Next seasons improved squad (just for fun) : Fri Jul 22, 2016 11:59 am  

Dreaming that we win the Cup and at least get past round one in the Play offs I’ve noodled together what I feel is an improved squad. The extra revenue we will have “if” the dream comes true will allow us to fund this - but at the same time the squad will remain very similar to this years. With the exception of Tony Williams none of the new signings are big name overly expensive, so nobodies nose will be out of joint.

None of the players I have put to be released have done much wrong it’s purely a case of freeing up places so we can strengthen where needed. I would be quite happy to see us keep any of them.

Release:

Anderson
Gibson
Hall
Howarth
Walker
Yates
Tansey

BOLD = Academy Product

BOLD ITALIC = New signing


Jowitt (Obvious)
Johnstone (Obvious)
Centre (Needs to be an old style Centre who can release his winger)
Lyne (Seems to be actually reaching his promise, has looked good at centre)
BJB (Defence still a bit dodgy but the lad can score)

Finn (Think he has another year left, not like he’ll get any slower - also for kicking goal kicking)
Miller (Obvious)

Sio (Gets better at LF every week and is still young)
Ashurst (Really rate this lad)
Tony Williams (big investment but huge punch out wide)

Fifita (If he’ll stay)
Moore (Obvious)
England (Obvious)

Pita Godinet - Ultimate versatility player.
[b]Southernwood (love to give a talent a second chance - also home grown)[/b]

Cox (Big, strong and still young)
Simon (Obvious)
Mullaly (Why not, it worked last time and he’s big)
Arona (Versatile)
Hirst (Big and if Kear rates him I’m happy)

Kirmond (Probably his last season but he raises the team IMHO)
Anakin (One more year to do it)
Crowther (Why not, big enough and of course an Academy product)
Molloy (Versatile)
A. Tupou (might get second season syndrome where they play much better, in which case bring it on)

Owen (a proven try scorer but only as cover)
B.Tupou (Big, versatile and starting to find his feet)
Arundal (Same as Lyne but lacks the pace)
Walton (Enthusiastic and can play Centre and S/R)

Bachelor
Moules
Morris

IF I HAVE TO MANY OVERSEAS THEN A.TUPOU TO GO IF WE CAN FIND A WAY.

For me this squad will have the three things we have lacked on occasions this season.

1: Size in the F/R and a real handful in the S/R.
2: Some cover at S/H, S/O and Hooker
3: A centre who can really exploit the pace of both Johnstone, Tupou and BJB all of whom can score from distance.

The only one I can’t pin down at the moment is the creative centre who will have to be British or Non Fed.

Feel free to applaud my brilliance, or create your own.

Re: Next seasons improved squad (just for fun) : Fri Jul 22, 2016 12:28 pm  

I admire your modesty Vasty.
A centre, how about Ryan Atkins?

Re: Next seasons improved squad (just for fun) : Fri Jul 22, 2016 12:33 pm  

Before he signed for Widnes Tom Armstrong would've been a decent auquistion for centre. I'd also try to keep one of Hall or Gibson.

Re: Next seasons improved squad (just for fun) : Fri Jul 22, 2016 12:51 pm  

JINJER wrote:

I admire your modesty Vasty.
A centre, how about Ryan Atkins?

You know me

[PopTart]

Re: Next seasons improved squad (just for fun) : Fri Jul 22, 2016 1:50 pm  

We differ in a few areas but on the whole I agree.

I would keep Gibson. I think he is the natural centre you talk about. As long as he recovers from his injury.
I'd lose Owen

Keeping or replacing Fifita is more important than adding punch to the back row.
Without him the front row doesn't look as big, although they are strong runners.

Annakin is a problem to me. He's only ever going to be a good squad player. If the young lads like Crowther show their promise they will eclipse him shortly. If he's happy to stay with a high squad number then ok.
Hall is similar. I wouldn't be too upset if he went to Toronto but I'd be happy for him to stay, but he isn't first choice.

Re: Next seasons improved squad (just for fun) : Fri Jul 22, 2016 4:09 pm  

Hall confirmed as a Toronto player, with another ex wake player Liam Kaye

Re: Next seasons improved squad (just for fun) : Fri Jul 22, 2016 7:01 pm  

I would pretty much keep the squad we have. The ones I would let go are below and this is just because they not getting game time or think we can improve on.

Tansey
Owen
Howarth
Walton

With Hall going think we need to bring in a a top quality centre and would also look to get some proper FB cover. Also with Anderson and Scruton going these need replacing.

We also need to look at improving on the quality of our back up props in Walker and Yates. I would retain one ond swap the other for a better player.

The main thing for me is an extra half back. Maybe even bringing in 2, an experienced one to take over from Finn and a younger who can learn from the experienced ones

Re: Next seasons improved squad (just for fun) : Fri Jul 22, 2016 7:26 pm  

Yes I'd I agree with Vasty about who to release but I'd keep Gibson. With Hall and Scruton defo going and maybe Anderson, that will release a fair bit of money, so hopefully we can improve in the areas we need. One thing we need to do if we want to improve and be fighting out for the Top 8 again next year, is continually improve the overall quality of squad. By the looks I'd guess about 8 will leave and for me we'd be better off bringing in 3 quality players in at Prop, Centre and a Half and a couple of more good squad players. Also make sure we get a deal with Fifita sorted.

Re: Next seasons improved squad (just for fun) : Fri Jul 22, 2016 8:25 pm  

Isn't it just typical Wakefield though that, having had our best season for years there looks like being substantial changes in playing personnel!
That said, I appreciate most of the players pencilled in by Vastman are probably not in the first 17 so there is scope for movement I suppose.

Re: Next seasons improved squad (just for fun) : Fri Jul 22, 2016 8:37 pm  

I doubt they will be substantial changes. Just some of the guys we've hardly seen this season. I think as long as we keep our strongest 17 in tact we'll be alright. Alright we know we're losing Scruton and Hall so far but personally I think we just need to cover those loses & add a few pieces of quality to keep improving. No doubt the likes of Leeds and Hudds will be stronger next year so imo it's imperative for us to continue to improve our squad.