Mrs Barista wrote:Not long. Maybe until the predicted placings thread.
Why? Because you already know you’ll be making excuses up for a bad season before a meaningful game is even played? Don’t worry, I get it, you’ll get no response from me.
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29793 Location: West Yorkshire
MorningGlory23 wrote:Why? Because you already know you’ll be making excuses up for a bad season before a meaningful game is even played? Don’t worry, I get it, you’ll get no response from me.
Rather you'll be contradicting yourself saying Radford is beyond useless but still expecting a top 4 finish so you can spend all season moaning about it.
Joined: Mar 14 2003 Posts: 25737 Location: Back in Hull.
Really tough to pick a 17, which can only be a good thing.
Everyone fit and the game tomorrow I'd go with,
Shaul Swift Connor Carlos Fonua Kelly Sneyd Taylor Houghton Bowden Jones Ma'u Sao
Griffin Johnston Satae Masi/Brown/Ellis/Fash
Need to spell Houghton, could even see him given a spell at LF, but we need some zip at hooker during the game, honestly think this is in Radfords plans otherwise I'd doubt Johnson would have come.
Very big season for Shaul, who should get 20 trys backing up the forwards and has Wynne breathing down his neck and Bowden, who must find his 2016/17 form.
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29793 Location: West Yorkshire
Dave K. wrote:Really tough to pick a 17, which can only be a good thing.
Everyone fit and the game tomorrow I'd go with,
Shaul Swift Connor Carlos Fonua Kelly Sneyd Taylor Houghton Bowden Jones Ma'u Sao
Griffin Johnston Satae Masi/Brown/Ellis/Fash
Need to spell Houghton, could even see him given a spell at LF, but we need some zip at hooker during the game, honestly think this is in Radfords plans otherwise I'd doubt Johnson would have come.
Very big season for Shaul, who should get 20 trys backing up the forwards and has Wynne breathing down his neck and Bowden, who must find his 2016/17 form.
I think the squad looks OK, particularly in the back row and at centre. But prop is still a big concern for me. If Bowden doesn't step it up we only have Taylor yet again as a genuine quality front rower with Satae a decent option off the bench. Against the front row options of Saints and Wire it's not enough IMO. We need to be looking forward to rotations coming on, not dreading Taylor going off.
Joined: Mar 14 2003 Posts: 25737 Location: Back in Hull.
Mrs Barista wrote:I think the squad looks OK, particularly in the back row and at centre. But prop is still a big concern for me. If Bowden doesn't step it up we only have Taylor yet again as a genuine quality front rower with Satae a decent option off the bench. Against the front row options of Saints and Wire it's not enough IMO. We need to be looking forward to rotations coming on, not dreading Taylor going off.
If that's the case I'd move Sao to prop and play maybe Savlio at LF (Forgot about him in my first pick) I'd prefer him out wide, but with Ma'u, Jones, Griffin and Lane, we have some real quality out wide.
Personally think we have the squad to challenge,Wigan, Saints and Warrington, so a top 4 finish is a must next season and be competitive in every game.
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29793 Location: West Yorkshire
Dave K. wrote:If that's the case I'd move Sao to prop and play maybe Savlio at LF (Forgot about him in my first pick) I'd prefer him out wide, but with Ma'u, Jones, Griffin and Lane, we have some real quality out wide.
Personally think we have the squad to challenge,Wigan, Saints and Warrington, so a top 4 finish is a must next season and be competitive in every game.
Totally agree on the back row, but still think our props lack the punch to make the yardage and space for us to challenge. I think top 3 will be Saints, Warrington and Wigan who will be transformed with Hastings. After that I'd hope to be in the pack with Catalans, Castleford and I expect Wakefield to be much improved after their disastrous injuries this season. Interested to see what goes on at Leeds, not up to date with their squad, and obviously the revolution over the river is a big threat. .
Mrs Barista wrote:Totally agree on the back row, but still think our props lack the punch to make the yardage and space for us to challenge. I think top 3 will be Saints, Warrington and Wigan who will be transformed with Hastings. After that I'd hope to be in the pack with Catalans, Castleford and I expect Wakefield to be much improved after their disastrous injuries this season. Interested to see what goes on at Leeds, not up to date with their squad, and obviously the revolution over the river is a big threat. .
I think its fair to say that if we don't make top 4 with the squad we have assembled then the league campaign will be deemed a failure.
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29793 Location: West Yorkshire
oooh Gravy! wrote:I think its fair to say that if we don't make top 4 with the squad we have assembled then the league campaign will be deemed a failure.
Top 3 are nailed on IMO. I don't see we're entitled to the last spot at all with our limited front row options.
Mrs Barista wrote:Top 3 are nailed on IMO. I don't see we're entitled to the last spot at all with our limited front row options.
No team is entitled to finishing in the top 4 but I'm not alone in thinking that we should be making top 4 with this team. Saints aside, I don't think we are any more limited in the front row than Wigan, Warrington or anyone else; Taylor, Bowden, Setae, Sao, Ellis, Masi...
I don't think you can name four clubs that have better squads than us. Coaching however is a different debate.
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29793 Location: West Yorkshire
oooh Gravy! wrote:No team is entitled to finishing in the top 4 but I'm not alone in thinking that we should be making top 4 with this team. Saints aside, I don't think we are any more limited in the front row than Wigan, Warrington or anyone else; Taylor, Bowden, Setae, Sao, Ellis, Masi...
I don't think you can name four clubs that have better squads than us. Coaching however is a different debate.
As said, we have Taylor who must be at risk of burn out - we know he has played though injuries. Bowden still short of form for me. Satae is a good prospect off the bench but I don't feel we can roll other packs. Our middles have been exposed this year and we haven't strengthened if you think Paea was our best prop for much of this year. Kelly's fitness is another key concern. We know Connor at 6 with Sneyd isn't an amazing option. I would be delighted if your expectations were realised, of course.
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