Re: squad almost complete . M C : Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:20 pm  

I think that there appears to be a dearth of "good" centres these days partly because it isn't quite the specialist position that it was in times past. Nowadays you are as likely to see a centre also playing second row and vice versa, or a scrum half/stand off also playing hooker. Similarly a prop and second rower being interchangeable. In times of need clubs tend to stick anyone on the wing or at fullback. It would seem that the old specialist positions are now loosely broken down into just forwards and backs. Can you imagine an injured Harold Poynton being substituted by Geoff Oakes, or Neil Fox being replaced by Don Vines?? I think not!

Re: squad almost complete . M C : Mon Nov 23, 2015 9:36 pm  

Players like Ellery Hanley broke the mould years ago possibly not just recently....

Re: squad almost complete . M C : Tue Nov 24, 2015 12:31 am  

asmadasa wrote:

Players like Ellery Hanley broke the mould years ago possibly not just recently....

Super League to me is a completely different game to the Rugby League of old. most positions pre Super league were more specialised and you had players played the same position for the majority of their career's. Later on they may have changed to another position due to getting older,e.g. lack of pace, putting on a few pounds so moving from the back's to the forward's etc.etc. but experience of the game and number of years played made up for the gradual physical decline of sportsmen.a lot of players saw the biggest improvement in their game towards the end of their career as long as they stayed free from serious injury. to me the game today is run more for TV, its still a great sport to watch,one of the best spectator sports but it is a faster game all round and when you look at what turn of speed some of the forwards have, they would have been on a par with backs from the pre 90's. Scrums are not contested as they used to be also, so forwards are now not as specialised in their trade. same can be said for backs,today's players can probably move around positions in the team and make a good job of wherever they play. with the excellent coach i think Wakefield have [who will bring the best out of the players signed up] we have a very competitive team for the coming Super League season.

Re: squad almost complete . M C : Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:30 am  

vastman wrote:

I’m honestly not trying to pick fault with all you say - but - let me get this straight. Your not impressed with Gibson at centre despite him being a very experienced centre - yet you’re pinning your hopes on a possibly rejuvinated winger who’s played a handful of games at centre doing a better job. Sorry but your logic baffles me.

Keith Lulia 28 top quality centre who tore us to shreds numerous times for Bradford tricky as they come. Cook island international played NRL first grade is without a club. What are you talking about ask any Bradford fan they liked him, he is far and away the best we would have. Even.Pommeroy tbf but not sure if he's crocked

Re: squad almost complete . M C : Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:44 am  

Keith Lulia got discussed a month or so ago. Great player in his day but think he broke his neck last season in NRL and although not career ending he has not made a professional appearance since....

Re: squad almost complete . M C : Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:09 am  

FLAT STANLEY wrote:

Speaking as a Salford fan, Gibson's finishing is brilliant but his one on one defence is woeful, i sincerely hope he plays centre against us next season Sau and Carney will have a field day. Sorry

That may or may not be the case and TBF is just your opinion - however that's not the point. The point is and in a way you've just made it for me is that there is a lack of good centres about. In which case for the money and choice available to us he's a decent signing and is without doubt the most experienced player we have in that position.

One things for sure, he can’t be anywhere near as bad as what we had last year - also Smith may not be the God like coach some imagine but he will know Gibsons limitations and will work on them both as a player and in the way the team defends in general.

I’d also contain your excitement regarding Carney, many a fan seems to wet themselves over this bloke even a few on here. Yet apart from last seasons debacle in our home game against Cas Carney when playing ourselves spent most of his time in touch courtesy of such giants as Owen and Fox.

Re: squad almost complete . M C : Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:16 am  

newgroundb4cas wrote:

Keith Lulia 28 top quality centre who tore us to shreds numerous times for Bradford tricky as they come. Cook island international played NRL first grade is without a club. What are you talking about ask any Bradford fan they liked him, he is far and away the best we would have. Even.Pommeroy tbf but not sure if he's crocked

That may well be the case but you are as ever missing the point.

Is he available? If he is and he’s that good why isn’t he at a top SL club? Odd when there are so few good centres about.

You seem to think the grass is always greener elsewhere, however it’s the team that matters not individuals in which case Gibson is a small part of that and Smith clearly feels he is capable of playing that small part. Just like every other player in SL Gibson will look good in a team that is well drilled and well motivated and hopefully that’s what we will get.

Finally why do you put so much credence into what Cas and Bradford fans say and so little in what a world class coach thinks - odd, really odd.

Re: squad almost complete . M C : Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:32 am  

he is available but hes a gamble after his shocking injury. We have every right to be sceptical judging the state we have been in. I have the feeling Smith can get the added extra out of most players. I would hate to see the Lynn and Tansey combination like we saw in the playoffs dear me that was herrendous it was like the chuckle brothers.

Re: squad almost complete . M C : Tue Nov 24, 2015 11:05 am  

newgroundb4cas wrote:

he is available but hes a gamble after his shocking injury. We have every right to be sceptical judging the state we have been in. I have the feeling Smith can get the added extra out of most players. I would hate to see the Lynn and Tansey combination like we saw in the playoffs dear me that was herrendous it was like the chuckle brothers.

Wait, after bigging up Lulia, you're now backtracking and saying we shouldn't sign him?

Re: squad almost complete . M C : Tue Nov 24, 2015 11:55 am  

Jamal Idris is heading to a SL club?