Re: Squad Numbers Released : Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:11 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

Labrokes judt releases their odds and he’s 33/1!

I’m definitely sticking a tenner on at that price.

I cant access my Paddy Power account at work but will definitely be placing a few quid on Farrell and ST.

Re: Squad Numbers Released : Fri Jan 19, 2018 10:40 am  

Lots of things to look forward to:

Almost fully fit squad.
Full pre season for ST, Farrell, Budgie, Gildart.

Really looking forward to seeing Sam Powell at 7 with Williams. I like Powell, think he received a lot of needless flack. Tommy at 9 should be an improvement too.

Love the fact that we’ve been completely written off on the VT forum (bottom 4 from quite a few). Yet Saints tipped for the top.

Despite our poor form last season I thought we were a better team than Saints over the course of the full season, even though we had the injury situation.

Are they really THAT much better than us? I don’t think so.

Re: Squad Numbers Released : Fri Jan 19, 2018 1:07 pm  

MattyB wrote:

Are they really THAT much better than us? I don’t think so.

It's not even that they're THAT much better than us. I just don't think they are better than us.

Re: Squad Numbers Released : Fri Jan 19, 2018 1:09 pm  

Are we expecting Tommy to do 80 minutes? He did it last year albeit at 7. It could be a smart move allowing us to go bigger on the bench and when we went with Powell at 9 in 2016 we won the GF

Re: Squad Numbers Released : Fri Jan 19, 2018 1:16 pm  

secondstanza wrote:

Are we expecting Tommy to do 80 minutes? He did it last year albeit at 7. It could be a smart move allowing us to go bigger on the bench and when we went with Powell at 9 in 2016 we won the GF

Not sure what the plan is.

I was under the impression that an option was to have Escaré on the bench.

Then we can bring off Tommy, Powell goes to hooker and then Sam/Escaré at fullback/half back.

Re: Squad Numbers Released : Fri Jan 19, 2018 1:40 pm  

JWarriors wrote:

Not sure what the plan is.

I was under the impression that an option was to have Escaré on the bench.

Then we can bring off Tommy, Powell goes to hooker and then Sam/Escaré at fullback/half back.

I think this will be the play. Having Escare on the bench allows for different options. Plus he'll be good cover for any injuries to the backs. Can easily play wing/FB, even if a centre is injured we can move Burgess to the centres and Escape to the wing. If we lose a halfback, Sam to 6/7 Escare to 1.

Re: Squad Numbers Released : Fri Jan 19, 2018 3:04 pm  

I thought I was on the wrong forum for a minute. Good to see some positivity on here and quite right too! A bit more luck on the injury front and we’ll make top 4 for sure then it’s anybody’s!

[DaveO]

Re: Squad Numbers Released : Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:42 pm  

JWarriors wrote:

Not sure what the plan is.

I was under the impression that an option was to have Escaré on the bench.

Then we can bring off Tommy, Powell goes to hooker and then Sam/Escaré at fullback/half back.

NO! Completely change your half backs just to sub a hooker? And presumably do it twice per game at least. Madness! (I am sure someone somewhere has said the same already).

Re: Squad Numbers Released : Fri Jan 19, 2018 5:05 pm  

MattyB wrote:

Lots of things to look forward to:

Almost fully fit squad.
Full pre season for ST, Farrell, Budgie, Gildart.

Really looking forward to seeing Sam Powell at 7 with Williams. I like Powell, think he received a lot of needless flack. Tommy at 9 should be an improvement too.

Love the fact that we’ve been completely written off on the VT forum (bottom 4 from quite a few). Yet Saints tipped for the top.

Despite our poor form last season I thought we were a better team than Saints over the course of the full season, even though we had the injury situation.

Are they really THAT much better than us? I don’t think so.

We’ve been written of everywhere with a season preview by Gary Schofield, Phil Caplin and Richard Shaw-Wright on Talk sport being particularly disrespectful.

St Helens will go well this year with their new coach but I’d agree that they aren’t better then us at all ‘if’ we can get some energy and confidence about the place. There is a huge realiance on Ben Barba to produce some magic in what looks an otherwise ‘reasonable’ back line and they’re still lacking in the back row. I think Holbrook looks a good coach and will probably manage to paper over some cracks in what’s not a hugely strong comp.

Re: Squad Numbers Released : Fri Jan 19, 2018 5:57 pm  

ST, GW, Powell & TL will all do the full 80 for at least 70% of the season, or at least that seems the general consensus...Morgan when he features will provide complete rest for one of 1, 6 or 7. I don't see him featuring on the bench much.

I would also add that the mood around the club is great and we certainly have zero need to feel inferior to any other squad in Super League