improvement for the same money? His ankle injury is unfortunate same as Tuimavave's. we really do need to look at another forward who can break a tackle and pass/off load. For me Bowden has been short of the form of last season. Paea has been hit n miss good in some, average and poor in others. So without Watts we are relying far too much on Taylor. Whether the lad from London will be that player who knows. Think it will be last season for Washy to be honest and can see Abdul being off loaded. Think Ellis has a hard task but sure the club will get it more right than wrong.
I really enjoy long walks especially when they are taken by people I don't like!
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