Quote graceI think it's fair to say we've done OK bringing players through the last few seasons!'"
And you've told us repeatedly that's the way to do it rather than bringing overpaid Aussies over. All of a sudden, it's no longer counted as strengthening the squad. Apart from which, I presume from this that you're agreeing with me, so I'm not sure what the point is you're trying to make here.
Quote graceDeacon wouldn't "grace" any team!'"
So you pick one from the four! Is that really the best you could come up with? And that one would still have been Bradford's first choice scrum half this season, as he was last, had Orford not become available. That's before we get on to the fact that he's played in several of our games already this season and will, no doubt, feature in many more. I think we'll call your attempt above a non-answer and move on....
Quote graceO'Carroll has been playing for years. Mossop looks a terrific player, but you're down Hock and I wouldn't say he's at that level yet. Haven't seen enough of Tuson to judge, but looks solid.'"
O'Carroll barely featured last year. The season before was his first I believe and again he played a handfull of times. That's before we get to the fact that as he gains experience he will become a stronger player anyway (as indeed he is showing so far this season). As we are talking about strengthening the squad, I think it fair to say any player who can add more depth at a higher level and/or provide more games throughout a season qualifies, don't you? We'll have to agree to disagree on Mossop. I think he is every bit as good as Hock; perhaps better. Tucson is solid but very early days for him. Certainly qualifies as strengthening the squad though, which is what we're discussing. As does Thornley, Mellor, Charnley etc. who were part of the GF winning reserve squad last year and who I haven't even mentioned yet.
Quote graceRoberts is playing very, very well. A real purple patch. Still from the same squad as last year though.'"
This has no relevance at all. Not even sure it's worth a response, but here goes. You said 'Same squad, same weaknesses'. I answered by pointing out that it doesn't follow and offered Roberts as an example of someone who, although the name on the team sheet is the same, is FAR from the same player with the same weaknesses. I could start to point out which weaknesses in particular have been addressed in his case but I'm sure you're already fully aware of them. Just as I'm sure you already knew that your reply wasn't worth a reply but you got me to do one anyway! I'll chalk that up as a victory to you...
Quote graceAgreed, I think I alluded to that in my post. Wigan look well coached but it's far too early to credit MM with eradicating the inherent weaknesses of all your players. Think that may be a bit more wishful thinking than reality.'"
Agreed that it is early days, but I think it's fair to say that our comparitive record after 7 games this and last season suggest that he [umust[/u have ironed out many of the weaknesses from last season. At the very least, not being prepared for the early part of the season was, perhaps, the biggest weakness of all last year and left us far too much to do come the business end. That's certainly one he has addressed. Fitness being another. I could list others such as mental preparation/getting up for each game, but I'll let the season be the judge of that.
Quote graceWill be interesting to see how Wigan run for the rest of the year - I still think Saints and Leeds will be the teams to beat come the business end.'"
Indeed. I have little doubt that both clubs will have something to say this year, just as they have for the last 3. I think it's equally foolish to write off the likes of Wigan by over simple statements like 'same squad, same weaknesses' though.
