Re: Half Back problem. : Tue Oct 11, 2022 3:53 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

So assuming we sign Drinkwater the squad for next season is looking something like:-

1. Dufty
2. Ashton
3. Ma'atutia
4. Ratchford
5. Thewlis
6. Williams
7. Drinkwater
8. Vaughan
9. Clark
10. Dudson
11. Currie
12. Nicholson
13. McGuire

Walker
Kasiano
Mikaele
Harrison
Bullock
Philbin
Wrench
Minikin

Sort of the opposite of last season - the forwards look good but are we a little weak in the backs? Or a lot weaker? I hope Dufty turns out to be the spark we’ve been looking for. Behind a winning pack he should look better. And with Powell’s attacking structures (we’ve not seen them yet really) it doesn’t matter too much about raw talent along the three quarters as long as we have pace. Maybe Gildart will slot in there, despite the rumour of him signing up long term at the Dolphins.

Re: Half Back problem. : Tue Oct 11, 2022 3:58 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

So assuming we sign Drinkwater the squad for next season is looking something like:-

1. Dufty
2. Ashton
3. Ma'atutia
4. Ratchford
5. Thewlis
6. Williams
7. Drinkwater
8. Vaughan
9. Clark
10. Dudson
11. Currie
12. Nicholson
13. McGuire

Walker
Kasiano
Mikaele
Harrison
Bullock
Philbin
Wrench
Minikin

Looks good on paper for a change.

Re: Half Back problem. : Tue Oct 11, 2022 4:05 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

So assuming we sign Drinkwater the squad for next season is looking something like:-

1. Dufty
2. Ashton
3. Ma'atutia
4. Ratchford
5. Thewlis
6. Williams
7. Drinkwater
8. Vaughan
9. Clark
10. Dudson
11. Currie
12. Nicholson
13. McGuire

Walker
Kasiano
Mikaele
Harrison
Bullock
Philbin
Wrench
Minikin

I think it’s clear that another back is essential. Ratchford at centre isn’t a good place to start, but competition for places and/or cover for injury is limited only to Minikin for a significant portion of the season. I’d prefer to start Dean and invest in a centre than get Drinkwater.

Re: Half Back problem. : Tue Oct 11, 2022 4:13 pm  

Barbed Wire wrote:

I think it’s clear that another back is essential. Ratchford at centre isn’t a good place to start, but competition for places and/or cover for injury is limited only to Minikin for a significant portion of the season. I’d prefer to start Dean and invest in a centre than get Drinkwater.

It`s looking like we will sign both a centre and a halfback for 2023.

Releasing Holmes and possibly A.N. Other will allow us to do that.

With the meagre salary that he will be on, I can`t see how it would affect our Salary Cap that much, and I would like to retain Longstaff.

Re: Half Back problem. : Tue Oct 11, 2022 4:51 pm  

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/brandon-wakeham-super-league-fiji-25234955 Were we supposed to be after him?

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/brandon-wakeham-super-league-fiji-25234955 Were we supposed to be after him?

Re: Half Back problem. : Tue Oct 11, 2022 5:31 pm  

Yes, we were linked with him part the way through last season.

Re: Half Back problem. : Tue Oct 11, 2022 6:37 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

So assuming we sign Drinkwater the squad for next season is looking something like:-

1. Dufty
2. Ashton
3. Ma'atutia
4. Ratchford
5. Thewlis
6. Williams
7. Drinkwater
8. Vaughan
9. Clark
10. Dudson
11. Currie
12. Nicholson
13. McGuire

Walker
Kasiano
Mikaele
Harrison
Bullock
Philbin
Wrench
Minikin

Weak in the centres. Which is not surprising when you let 2 go and don't currently have any replacements.

Re: Half Back problem. : Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:18 pm  

Wakeham didn’t really get a chance to show what he can do last weekend. The whole team was bullied from start to finish. The little bit I’ve seen of him on the NRL highlights suggests defence is decent enough, and short kicking game looks okay. I think we need a controlling half with a long kicking game, and I’m not sure Wakeham will be that.

Re: Half Back problem. : Tue Oct 11, 2022 9:02 pm  

I really don't think Wakeham is the answer.....or Drinkwater.

Play the youngsters and let the England captain (ahem!) Williams run the team.

Spend money on a centre instead

Re: Half Back problem. : Wed Oct 12, 2022 7:31 am  

Drinkwater is at risk of being the scapegoat before he even puts pen to paper. It’s a cauldron at the moment, from last years performance, two promising halves waiting in the wings and an expensive and decorated pack to provide a platform to a halfback to do “something”.

If he comes in and doesn’t hit the ground running, the fans will be on his back no doubt. He’d be mad to come here, in my opinion, unless the money makes it worthwhile.