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#240 Reply
Posted by
KentQuin
on 31 Mar, 2022 09:15
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Agree QC. The club are taking the right approach by investing in an already successful squad and promoting from within. We're now in a really good place and for the next few seasons transfer business should reflect evolution rather than revolution.
There are no obvious needs for next season. I would've said loosehead, but SGB has re-signed and they seem to be keen for Kerrod to be comfortable switching sides.
An extra back rower would be good, but might be a luxury we can't afford.
DC's long term replacement is the big question mark. But can't see us bringing them in until he hangs up his boots, which I guess they'll be planning for next summer
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#241 Reply
Posted by
poorfour
on 31 Mar, 2022 09:53
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Laurie said last night that they had negotiated to re-sign 18 players and only lost 1 (Tiz, presumably), which he regarded as a good achievement.
I am guessing we won't see any new signings unless they've held one in reserve to launch the STH renewal season... but given the squad we have, the talent we are seeing coming through and the limited number of players we are losing I think we can be pretty happy.
The most obvious gap we have is Lasike leaving which means that there's no direct backup to Andre, but the assumption has to be that Anyanwu will come through next season (and Northmore can do a job there even if it's no longer his best position). Even traditionally weak positions like lock are looking pretty strong, especially if Hammond, Jurevicius and CSW continue to develop.
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#242 Reply
Posted by
A222Quin
on 31 Mar, 2022 09:57
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A lot of the clubs that are making signings are also losing players so the big names are replacements. E.g. the fly half merry go round. Pollard is going to Tigers, Ford is going to Sale (who are likely losing a few Saffers), Mc Ginty is going to Bristol and Sheedy will most likely end up in Wales soon.
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#243 Reply
Posted by
Archquin
on 31 Mar, 2022 10:05
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what about Huw Jones - will he stay ?
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Agree QC. The club are taking the right approach by investing in an already successful squad and promoting from within. We're now in a really good place and for the next few seasons transfer business should reflect evolution rather than revolution.
There are no obvious needs for next season. I would've said loosehead, but SGB has re-signed and they seem to be keen for Kerrod to be comfortable switching sides.
An extra back rower would be good, but might be a luxury we can't afford.
DC's long term replacement is the big question mark. But can't see us bringing them in until he hangs up his boots, which I guess they'll be planning for next summer
I agree. I think we will gain so much more from continuity than change for change’s sake.
Finding DC’s replacement has to be the top priority. If it’s a choice between signing no-one this window and bringing in a top 9 for the 23/24 season, I’d far rather the latter.
I’m sure we do need an extra back rower though TBH. One real positive this season has been Jurevicius starting to break through and Archie White proving he can cut it at this level. I’m worried about James Chisholm’s continued absences, but with Hammond stepping up and CSW potentially coming in to the mix, we may see more of Lewies at 6.
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I imagine if we lose Jones we can sign another centre, but for what it’s worth of his recent form I’d keep for another year.
As mentioned, SH is the biggest weakness. It’s safe to say that Steele isn’t the answer, Stafford hasn’t really shown enough to suggest he is going to be any better than Lewis. For me, Lewis is above Scott as the stand in.
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#246 Reply
Posted by
Quinky
on 31 Mar, 2022 11:10
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It may not be a po;pular opinion, but I think Steele and Gjaltema are a good pairing for post DC. They may not be tearing it up at the moment, but Steele has just returned from injury, and both have been stuck behind DC with no regular game time. Gjaltema in particular seems highly regarded by NEV and he seems to know what he's talking about. It's hard to show brilliance when you get an occasional 10 minutes off the bench at the end of a game.
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It's the same issure as we had for years with a backup/replacement for NEv and more recently Brownie. Both of them were so dominant/reliable that assuming they were fit, they were automatic starters and their replacements never got more than an occasional startin in PremCup games. It took NEv retiring & Dmitri's freak accident to allow Marcus to emerge and Brownie's red card to allow Tyrone to show us what he could do.
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#248 Reply
Posted by
honkytonk
on 31 Mar, 2022 13:39
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We have been linked with players in the past few months or so
Lewis Boyce coming back
The Leinster LH Peter Dooley
SA back row Tshituka from the Lions.
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With the reduced salary cap and numerous centre prospects looking ready to step up (Anyanwu, Hyde and Beard), I’d be surprised if Jones stays for another season.
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Might not be popular but im not sure beard will ever make it at this level. Very handy player but hes not fast enough to be a starting winger and i dint think hes up to it at 13,especislly with marchant and northmore. Cleaves looks the real deal on the wing though
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I think that is pretty ignorant talk about Beard. He is a big unit at 13, tall and rangy. He has performed well when given a chance.
Agreed Cleaves looks a great prospect, but needs to prove it when he gets his own opportunities.
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#252 Reply
Posted by
JammyGit
on 31 Mar, 2022 17:56
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Might not be popular but im not sure beard will ever make it at this level. Very handy player but hes not fast enough to be a starting winger and i dint think hes up to it at 13,especislly with marchant and northmore. Cleaves looks the real deal on the wing though
Incredibly premature. He's 20 years old.
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He looks far too small for 13, hes far from a big unit. He lacks the size and pace even if a player like northmore without his x factor
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Agree he's far from a big unit but I don't think his size is an issue as he's not what could be described as small, plus we've seen on several occasions he's more powerful than his size suggests. And he may not be proper winger quick but he's easily quick enough for 13 and also has great feet. I think he'll get a lot of games at Quins providing he stays at the club.
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