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Post by redunderthebed on Dec 20, 2019 13:33:04 GMT
I know we’ve done this a couple of times but as the squad numbers get close to finish and as a bit of pre-Christmas fun I thought I’d have another one...
Really struggling to think who Watto will choose for a few positions or what I think is the strongest 17
I think pretty much nailed on are
1 Evalds
2 Sio
3 Welham
4 Sarge
5 Inu
6 Tui
7 Brown
8 Moose
9 Lussick
10 Dudson
14 Ikahihifo
15 Walker
16 Pauli
Back row is hard.
Lannon getting 11 surprised me. I thought Greenwood was going to. One of those to start in 2nd row
I reckon Pauli will be an impact player rather than a starter.
McCarthy getting 13 surprised me too as I think he will get more games in 2nd row than loose.
Burke, Yates and Flanagan (with McCarthy) for the 13 spot. My guess would be Burke as starting 13. But maybe Yates starting for his solid defence and Burke coming off the bench if we have 4 forwards on there. I know many think Flash is past his best but I still think our attack is much smoother when he is on the pitch so he’d still be in the line up for me
So maybe:
11 Greenwood/Lannon
12 McCarthy
13 Burke
Leaves a lot of other questions too:
Will Chamberlain replace Sio or Inu? I think these two have better defence so will get the nod but chamberlain has more pace
Will Atkin get a spot? Can’t see him as 1st choice at 6, 7 or 9 but he hasn’t left KR to not play. Maybe on the bench as replacement 9 to start with?
Lussick might be asked to play all 80 and another forward on the bench?
Is Jones going to be able to make the step up and push Lussick or Atkin for the 9 spot?
So:
17 Atkin/Yates (or Burke)/Flash/Lannon or Greenwood/Jones
Plenty of choices for the coaches
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2019 13:57:41 GMT
1. Evalds
2. Sio
3. Welham. But I see Chamberlain coming in here when he's fit. If not here then he'll push Inu.
4. Sarge
5. Inu
6. Tui
7. Brown
8. Mossop
9. Lussick - I think he'll start the season doing 80 minute stints with either Jones or Atkin being used as an impact sub as needed.
10. Dudson
11. Lannon or Greenwood when fit
12. McCarthy
13. Yates
14. Ika
15. Walker
16. Flash - to come on at 13 after the initial grunt work has been done
17. Pauli
Back row isn't the most inspiring until the two juggernauts come on. Lack of flair and speed in the back line but nothing new there.
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Post by bonitared on Dec 20, 2019 15:07:33 GMT
Strongest overall squad for years.
Great problem to have.
Agree 1to 10.
I think Yates is nailed on to be the workhorse and will have Lannon or Greenwood next to him with Tyke at loose.
Pauli,Walker,Flash and Atkins or Connor on the bench.
That still leaves Chamberlain,Iky, and the 2 backs from London,and I bet that I’ve forgotten someone.
Finally, with Watto,it’ll depends on who impresses in the pre season training
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Post by bonitared on Dec 20, 2019 15:09:12 GMT
Forgotten Burke......and JJ
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Post by Carnster on Dec 20, 2019 15:20:58 GMT
It's nice to have so many options for a change. I think Watto will judge the starters after the friendlies to be honest, especially in the forwards. We've got great power off the bench, and I fully expect that we'll see Ikahihifo back to where he was in 2017 in the dream team. Pauli was decent when he played for us, and you can see that the Watto effect was rubbing-off. I think he'll have a strong season. We've got a lot of top quality grafters in Yates, McCarthy, and Flash.
We lack a little dynamism in the backs, but Sarge, Sio and Evalds are no slouches in the speed department. I'd have liked to see us pick-up a real powerful centre as I think Welham is a defensive weak spot. Not on a personal level, but if you watch where we get our defensive line broken, more often than not it's in the gap between Welham and the second-row. Maybe I'm being a little harsh, as I like Welham and he's been a good player for us, but it is what it is. Chamberlain may be the player to plug that gap.
I hope that Brown gets a new lease of life and proves the doubters wrong, myself included. I think Lussick and Atkin will play key roles for us along with Tui. I have nothing to say about Moose and Dudson. They've proved all their doubters wrong last season and will continue this coming season. With having more options than we're used to, the style we play may change a little this season, but in Watto I trust.
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Post by twistthemellonman on Dec 20, 2019 15:38:54 GMT
You'd think we'd keep the same sort of shape as last year apart from the obvious departures and the players we've signed to replace them. Inu and Chamberlain fighting over that second wing place with Whelham and sarge in the centres. Brown replacing Hastings with Atkins competing as well but i can't see Brown lasting the whole season. Back row you'd would think would sort it self out with Lannon but i reckon Pauli will be coming off the bench with Greenwood starting. You have McCarthy playing 13 to start with Flash,Burke and Yates competing for that bench spot. Dudson and Mossop to start obviously with Atkin or Jones starting as Watson seemed to like Lussick coming on as an impact hooker which worked well in the 8s. Bench of Ikahihifo, Pauli, Burke/Flanagan/ Yates, Lussick. All this is a guess though really there is only a few you could say that are 100% likely and that uncertainty is solely down to the level of depth we have next year which is great.
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Post by bonitared on Dec 20, 2019 16:55:03 GMT
It’s all pretty fluid.
I think he’ll want impact players on the bench.
I don’t see Yates as that person. I see him as a Josh Jones workhorse so I think he’ll be a fixture from day 1
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Post by kilop on Dec 20, 2019 17:41:59 GMT
It’s all pretty fluid. I think he’ll want impact players on the bench. I don’t see Yates as that person. I see him as a Josh Jones workhorse so I think he’ll be a fixture from day 1 Would u say Josh Jones was a workhorse? I thought he was out strike forward last year who broke the line most. I think Pauli and seb have been brought in to add strike in the forwards which we lost with Jones leaving |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2019 17:51:43 GMT
I think we’ll have to change the tactics with the forwards for those reasons- we don’t have an 80 minute backrower who can make plays or bust tackles anymore (Jones) but we do now have two explosive impact forwards who can play in the back row but can’t do long shifts. When Pauli was on loan with us he came on after about 25 minutes and stayed on after half time for a spell - worked well.
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Post by JJR on Dec 20, 2019 18:43:48 GMT
The good thing with Brown is, he has good forward plays near the line. That guy can really pass a timely ball.
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Post by redwolf on Dec 21, 2019 14:32:48 GMT
Quick Question and it's not a criticism just an observation coz I think Tui is fantastic but, did anyone think he had a few extra pounds on him last season or is that his normal playing weight ?? Also big thanks from Wolverhampton and id like to wish you all a great Xmas and a happy new year. RW
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2019 15:49:13 GMT
Quick Question and it's not a criticism just an observation coz I think Tui is fantastic but, did anyone think he had a few extra pounds on him last season or is that his normal playing weight ?? Also big thanks from Wolverhampton and id like to wish you all a great Xmas and a happy new year. RW Yes probably- I think both his fitness and confidence were not great when he came to us but both improved week on week until he peaked in the internationals. Hopefully he can continue where he left off. He doesn’t strike me as a bloke who will ever look shredded though! Merry Christmas as well from a rather wet London. |
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Post by Carnster on Dec 21, 2019 16:57:48 GMT
Quick Question and it's not a criticism just an observation coz I think Tui is fantastic but, did anyone think he had a few extra pounds on him last season or is that his normal playing weight ?? Also big thanks from Wolverhampton and id like to wish you all a great Xmas and a happy new year. RW Yes probably- I think both his fitness and confidence were not great when he came to us but both improved week on week until he peaked in the internationals. Hopefully he can continue where he left off. He doesn’t strike me as a bloke who will ever look shredded though! Merry Christmas as well from a rather wet London. He was very fit when at the Warriors a few seasons ago. Of course he was a little bit younger, but no reason why he wont be fitter next season, even though I don't think it was an issue for us this season gone with him tbh. Everyone is different. I've seen really ripped lads be very unfit, and lads carrying weight that can go and go. I don't really have any fitness issues with Salford these days since GB came on board. |
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Post by kreuzbergred on Dec 21, 2019 18:09:02 GMT
Quick Question and it's not a criticism just an observation coz I think Tui is fantastic but, did anyone think he had a few extra pounds on him last season or is that his normal playing weight ?? Also big thanks from Wolverhampton and id like to wish you all a great Xmas and a happy new year. RW He's Definitely gained a few extra pounds of the £s, since Jacko 'Josh Jones and the rest left Not weight Ibs in Weight. If you ever saw Adrian Hadley at the Willows you'll remember it wasn't a necessity for that Taff Ex Red Devil. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2019 21:09:21 GMT
Can't see how we can drop Inu from the starting 13, made some howlers early in the season but his kicking towards the end was vital, do worry his lack of pace will become more and more obvious next season so wonder if he might be benched and used as a potential make shift back row and across the back line.
Having Chamberlain back will be like a new signing and I'm sure I've read he has bulked up so he can play in the centres.
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