2025 Squad

[Gooleboy]

Josh must be worth another year the way he has been playing recently. 

[Fevrover]

2 hours ago, marklaspalmas said:

We currently have a 23 man squad.

Signed for 2025:

Brad Day
Jimmy Beckett
Connor Jones
Gadwin Springer
Thomas Lacans
Danny Addy
Greg Minikin
Maddox Jeffery
Gareth Gale

Pending:

Caleb Aekins
Harry Bowes
Greg Eden
Jack Bussey
Josh Hardcastle
Ben Reynolds
Wellington Albert
Jack Arnold
Connor Wynne
Charlie Harris
James Lockwood

Loan to end of 2024:

Ben Nakubuwai
Samy Kibula
Dec Patton

 

Hopefully Reynolds, Bussey ,Wynne and Josh stay,Patton off to Widnes.

[Squidward]

They would be the 4 I would be most keen to try to keep. 

Nakubuwai is another who's deserved a deal but whether finances will allow I'm not sure.

[RobLambert]

1 hour ago, Squidward said:

They would be the 4 I would be most keen to try to keep. 

Nakubuwai is another who's deserved a deal but whether finances will allow I'm not sure.

There's a big name on the pending list that nobody has mentioned.  I wouldn't be too upset if he leaves given that he's probably one of our biggest earners.  

[The Phantom Horseman]

11 hours ago, RobLambert said:

There's a big name on the pending list that nobody has mentioned.  I wouldn't be too upset if he leaves given that he's probably one of our biggest earners.  

I think that's a good way of putting it. We're always a little in the dark in that we only have half the information that's pertinent to retention decisions - ie we have all seen the players play but we are only guessing at their salaries (we also aren't privy to behind-the-scenes stuff such as are they a good team influence or disruptive etc).

If we're talking about the same player, I think he's performed ok in recent weeks after a shakey start and has done a job for us, but I too would imagine he'd be on a fair salary and you'd think we could get equivalent or better production cheaper.

On the other end of the scale (and again this is guesswork) but you'd think Jack Arnold wouldn't be one of our bigger earners and if so I reckon he's provided enough value in recent weeks to earn a second year with us.

[sentoffagain2]

    I was impressed with England in the first few games but his form tapered off.Arnold for me has been a very solid hard worker and i would love to see him get a 2 year contract.

[The Phantom Horseman]

13 hours ago, Squidward said:

They would be the 4 I would be most keen to try to keep. 

Nakubuwai is another who's deserved a deal but whether finances will allow I'm not sure.

I agree that Nakubuwai has done pretty well bar a couple of quiet games, I think this is his level not SL. I wouldn't get in a mad bidding war for him but he's been solid in attack and defence in my view.

[Featherstonerovers2000]

I’d like us to resign Aekins been very good for us last few years 

[sentoffagain2]

12 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

I agree that Nakubuwai has done pretty well bar a couple of quiet games, I think this is his level not SL. I wouldn't get in a mad bidding war for him but he's been solid in attack and defence in my view.

   Slow start and i gave him a bit of stick.But he has improved enough to be a regular starter.For the Championship he is a decent player.

[RobLambert]

3 hours ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

I think that's a good way of putting it. We're always a little in the dark in that we only have half the information that's pertinent to retention decisions - ie we have all seen the players play but we are only guessing at their salaries (we also aren't privy to behind-the-scenes stuff such as are they a good team influence or disruptive etc).

If we're talking about the same player, I think he's performed ok in recent weeks after a shakey start and has done a job for us, but I too would imagine he'd be on a fair salary and you'd think we could get equivalent or better production cheaper.

On the other end of the scale (and again this is guesswork) but you'd think Jack Arnold wouldn't be one of our bigger earners and if so I reckon he's provided enough value in recent weeks to earn a second year with us.

Ah no I don't think we are talking about the same player.  I don't usually like to name individuals but to avoid confusion I meant Aekins.  A bit controversial maybe but, even allowing for his absences this year and that he's often being asked to play out of position, I just don't recall the last time he had a great game.  Won us the opening game at Batley.  Can't recall much else.  He seems to be going through the motions most of the time.  Recently I was just looking at highlights from our games against Leigh in the 2022 season and he looked a different player.  I'm sure he was smiling more as well but I might be making that up !  Like I said though, assuming that he's one of the high earners is probably affecting my opinion.  i.e its all relative - he's still a decent player - but is he worth it ?

I agree about Arnold though........ 

 

[The Phantom Horseman]

Just now, RobLambert said:

Ah no I don't think we are talking about the same player.  I don't usually like to name individuals but to avoid confusion I meant Aekins.  A bit controversial maybe but, even allowing for his absences this year and that he's often being asked to play out of position, I just don't recall the last time he had a great game.  Won us the opening game at Batley.  Can't recall much else.  He seems to be going through the motions most of the time.  Recently I was just looking at highlights from our games against Leigh in the 2022 season and he looked a different player.  I'm sure he was smiling more as well but I might be making that up !  Like I said though, assuming that he's one of the high earners is probably affecting my opinion.  i.e its all relative - he's still a decent player - but is he worth it ?

I agree about Arnold though........ 

 

It didn't occur to me you were talking about Aekins! For me he's still a really good player but he's been massively impacted over the last couple of seasons by being regularly asked to play half back, which he's done to the best of his ability but we all know it's not his natural position.

He's still in the top 3 in the MOTM table on this forum despite missing quite a lot of games, but I'd say he probably needs to be playing full back behind a couple of proper half backs over a decent period (for timing/linking up purposes) to be seen at his best. I don't agree with the comment about seeming to be going through the motions. As for 2022, I think I would have looked good playing full back in that Leigh team (well, maybe not...)

As you say though, he's probably one of our higher earners. Just down to whether he's judged to provide value for money at his cost (assuming he & his family want to stay in the UK).

[marklaspalmas]

31 minutes ago, RobLambert said:

Ah no I don't think we are talking about the same player.  I don't usually like to name individuals but to avoid confusion I meant Aekins.  A bit controversial maybe but, even allowing for his absences this year and that he's often being asked to play out of position, I just don't recall the last time he had a great game.  Won us the opening game at Batley.  Can't recall much else.  He seems to be going through the motions most of the time.  Recently I was just looking at highlights from our games against Leigh in the 2022 season and he looked a different player.  I'm sure he was smiling more as well but I might be making that up !  Like I said though, assuming that he's one of the high earners is probably affecting my opinion.  i.e its all relative - he's still a decent player - but is he worth it ?

I agree about Arnold though........ 

 

I see where your coming from but that's a harsh-ish judgement. 

He's not a halfback for mine. We need him at fullback, his best position.

One of his family died in Australia mid season and he had to go home. That must have affected him.

[The Phantom Horseman]

Matt Shaw is linking us with Robson Stevens, a 22yo prop who has played for Mackay Cutters in tier 2 in Australia over the last 2 years. Before that he came through the Huddersfield academy, played twice in SL for them, and also had quite a few appearances for Dewsbury.

[Rovers fev]

I know the money aekins is on and if I’m honest I don’t think he’s worth it, if he’d take a 20k pay cut I’d be willing to keep him but for his wage this year we could get 2-3 decent champ players in 

[SUPERSTUD]

4 hours ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

Matt Shaw is linking us with Robson Stevens, a 22yo prop who has played for Mackay Cutters in tier 2 in Australia over the last 2 years. Before that he came through the Huddersfield academy, played twice in SL for them, and also had quite a few appearances for Dewsbury.

He must have come on leaps and bounds during the two year period. It’s possible and I genuinely mean that. Ex Birstall Victoria junior player. Nice lad.

[RobLambert]

2 hours ago, Rovers fev said:

I know the money aekins is on and if I’m honest I don’t think he’s worth it, if he’d take a 20k pay cut I’d be willing to keep him but for his wage this year we could get 2-3 decent champ players in 

Thats my thinking.  Just on the above comments I may have been a bit harsh regarding his contribution over the last year or so.   Its a shame he's had to play so much at half back so we've not seen the best of him.  But I cant see an end to the cycle of us having just 2 decent halves on the books - one of which seems to be constantly injured - leaving Aekins (arguably) as our No.1 replacement.  I'd rather see the likes of Addy, Eden, Bowes, Bussey etc to step in.  Its like signing Messi and putting him in goal. 

[Featherstonerovers2000]

By sounds both Aekins and springer signed 2 year deals 

[Wakefield Ram]

On 11/09/2024 at 16:51, Fevrover said:

Hopefully Reynolds, Bussey ,Wynne and Josh stay,Patton off to Widnes.

You've got Calum Turner and Bailey O'Connor from Dewsbury by all accounts. Turner isn't a Championship standard half back, lacks the necessary pace but O'Connor is a real talent. 

[elppaxr2i]

Pretty sure Reynolds signed an 18 month deal when he re-signed so he would be in for 2025?

[POR]

It's interesting to hear peoples thoughts on players for 2025 but the biggest monkey in the room is coach for 2025

[Michael Bates]

1 hour ago, elppaxr2i said:

Pretty sure Reynolds signed an 18 month deal when he re-signed so he would be in for 2025?

The news article on our website says until the end of the 2024 season.

[Monkeymagic22]

55 minutes ago, POR said:

It's interesting to hear peoples thoughts on players for 2025 but the biggest monkey in the room is coach for 2025

I agree, struggling to see how there will be improvement under the current coaching staff. Alas, it seems like Ford is here to stay.

[POR]

57 minutes ago, Michael Bates said:

The news article on our website says until the end of the 2024 season.

I saw that when he came back from the Robins with Reynolds returns to the Rovers  dated 06/07/24

Featherstone Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of Ben Reynolds until the end of the 2024 season.

but it was announced on website dated 19/10/23

Local lad Ben Reynolds has joined Featherstone Rovers from Leigh Leopards on a two year deal. The talismanic halfback becomes the first new signing for  2024

so what's happening is anyone's guess

 

Edited September 16 by POR

[J Phil Loxton]

28 minutes ago, Monkeymagic22 said:

I agree, struggling to see how there will be improvement under the current coaching staff. Alas, it seems like Ford is here to stay.

I would think and sincerely hope that Paddy Handley who sounds to be the ultimate professional in the ideas that he has,would put the club before a best friend. With the ideas that he has put in place regarding the ground etc he wouldn't want the dark days of the old division 2 returning when I stood with 700+ fans at Post Office Road. I can't believe a coach would be given the boot with two matches left. If anything it's next season now that is important from a coaching aspect. Looking on the positive side it is now up to the players and coaching staff to decide if they are up for the almighty challenge of achieving the slight chance of us making the six. If we don't then the coach should be answerable to this failure. We have been beaten now on numerous occasions at home by teams that rarely take two points from Post Office Road and while no team has got the right to beat everyone it seems that alarm bells have been ringing for a while only to be glossed over by beating top four teams.

[Michael Bates]

16 minutes ago, POR said:

I saw that when he came back from the Robins with Reynolds returns to the Rovers  dated 06/07/24

Featherstone Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of Ben Reynolds until the end of the 2024 season.

but it was announced on website dated 19/10/23

Local lad Ben Reynolds has joined Featherstone Rovers from Leigh Leopards on a two year deal. The talismanic halfback becomes the first new signing for  2024

so what's happening is anyone's guess

 

Sounds about right for this club...