You're not expecting wonders from the conditioning coach then?

i know what your saying about the prop thing but still think hooker is the issue.Owen is still 2-3 years away till he can be considered. too small and too young at the mo leave him to develop. Gibson is not a hooker by any stretch of the imagination, was truly awful when he played there last year, anyone is a hooker if he is being considered. And i am not so sure about having your 1st choice scrum half as your rotating hooker as well.
The winger position has not really bothered me at all to be honest, gibson broughton, gleeson,clay, henry even steff, unlike the hooking position you really can place almost any back there if needs be. i think Gibson and jodie will be 1st choice and will be great next year and will score a bagful, having decent centres next too them will make a big difference attacking and defensively

Palfrey has gone to Blackpool IIRC

Not according to Malc he isn't.

I'm not implying that, I'm saying we've been told that it looks like Owen will be our No2 hooker next season but we [iwill[/i get injuries and if one should come at the hooking role then Smith [icould[/i cover with Ratchford or Sneyd coming in at half back.

I'm only posting what the coaching staff are thinking.

Now thats a decent typo if I've ever made one!

I had heard that but I just don't recall reading anything official. Cheers.

Now thats a decent typo id I've ever made one!

I had heard that but I just don't recall reading anything official. Cheers.

well if thats what the coaches are saying then he must be , but i am surprised as personally I felt he did ok when he came on last year but it was only potential I saw and at 17 for me he is way too young!! think steff made his debut as a 16/17 yr old looked okay and then we put him back in the academy for a few more years to develop and it worked a treat. I just presumed we would follow the same route with Owen

First person who seems to have said what I'm thinking.

In terms of ball distribution, Gibson was even slower than Alker when passing from the play the ball when he filled in last season.

Don't worry Malc's coaching him now so we'll see a dramatic improvement

Whoa I'm not supporting the idea just relaying messages.

Most of the staff have been on there hols etc . so no surprise , think we will see a ramp up from the Media people as they return to training , then you've got the season ticket deadline , etc. guess there keeping the powder dry until the trade press get back from the 4 nations.
so still alot of time for deals , I'd be happy with the recruitment so far anyway .

there was talk about Rhino's Paul Mcshane coming on loan as cover in the hooking role , however since the defection to Bulls by Diskin that will have changed.

It wasn't specifically aimed at you - I've noticed that several people have mentioned playing him at hooker on numerous occasions throughout the season based on a couple of 20 minute stints. Granted, I might be being harsh myself judging on only a small sample but I'd prefer us to go for a more natural player in the position, especially given Gibson's sometimes less than convincing defence.

Palfreys gone Preston Grasshoppers RU.

Of which I can only honestly describe one as a genuine prop of modern day standard. As ever, happy to be wrong.

RP, your standards are just too high fella. Anyhow, which IS the "one" ? as I see at least three. Are you talking technique, ability, endeavour or promise ?