21 replies to this topic

[Furryenzo]

After a full season in the championship im sure weve all got an opinion on who should stay and who should go. If i had my way this would happen...

Stay:

Darren Hawkyard (probably our best forward all year)
Ian Mort (kicking game is priceless, always gives his all)
Ritchie Hawkyard (been excellent all year)
Ian Watson (I think hes still got one more season in him, even if he does the 'paul scholes' role and comes off the bench to steady the ship)
Chaz I'Anson (Tackles WELL above his weight, can only see him improving for us)
Martin Ainscough (already signed, got better and better as seasons progressed)
Adam Walker (if poss on dual reg)
Glen Riley (ditto)
Carl Forster (ditto)
Tom Armstrong (made a few glaring errors in defence this year but clearly has bags of potential and has had more good games than bad)
Adam Higson (if hes not signed for leigh already, been a menace)
Kevin Penny (another menace, since the whole union bit was sorted has gone from strength to strength)
Mark Smith (can play for us as long as he wants to as far as im concerned, awesome)
Karl Ashall (still got a massive future)

Out:

Gavin Dodd (as much as I like the guy, he is just to erratic and unpredictable and this year has probably cost us as many tries as hes scored)
Alex Hurst (again, great lad, has got potential but I just think personally we could sign someone better)
Rob Foxen (unless a change of role to an impact second rower, hes just not got the positional sense to play on the wing in this devision)
David Mills (has played well in about 20% of the games hes played. This isnt good enough in my book)
Danny Meekin (hasnt done anything to impress me, perhaps time to give someone else a chance)
Neil Holland (for me hasnt got the intensity to play in this league)
Sam Reay (iv always liked sam, always gives 110% but dont think hes big enough for this league)

[mark richardson]

I think Holland and meekin both have potential.
Think Watson should call it a day whilst we all still like him he's been a tremendous player and I'm a big believer in quitting while youre still a winner.
The rest I think you've got pretty much right.
I doubt we will get the same three dual reg players and those type of signings need to be made much earlier than previously .

[bigtony]

After a full season in the championship im sure weve all got an opinion on who should stay and who should go. If i had my way this would happen...

Stay:

Darren Hawkyard (probably our best forward all year)
Ian Mort (kicking game is priceless, always gives his all)
Ritchie Hawkyard (been excellent all year)
Ian Watson (I think hes still got one more season in him, even if he does the 'paul scholes' role and comes off the bench to steady the ship)
Chaz I'Anson (Tackles WELL above his weight, can only see him improving for us)
Martin Ainscough (already signed, got better and better as seasons progressed)
Adam Walker (if poss on dual reg)
Glen Riley (ditto)
Carl Forster (ditto)
Tom Armstrong (made a few glaring errors in defence this year but clearly has bags of potential and has had more good games than bad)
Adam Higson (if hes not signed for leigh already, been a menace)
Kevin Penny (another menace, since the whole union bit was sorted has gone from strength to strength)
Mark Smith (can play for us as long as he wants to as far as im concerned, awesome)
Karl Ashall (still got a massive future)

Out:

Gavin Dodd (as much as I like the guy, he is just to erratic and unpredictable and this year has probably cost us as many tries as hes scored)
Alex Hurst (again, great lad, has got potential but I just think personally we could sign someone better)
Rob Foxen (unless a change of role to an impact second rower, hes just not got the positional sense to play on the wing in this devision)
David Mills (has played well in about 20% of the games hes played. This isnt good enough in my book)
Danny Meekin (hasnt done anything to impress me, perhaps time to give someone else a chance)
Neil Holland (for me hasnt got the intensity to play in this league)
Sam Reay (iv always liked sam, always gives 110% but dont think hes big enough for this league)

Think thats very harsh on both meekin and holland, these 2 in my opinion have beenthe most affected by the d/r system.I know for a fact mcCormack told meekin after about 10/11 games he had been his best forward and then proceeded to leave him out for 9 wks and then it was a case of play a game or 2 and then miss another couple.As for holland i dont think hes been given a chance at all, these players would bleed for swinton unlike d/r players who only use champ clubs as a stepping stone.Players can't just switch it on at this level, wot people dont realise is how much all this can affect a players confidence, they turn up wk in wk out for training (turn down work in some cases) only to be told joe bloggs from super dooper league is taking your place and finally meekin may not be 1of your star players but watch him as closely as i do and you will see how much graft he gets threw.

[bigtony]

After a full season in the championship im sure weve all got an opinion on who should stay and who should go. If i had my way this would happen...

Stay:

Darren Hawkyard (probably our best forward all year)
Ian Mort (kicking game is priceless, always gives his all)
Ritchie Hawkyard (been excellent all year)
Ian Watson (I think hes still got one more season in him, even if he does the 'paul scholes' role and comes off the bench to steady the ship)
Chaz I'Anson (Tackles WELL above his weight, can only see him improving for us)
Martin Ainscough (already signed, got better and better as seasons progressed)
Adam Walker (if poss on dual reg)
Glen Riley (ditto)
Carl Forster (ditto)
Tom Armstrong (made a few glaring errors in defence this year but clearly has bags of potential and has had more good games than bad)
Adam Higson (if hes not signed for leigh already, been a menace)
Kevin Penny (another menace, since the whole union bit was sorted has gone from strength to strength)
Mark Smith (can play for us as long as he wants to as far as im concerned, awesome)
Karl Ashall (still got a massive future)

Out:

Gavin Dodd (as much as I like the guy, he is just to erratic and unpredictable and this year has probably cost us as many tries as hes scored)
Alex Hurst (again, great lad, has got potential but I just think personally we could sign someone better)
Rob Foxen (unless a change of role to an impact second rower, hes just not got the positional sense to play on the wing in this devision)
David Mills (has played well in about 20% of the games hes played. This isnt good enough in my book)
Danny Meekin (hasnt done anything to impress me, perhaps time to give someone else a chance)
Neil Holland (for me hasnt got the intensity to play in this league)
Sam Reay (iv always liked sam, always gives 110% but dont think hes big enough for this league)

Think thats very harsh on both meekin and holland, these 2 in my opinion have beenthe most affected by the d/r system.I know for a fact mcCormack told meekin after about 10/11 games he had been his best forward and then proceeded to leave him out for 9 wks and then it was a case of play a game or 2 and then miss another couple.As for holland i dont think hes been given a chance at all, these players would bleed for swinton unlike d/r players who only use champ clubs as a stepping stone.Players can't just switch it on at this level, wot people dont realise is how much all this can affect a players confidence, they turn up wk in wk out for training (turn down work in some cases) only to be told joe bloggs from super dooper league is taking your place and finally meekin may not be 1of your star players but watch him as closely as i do and you will see how much graft he gets threw.

[mark richardson]

Meekin worked his socks off yesterday and put in a massive defensive effort.

[greengrass]

Yeah I agree about Holland and Meekin they have not been given a fair chance and they have not been given much game time. IMO Meekin is one of the most improved players under Steve M both pyshically and game knowledge wise and this as been showed in the very little game time he as had, he runs very good lines and possesses a good side step, he also as a good set of hands and towards end of season putting some big hits in.

I would get rid of Dodd he brings nothing to the team, also get rid of Armstrong and with his wages bring more lads in who wanna play for the club. Also with the Foxen situtation i would keep him in the side and during the off season now get him in the pack as a second row and get him learning the running lines, I would not even say as an impact player because I think he as the strengh to match them from the start.

I would have Ainscough and I'anson as my 6 and 7, when I'anson gets the ball you can see the other team looking at thinking "what is he going to do now" something we have not had for a while. Ainscough is a natural rugby player where nothing seems to difficult for him and this half combo for me is the way forward with Watto on the bench.

Ce message a été modifié par greengrass - 03 septembre 2012 - 01:43 .

[Shizonamy]

Totally agree about Holland, when he was at Blackpool he was quality. Needs game time as he is still relatively young. Meekin the same, runs well from deep and hits the line hard. Need to teach Mills and Foxen to do the same and they would be smashing everywhere. I definitly agree about Dodd, he has to go, looks like his confidence is gone, I remember him at Oldham and really rated him. Also agree about the half-back pairing, it has to be those too, both natural ball players that can kick and take the line on.

[Bryce]

Not sure you can say Dodd brings nothing to the team. It's quite obvious he can score tries at this level, hasn't he scored the 2nd most tries this season? His defence is another issue.

Holland and Meekin haven't been given a proper run in the team. Again, are they really good enough for the Championship? And Foxen runs it in harder than anyone else in the team, or am I missing something? His defence has also come into question.

I agree with the original post really. However, we only had something like 22-23 players signed on by the end of the season, so who can we afford to lose?! Who is available to bring in? Once those questions have been answered it will be easier to discuss who should stay and who should go.

[Furryenzo]

An advantage we have, is that with Leigh, we are the only teams in this area in our league, giving local players at this level only two options, as much as its a shame we wont have local derbies with Rochdale and Oldham next year (would have been good).

Can see the points made about Meekin and Holland, in fairness they haven't had the game time needed. But im basing my opinions on the fact that I personally dont think our pack was effective at all in this league until we got the d/r signings, im not for a second doubting their loyalty and commitment to our club, but I just think we need a more powerful front row.

I dont think theres a player in our squad i dont like, but I think to progress, some difficult decisions and sacrifices have to be made.

[mark richardson]

They are both very young. I think they are worth developing

[greengrass]

I understand what your saying Bryce about Dodd, when you start playing rugby from the age of seven you get drummed in your head "defence wins you matches" its ok being second try scorer but if your letting in the amount he does he as got to go. Also it is every game with him I have not seen him have a good game in defence since he joined swinton.

Yeah I agree with you Mark, Yes from the limited amount of time I have seen of Meekin and Holland yes they are good enough for this league, I also think why there was no relegation this year they should have been given more time to prove it.

I feel there are loads of potential to bring in new players especially from the amateur game, did we not get Darren Hawkyard from this level? This proves there is talent out there just got to find it, Also with bringing lads in from this level your getting lads who want to play and not players coming with big names and big wage demands.

Totally agree with Foxen he as to be moved into the pack, with his pace and power he would make a awesome second rower.

Ce message a été modifié par greengrass - 04 septembre 2012 - 08:13 .

[bigtony]

Every one goes on about the d/r players, apart from forster i dont think the others added anything extra after all swinton only won 4 games i think and in my opinion you would have won them without the d/r.I think S M missed a trick this season to develope his team without the fear of relegation i also feel swinton could find it difficult to recruit players if it gets a reputation of using d/r players over there own.And remember the number of d/r players a club can have goes up next season

[greengrass]

I agree Bigtony your spot on about bringing the D/R lads in, if we used the players we had for one season without relegation then they would have gained experience in this and also got use to the speed of the league. But I also think the D/R lads have still done a job for us.

[PhillH]

Every one goes on about the d/r players, apart from forster i dont think the others added anything extra after all swinton only won 4 games i think and in my opinion you would have won them without the d/r.I think S M missed a trick this season to develope his team without the fear of relegation i also feel swinton could find it difficult to recruit players if it gets a reputation of using d/r players over there own.And remember the number of d/r players a club can have goes up next season

You highlight a very big strategic choice that the club faces for the make up of next year's squad. I read that its proposed the limit for Dual Registered players will increase to 10. Some of the Championship clubs, mainly the more ambitious ones, seem to be resisting the temptation to fill their line ups with DR players. Hunslet however seem set to become something akin to a Leeds Rhinos academy side in all but name.

[marshy1]

You highlight a very big strategic choice that the club faces for the make up of next year's squad. I read that its proposed the limit for Dual Registered players will increase to 10. Some of the Championship clubs, mainly the more ambitious ones, seem to be resisting the temptation to fill their line ups with DR players. Hunslet however seem set to become something akin to a Leeds Rhinos academy side in all but name.

Got to agree there.If this is forced on clubs it has to be limited to a small number of players per team.
Clubs will loose their identity with anymore than that, as you have rightly pionted out with the Hunslet situation.

[bigtony]

Ive been against d/r since it started 2yrs back, why should champ clubs help to develope s/l players after all s/l clubs get enough money thrown at them.I also think it can make coaches lazy not having to put the time and effort into developing their own players when they can get d/r players where its all done for them.My biggest fear is we lose younger players coming into the championship because they see no future there to develope.I hope im wrong but i can see the likes of swinton,hunslet,york and others disappearing in the next couple of yrs, taken over by s/l clubs to use as their academies, apart from the top 4/5 clubs in s/l rugby league is slowly dying.RIP r/l

[bigtony]

You highlight a very big strategic choice that the club faces for the make up of next year's squad. I read that its proposed the limit for Dual Registered players will increase to 10. Some of the Championship clubs, mainly the more ambitious ones, seem to be resisting the temptation to fill their line ups with DR players. Hunslet however seem set to become something akin to a Leeds Rhinos academy side in all but name.

I think its going to be,6 d/r and 4 loan players but u can't play them all in the same game, i think

[greengrass]

I agree with you Bigtony but this sport is a results driven industry, there is nothing more I would like to see is 17 local lads from the amateur game wanting to play and also be proud to play for the lions. Is this going to happen? In this industry we need results and need them fast especially with the financial burden of being relegated.

[bigtony]

I agree with you Bigtony but this sport is a results driven industry, there is nothing more I would like to see is 17 local lads from the amateur game wanting to play and also be proud to play for the lions. Is this going to happen? In this industry we need results and need them fast especially with the financial burden of being relegated.

But what happens in 4/5 years say when you have a shortage of players because they have decided to play other sports with a more level playing field,ie not semi pro trying to compete with f/t players

[greengrass]

I agree with everything you are saying Bigtony, but the club given our fan base (income) has to play safe and do whats best for the club at this moment in time which is to bring in players from higher clubs and try to compete at this level.

Lets take Aston Villa for example every signing they have made in the off season as been from lower leagues because Paul Lambert said "Players from the lower divisions are more hungrier and have more passion than the big stars" they are favourites to go down and had bad start to the season. If Villa go down it could be the end of the club for them with the financial burden of going down, the sport we are is a results driven industry.

It would take someone very brave to say "lets get rid of D/R players and concentrate on local lads,especially as it took us so long to get into this division."