GeoffN posted:
I tend to agree, although I feel that perhaps we're all underrating Goulding.
This bit, in particular:
"...Goulding is not up to taking over form DV..."
Kinda puts the situation into perspective. Apart from DV's last handful of games, most of us were saying play Goulding ahead of him.
I don't think its a measure of how good or how poor DV was. When DV was poor (most of the time) anyone would do! But being serious I don't think Goulding is ready for a full season in the first team. That was the point I was making there.
I think McIllorum is so Millards replacement is sorted. But it isn't just about being ready its also about being effective. I think Goulding can make the grade and be effective but not yet and we have been crying out for an effective attacking centre for some years.
It's just a pity we also need the two other players at the same time with no money to buy them.
DaveO posted:
Given there is only £140K to spend we are not going to get what I think is the minimum of three players needed to strengthen the squad, a full back, a centre and a prop.
That being the case which position to we go for?
I think Coley has be used as a prop now. Hansen and Hock will have to cover 2nd row.
So that is the prop slot taken care of. Not ideal but a valid compromise I think.
The other obvious compromise is full back retaining Richards in that position. I don't like this idea because as I have said before bringing in Hodgson would allow us to improve two positions leaving us with a better full back and better winger than we have with Richards at FB and Colbon on the wing.
I think we will have to make the compromise at fullback because Goulding is not up to taking over form DV full time meaninvg we needa centre.
So my conclusion is we need to spend the money on a centre.
Some may say get two players for the £140K but I don't think £70K a player buys you much quality these days so I think they should blow the majority of it on Cooper if he will come over for £140k or less.
What do others think?
Dave
I don`t know if the 140 K is correct or not , but the thing is , were we so much over the salary cap for last year .
We have lost 4 players , we can`t defer contract payments which must mean we were well over the cap last year knowing that Fletcher and Vealeaki were on big contracts . Are we going to get points deducted again next year .
We must know the truth , I have already purchesed my season tickets for next year , if I `ld have known the above I`ld have considered otherwise ,
The reason we were over the cap last year was because the rfl said we could then couldnt defer wages. They took into account the wages we defered over last year and next onto 2006 salary cap. If they didnt then we would not have been over the cap nor would we for last year or next (we would have no money for extra players tho). So next year we wont/shouldnt have any points deducted for being over the cap as we acctualy underspent by that £140k-ish. This is were the "extra" money has come from, so we are no longer over the cap but should have money to spare, this being half of what we were over for 2006 - £140k.
ok...but its the deffered payments that put us over last year. So, this year they cannot be counted again. We have lost 2 of the biggest earners at the club aswell as Ashton, Withers and Millard. We can only afford Coley and 140K. Doesnt add up for me somehow.
i beleive with the limited resources we find ourselves with grix from widnes would make a good fb
for us.he would not be expensive and would free up richards.
I presume we could also sign say Cooper and pay him X amount in 2008, increasing to Y amount in 2009 or tie up extra money in bonuses for 2009.
The great thing about Cooper is that defensively he would cover for any weakness immediately inside / outside him. He is also experienced and if we are going to be using youngsters elsewhere they need seasoned professionals to bring them on.
Fewer Top Drawer Player(s) AND Youngsters is a far better proposition than More Average / Potential SL Players and Youngsters.
