What about Donaldson?

Its nice to see we've finally got some competition for places again. Been a while since we had that.

I'm still going for Addy at loose and Bateman and Dale in second row but what a big man to bring off the bench in big frank

And not forgetting Donaldson (as you've pointed out)

So how do we all expect us to line up, given a full strength squad?

Kearney
Kear
Blythe
Henry
Foster
Sammut/Gaskell
Gale
Scruton
Heath
Nas
Bateman
Ferguson
Addy

Diskin
Carvell
Sidlow
Winterstein

This leaves one of Sammut or Gaskell knocking on the door along with Purtell, George, Olbison, Donaldson, Walker, Evans, Roberts, Wood, Mellor, O' Brien and Conroy.

Have I forgotten anyone?

Hmm, I'm sure Purtell wasn't there when I typed it! Stupid slow computer.

Haha! Nah I'm just faster at editing my post than you are

Anyroad, anyone who may care to remember would point to me being particularly underwhelmed and scathing of this rumour, and he still has a lot to do in my eyes in order to not view this as a bit of a wasted signing. But it's official and I'll back him as much as I did Blythe, who I was equally sceptical about. If it keeps Matty out of the second row and out in the centre then it's a big plus.

I can see why he has signed him, but at the same time I hope this doesn't stunt the development of the like of Roberts and Mellor. They are both wayyy down the pecking order now.

Looking like a decent squad. Only question i would have re that team would be Addy, he misses a lot of tackles to be starting at LF, maybe Donaldson would be a better option?

I know every year it's said "this is big year for Donaldson", but as he said in the T&A a few weeks ago he needs to play 18 games to activate clause in his contract for a second year this really is the make or break year for him. And I bloody hope he does it. Probably more than any other player in the squad if I'm honest.

And may I apologise to the poster who first brought the "Frank", "Winter" rumour to the table many, many weeks ago. As I threatened to punch him in the face if it was true!

So sorry mr poster man (I'll find their name)

edit: 'norman' was the poster. Only a five-post wonder (I hope I didn't scare him off!) Come back man in the know.

Whatever else you get with Big Frank hard work is not his strong suit. Liked him as a player but he was a bit of a luxury for us, great if we could afford to bring him off the bench late in each half to run at a tiring defence, strong runner and deceptively quick once he gets under way and scores a fair few tries. Not a grafter though, but he did make more of an effort later in the season.

If you can afford to play to his strengths and have plenty of hard grafting players in the 17 then he will be effective, if you rely on Frank to be one of the grafters you are likely to be disappointed.

That may say as much about the overall quality of our squad and the fact that it has been all hands to the pump at certain stages in both 2012 and 2013 with injuries (I realise that most squads are affected, but we perhaps didn't posses the strength in depth of most other squads). So with Franks skill set its a case of horses for courses, if you have enough other people doing the graft he will get you some tries, if you rely on him to graft as well as run he will disappoint as it seems to blunt his effectiveness. Obviously players respond to different situations, so he may play differently for you!

Even though he is a good tackler, that is all he adds to the team. Ferguson and Bateman are both good defensively and in attack, and Winterstein will be good as an impact back row. I am sure Donaldson will feature as injuries will occur.

Still not convinced about Addy as a starting 13 too small IMO.

Don't you think he deserves a shot at it though? He has a nice habit of making something happen and his defensive mistakes tend to come when he stands one out, roughly in the traditional stand off position.

I'm pleased with Winterstein and would play him off the bench.