Uncle Rico wrote:
Chaz, when you say that Sims and Clark "must be significant upgrades on what we had last season", do you mean in salary terms or playing ability? I wouldn't have thought there would be much difference in cash and whilst I'm really looking forward to seeing these new lads play. Clark particularly has big boots to fill as for me Monaghan had a final fling of great form and will we have to adapt to a slightly different style of play.
We do look to have strength in depth that may help us to overcome injuries and a lack of form and I'm optimistic about our chances. Even most of the 'experts' on VT seem to agree we are a top 3/4 side I've not seen much negativity at all NTW
No, I genuinely feel that Simms and Clark are upgrades;
Monas and Clark
The only real direct replacement where you can compare two players. Mona's was my favourite player over the last few years. He seemed to have it all - fantastic temperament, outstanding defence, great vision and sniping breaks. But he was fading fast (for me anyway), playing in bursts, and whilst his experience still allowed him to make breaks and score close range tries, he was not the player of a few years back. Clark doesn't have the same defensive qualities, but when you watch him you can see a huge difference in dynamism. He will tear defences to shreds next year and should allow us to exploit the likes of Myler and Currie when backing him up. I think he is a very clever buy, not just for his individual talent, but for how he will get more out of the rest of our players.
House and Simms
Perhaps this comparison is a little less controversial. House has been a solid player for us, he caused panic on the left flank when we played Leeds in the CC final which for me was his best game for us. In defence he is great, wrapping up the player and ball and halting the big men, but he never gave us much go-forward. Simms is the opposite, more importantly he will provide more balance for the team where Hill is too often the only prop making good yardage. Add to that a fair bit of mongrel and aggressive defence and I think he is another inspired buy.
