Who needs to leave? : Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:16 pm  

So, no new signings are on the cards. We look to have a big squad for next year. I cannot remember when we last had so many genuine contenders for game time as opposed to young lads with an honourific shirt number. Some of the support players from this year will be challenged by others coming through. How many back up hookers/halfbacks will we have? It looks like being a year where we have to pick those who are going to make the grade. Some players will have to move on for regular games. The club look to be letting them fight it out amongst themselves.

Re: Who needs to leave? : Tue Aug 26, 2014 10:47 pm  

I think he'll be a popular answer but I say save Gil Dudson.

Another one who'll probably struggle is Jack Hughes. He's had a long time but hasn't forced his way into the team and he'll be caught between the older players who are better and the younger ones with more potential.

Also Jordan James.

Re: Who needs to leave? : Wed Aug 27, 2014 8:05 am  

I think we have had quantity over quality in certain positions over the last few years. We were massively oversubscribed with props at the beginning of this year whilst we were lacking strength in depth at second row. Joel coming back has obviously helped that.

I think we could comfortably lose Dudson, James, Hughes, Logan Tomkins and Burke from the current squad.

Re: Who needs to leave? : Wed Aug 27, 2014 8:17 am  

WARRIORCRAIG wrote:

I think we have had quantity over quality in certain positions over the last few years. We were massively oversubscribed with props at the beginning of this year whilst we were lacking strength in depth at second row. Joel coming back has obviously helped that.

I think we could comfortably lose Dudson, James, Hughes, Logan Tomkins and Burke from the current squad.

If we lose both Hughes and Burke, who comes into the back row when Lockers inevitably gets injured at some point or Bateman needs a rest? Not convinced Pettybourne or Tauti are mobile enough to defend there and it's very early days for C.Farrell. Flower is an option I suppose but we would still lack depth there. I'd like us to bring in a good young backrower and let Hughes go, persevere with Burke at least another season

Re: Who needs to leave? : Wed Aug 27, 2014 8:37 am  

If Dudson and Hughes do stay another year, it really has to be the last chance saloon.

Re: Who needs to leave? : Wed Aug 27, 2014 8:40 am  

Grimmy wrote:

If we lose both Hughes and Burke, who comes into the back row when Lockers inevitably gets injured at some point or Bateman needs a rest? Not convinced Pettybourne or Tauti are mobile enough to defend there and it's very early days for C.Farrell. Flower is an option I suppose but we would still lack depth there. I'd like us to bring in a good young backrower and let Hughes go, persevere with Burke at least another season

I agree losing Hughes and Burke in one season could leave us a bit light if injuries hit. But we have 4 international backrowers who are all capable of playing long minutes if needed, plus the likes of Connor Farrell and Rob Lever are there as back up. Hughes, in particular, has had plenty of opportunities in the first team and I don't see the benefit of keeping a player at his age with the number of games he's got under his belt if he's not going to play every week. He'd be better off moving to a lower SL club IMO. I don't think Pettybourne or Tautai are second rowers either. Clubb and Flower are both capable of covering 13 if Lockers is injured, or Bateman or Tomkins could go there.

Anyone know what the deal is with Rhodri Lloyd? He was looking a certain first teamer a couple of seasons ago, then hardly featured last year and doesn't seem to be getting a game for Widnes now either. Not another case of experimenting with a move to centre hindering his progress, a bit like what we've seen with Hughes?

Re: Who needs to leave? : Wed Aug 27, 2014 9:41 am  

WARRIORCRAIG wrote:

I agree losing Hughes and Burke in one season could leave us a bit light if injuries hit. But we have 4 international backrowers who are all capable of playing long minutes if needed, plus the likes of Connor Farrell and Rob Lever are there as back up. Hughes, in particular, has had plenty of opportunities in the first team and I don't see the benefit of keeping a player at his age with the number of games he's got under his belt if he's not going to play every week. He'd be better off moving to a lower SL club IMO. I don't think Pettybourne or Tautai are second rowers either. Clubb and Flower are both capable of covering 13 if Lockers is injured, or Bateman or Tomkins could go there.

Anyone know what the deal is with Rhodri Lloyd? He was looking a certain first teamer a couple of seasons ago, then hardly featured last year and doesn't seem to be getting a game for Widnes now either. Not another case of experimenting with a move to centre hindering his progress, a bit like what we've seen with Hughes?

He picked up a bad injury at Widnes, I think it's season ending. It'll be interesting to see if Wigan retain him as I believe he's out of contract this year. It'll be a shame if we do because he looked a very good prospect. Again a lot of this is to do with the stupid U19's situation.
Anyone with any sense knows it should be U15, U16, U18 and then U21's (or 23's) instead of the U15/U16 combined and U19.

Re: Who needs to leave? : Wed Aug 27, 2014 12:02 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

He picked up a bad injury at Widnes, I think it's season ending. It'll be interesting to see if Wigan retain him as I believe he's out of contract this year. It'll be a shame if we do because he looked a very good prospect. Again a lot of this is to do with the stupid U19's situation.
Anyone with any sense knows it should be U15, U16, U18 and then U21's (or 23's) instead of the U15/U16 combined and U19.

I agree, and I think the clubs do have the option to revert back to u23s from next season. It was a ridiculous penny pinching exercise to move to the current system. All 24 of the clubs competing in the 2 pro/semi pro leagues from next season should be expected to field academy teams at each age group.

Re: Who needs to leave? : Wed Aug 27, 2014 12:11 pm  

There's something about Jack Hughes that makes me want to keep him but I don't know what it is. I think he could go on to be a good player for us but still may need a year or so. I'd rather keep him than Pettybourne anyway.

Players who should leave IMO:

- Logan Tomkins (but he won't)
- Eddy Pettybourne (Offers next to nothing in attack and a liability in defence)
- Gil Dudson (See Eddy + penalty machine and Sutton, Greenwood, Crosby better options )
- Jack Murphy (not fair to keep stringing him along)
- Greg Burke (On Loan - make or break season after injury ridden 2014)

I expect Nick Gregson, Oli Gildart and Rob Lever to feature in some first team games next season

Re: Who needs to leave? : Wed Aug 27, 2014 12:56 pm  

If Jack Hughes is at the club next season then i will consider not renewing my season ticket. Absolutely shocking player.