Jordan James is going to be, what? Our 6th or 7th choice prop hardly desperation just another big body. We won a playoff game last year starting Andy Powell, I think we'll be alright with James.
Quote: DaveO " Which top class players have we signed with all the money raised by selling him and anyone else?.'"
Well last year we paid for Green and Taylor and that worked out pretty well. This year we've paid for Clubb, Bateman and I think Sarginson. If they don't work out fair enough but they've all been internationals at various levels and the later two started out well. Presumably we have money should anyone else require a fee, we don't have to spend it straight away.
Just because people on here don't think these players are going to be as good as the ones they're replacing or wouldn't have wanted them before they were signed doesn't mean the coaching staff don't know what they're doing. Have we not learned from the Finch and Leuluai for Green and Smith swap. We got two half backs who might not look as good on paper from unfashionable teams but they complement each other and have particular skills the previous players don't, which made us a better team. While it is concerning to lose players of Hansen's experience, not to mention all the others we've lost, he was never the best in attack. In the last 4 years Hansen has scored 3, 5, 3 and 1 tries whereas the other second row (JT, RH, GH, LF) has scored 13, 10, 11 and 12. That's not to mention clean breaks, try assists or just meters made carrying the ball. I think Clubb or Bateman could step up and offer much more attacking threat and work and still be solid in defence if not necessarily as good as Hansen possibly meaning we're more complete and dangerous overall.
Obviously the the club could've got it completely wrong and none of the new players will hold a candle to Hansen but after the last couple of years and the play from people like Flower, Smith, Green and Taylor and the results in big games last year I'm willing to give them a chance. Rather than saying 'that sounds daft to me, they've cocked up' I'll give the people privy to far more information with proven track records a chance before I light my torch, grab my pitch fork and take to the streets.
I really thought that after last year people might have learnt to at least let things play out. I'm not saying don't question the club, I just find it strange that some people continually make out as if they're making massive cock ups when we continue to win, finish high up the table and collect trophies.