Scottish heritage

Hood 100 % improves us, a great signing. Gaskill improves the squad as long as he isn't at fullback and I just don't see Chester dropping Miller or Lino. If Tom Lineman is coming then one of Johnson, Kay or Kershaw must be leaving That said with Westerman going and no doubt from the way he is been used Hampshire not been offered a new deal then those two will be a massive loss I just think that the place needs a lift, some excitement, a change. A new coach like Brian Mcdermott, Danny Ward or Paul Rowley would energise the place, challenge the players, excite the fans.

What about Batchelor he is out of contract and we have retained both Crowther and Ashurst so will he be another for the chop despite his age and obvious ability.

As much as I like Ashurst I personally would be disappointed if we gave him a 2 year deal but end up letting Batchelor go, unless he didnt want to stay of course.

I suppose when you have a brother who has a challenge cup winner’s medal after only 8 games in SL. I suppose it makes him question if there is anything better out there.

I agree and I think Batchelor has been better than both the above this year.

Something doesn’t add up to me though and correct me if I’m wrong but we are losing a total of 13 players from present squad. Yet only have 4 new signings incoming.

We have been on a shoestring to name 17 this year a number of times so it seems dangerous to me. I can take shaving a few players off the 13 but not replacing 9 players seems a tad extreme to me.

OUT from 2021 (to date)

Walker
Hampshire
Batchelor*
B. Walker
Tangata
Green
K. Wood
J.Wood
Kershaw*
Greensmith
Westerman
Senior
Arundel

The stars are the only ones Id keep.

4 players incoming + Gaskell.

There’s still a few gems out there available and I’d be looking at Batchelors older brother too Joe Batchelor who’s had a lot of game time at saints this year and looked good.

We really do desperately need 2/3 props at least though imo.

Props
Out:
Tangata
Green?

We went into this season light at props before these two above. We are already playing a second row at LF in Tanginoa too!

Then there’s the 9 situation with only Bowes on the books.... we need 2 x 9s no doubt.

That’s already the 4 players covered that are mentioned by CC.

Just doesn’t add up to me.

Next season with potential reduction to 10 season after the league finishing position could be absolutely crucial imo. Can you imagine trying to force a club finishing 5th/6th for example into the second split of 10?

If there’s ever a season to speculate it’s next season (if the new structure gets go ahead).

I was disappointed we gave him a 2 year deal. He’s been awesome In past for us but he hasn’t shown any consistent good form recent 2 years. I mean we have tanginoa who was carving out MOTM performances repeatedly at left second Row spot. I just cant rack my head around it unless Chester thinks Ashurst can replace Westerman at 13 (that’s where I would move him).

Batchelor of all the forwards out of contract this season has been the one who has earned a deal the most. He’s a great option off the bench and still easy to forget he’s 23.

I know, it doesn't matter. All about where he played his junior rugby which was in Australia.

Ben McKenna has done his usual back page article in today's Wakey Express and quotes Chester...

"Fingers crossed we have got an overseas player over the line this week. We just want to add some real quality to the squad....spending more to get more quality players in"

So, read into that what you will, but McKenna also says that we play Shudds at Belle Vue on Sunday

In CC's interview, he states that there are 4 incoming players, other than the one announced (Gaskell) and they are looking at 2 other signings. Why are you assuming that we are losing all the ooc players?

Maybe it isn’t just the out of contract guys that are leaving…

All well and good Fil getting more quality in the squad which is what we as fans pray for ,but do we not also require these new stars to be coached to a higher standard than we have at present , for our team to progress instead of stagnate . My fear is that these new quality players we bring in will just settle into camp easy and not fulfil their full potential. I’ll be honest here and say that I’m a little bit underwhelmed by what the head coach and his assistants have achieved albeit with all the upheaval of the COVID struggles . It just feels to me that we are just lumbering on until the end of the season with nothing as such to play for . But for me they should be playing every game for the fans and the pride in wearing the shirt ,and I hope on Sunday they prove me wrong .