Another close one. How did Billy Jowitt go at FB, are we going to be need a fullback or gamble on McGowan being with us for the year?

Need to cut out the sin bins once the real action begins.

Billy Jowitt isn't upto it imho.

Game went as expected. We looked good to start then as we started the continuous rolling on of academy/reserve fringe players we lost cohesion.

I think FB and a LF are crucial positions we lack quality and cover in. FB more than ever nowadays is a position where you need real quality, there a link player, coming into the line to finish and set up tries. Need a burst of pace, good hands, and to read plays in attack and in defence. LF as well I know Dan Smith is likely to play there but beyond that not much. Again a good ball playing 13 who can tough it out as well in the middle is key. I think we generally lack pace and natural athleticism throughout the squad as well.
As dissapointing as the result was pre season games are all about getting the minutes in the legs. What was more dissapointing the score line or the performance? Fev definitely had a mix of quality, experience but had 4/5 trialists and some youngsters. I know we had a lot also but still expected us to.have a bit to much for them today.

The lack of pace is a fair comment, we seem to have gone for size in our back line which probably suits our style of play at Odsal. I don’t know enough about McGowan to judge whether he can fill the massive gap that Holmes will leave whilst he is fighting his illness. Not sure what, if any is left in the pot but it seems like we might be a player or two short of troubling Toulouse or Wakefield as things stand.

Still early days and I’m sure players will become available, but clearly there are still a few gaps in the squad to think about.

Can't really argue with that analysis. Losing Holmes is a blow but we've not seen enough of McGowan yet to make a judgement. Jowitt will play a bit of fullback too.

As for the wingers I think having some size there certainly helps and it's preferable to a speedster who can't win a collision or who gets out jumped.

Ssssigh! Brings back fond memories of the Volcano in his pomp! A combination of Size & Speed!

It just feels like a big gamble to go with a loan player in such a pivotal position as FB. Obviously nobody could foresee the devastating news re Holmes but I'd be surprised if the club aren't looking at options. We do suddenly look vulnerable if we get an injury to Gaskell or Lilley.

At FB what do we currently have -

Billy Jowitt
Aiden McGowan

HB

Gaskell
Lilley
Jowitt can play there
Moss -but hasn't really been given enough minutes yet, over the next 2 friendlies i think he needs to at least start one of those imo to make an impact and see what he has to offer. As we already know what Lilley and Gaskell bring. He's highly rated, he to can also play FB apparently.

If we don't offer Moss a contract. It leaves us really light for half cover and fullback. So I think there's obviously a little bit of money there as we have potential 2 trialist to come in on contract. If only one or neither are offered we have a bit of a budget left. But not sure it would stretch that far to get the quality needed.

I'm abit concerned for Hooker cover as well, this is going be probably the most competitive championship with around 9 teams capable of making the top 6. Thrown in the New format of the 1895 cup more games. I'm not sure GFS has the legs left to go the season. Don't think any of the reserves promoted or academy players that we've seen so far are hookers either.

But every team could analyse their squads and have lack of cover and want more options. Going to be a very interesting season no matter what.

Barraclough is a hooker

Can't see McGowan being recalled, Giants have plenty of cover there.

Hooker is a worry. If anything happens to Souter then it's Hallas and Flanagan we're going with which will be a disaster.

Some nice worked tries for the wingers on Sunday which is pleasing and shows how we're hoping to play.

Goal-kicking is still a massive concern, we shouldn't be experimenting. Go with Lilley who we know will play every game and let him get as much practice in as possible.

Then what happens if he gets injured loses form or has an illness?? You still need other Players to be able to back up and they are the ones that need the goal kicking match practice even more than Lilly.

We need a full back, a ball playing loose forward and another mean prop imho,
Quality Half back cover would be good too, why we got rid of Lawford who could have been our next "Deacon" would have been super/

Re: Friendly #2 - Featherstone : Tue Jan 09, 2024 12:01 pm
We need a full back, a ball playing loose forward and another mean prop imho,
Quality Half back cover would be good too, why we got rid of Lawford who could have been our next "Deacon" would have been super/

Agreed on that especially the type of player at Loose Forward. Yeah not sure why Lawford didn't get more opportunities, strange one, but definitely a loss him going to Wakefield.

We didn't 'get rid' of Lawford. He was offered an improved deal and still chose Wakefield over us.

There's also very little point in spending big on the playing squad when even finishing top wouldn't see us in SL next year. Until we sort the stadium out, we're going nowhere regardless of how the team performs.