The massive pack thing is a myth that seems to get peddled every year for some reason.
Our forwards last year weren't all that big tbh and some of the smallest men were actually the most effective.

i know, it gets thrown around on here a lot as a stick to beat our forwards with, Cator was excellent when he's been on the field for you.

Of course it not just about size. Warren Stevens et al prove that.

But we have been lacking go forward in our pack, that's just a fact.

e.g) Mulhearn - average gain 6.82, Jason Clark - 5.64, Matt Davis - 6.64 to name a few

Jason Clark the wire legend? Lovely bloke though….

Unpopular opinion I know, but Powell gets the whole season for me, unless we're under genuine relegation threat with eight games to go and desperate for a bounce or whatever.

The club have backed him, and if we want to think long term then we have to go with that and see where it leads. Another season like this one and yes, change has to happen then, but six games, Easter, whatever, then no. Too early.

Before anyone starts, yes, I'm a season ticket holder and watched the whole of 2022 through tortured eyes, but you don't give him the backing we have to build his own squad and then sack him a month in after a few defeats. That gets you nowhere.

Goodness me. Brace yourself.

a month in……to season 2.

He will have a very different squad in season two to season one, and he's been given the backing to bring in the players he wants and ship out those he doesn't want. That warrants more than a month to see what transpires.

May I be the first to welcome you and your positivity to this forum. (Even if I did initially misread your name as Bristol Preacher).

I think I've already stated on here (probably this thread) that, unless next season is on a par with this year, Powell will not be fired.. I suspect that, despite rumours of an alcohol-influenced Fitzpatrick saying otherwise, Powell will get plenty of slack next season, and as long as we are showing some improvement, then a top 6 finish will be seen as acceptable.

I think season 3 is going to be the acid test for this whole project - little point in handing Powell a 3 year deal, along with the clear out/rebuild task he was obviously handed, if you are going to then bottle it and sack him a month into season 2.

Throw in that all the new arrivals next season have 2 year deals and it's obvious that next season is seen as the settling in and building year, followed by the real trophy quest in 2024.

It's not without its risks, but it's a strategy that makes sense, albeit it requires lots of patience on the fan's part.

The reason Powell doesn't get all season for me is based on the fact I expect Leigh to be at least 3 wins better than Toulouse. Which would put us in deep doo doo if Powelly serves up the same.

Pressure is on Powell..if at the halfway point, we're not 8 pts or more from safety, i don't have faith in Powell getting us safe.

Powell is okay as long as we're clear from relegation? What the hell has this club become? Sack the bloke tomorrow and get a real coach in charge.

I think the plan for this season is pretty clear, and it doesn’t need much time to gel. It’s simply putting big bodies on the field to create enough momentum for Clark/Williams/Dufty to do something with it. There is no craft of guile in the outside backs (although carrying vacancies) so any creativity is all on Williams and Dufty. I’d argue, even including Ratchford/Matautia/Wrench our player most likely to create chances through passes or kicks is Currie, Williams & Dufty aside.

We’ll know sooner rather than later whether the plan is working. I fear that without Williams in particular we are in trouble. Kicking from open play isn’t necessarily his strong suit, but he is the only one I can see putting in an effective kick to build pressure or create chances.

I’m hopeful for a strong start though, with the World Cup year pushing the season earlier in 2022, and not making play offs, we’ve had our feet up for 5 weeks longer than we would have expected. Even Williams (who is most likely to play in the WC from our bunch) has had a decent rest already.

well, after having done benidorm for a week, ogi has come back and got a massive back tattoo started, though in fairness does seem to be still going the gym on his own

We'll be fine next year we've got a Dominant pack with Speed to burn across the park. My only worry is left Centre and a halfback partner for Williams.
Also hearing Holmes is on his way out the club, don't believe it myself but some rumours do happen.