I think most of those will have taken place around 2019 & 2020 a totally different view on tackling techniques. I wonder how Ray Price would survive these days with his cumberland throw tackle.

I would be happy with that if it’s the case. Really rate him. I do think given the chance though that Bowes could become a very good 9. He’s one tough lad.

Been told there are plenty of hookers round that district,

I just hope Kendall isn't in charge for Taufua's first game or else we might only see him for 10 minutes. Any excuse to penalise a Wakey player.
I did think looking at his highlight reel that playing like that in a Wakey shirt might see him up before the disciplinary every other week.

The way the rugby side of things at the club were conducted over the last couple of years was terrible in my opinion. Chester and his influence put the club back years. However recent things I have been hearing and these signings have given me confidence and revived my interest .
Well done to all concerned as mistakes have obviously been recognised and we are back moving in the right direction.

I don't totally agree with you and PB I've heard the same nonsense as you about the alleged wages of certain signings - they are utter rubbish.

That said I think we will agree on one thing, WP likes his tougher player, who can tackle. Toughness is by far the thing most lacking in the team in recent years, I'd go as far as saying we had gone soft.

Hall, Murphy, Whitbread, Bowden Taufua, Evans and Butler all have one thing in common, they can tackle and seem to be a bit tougher mentally.

I like Hood, don't see the problem. Lineham and Gaskel can't tackle and don't get stuck in, as is the case with a few others. That can't be changed overnight but these signings are positive.

We are moving forward, but will be held back because of long contracts for the Chester signings ,Not enough cash to ditch them.

We are going to have to be canny with Lineham and Gaskell.

Lineham is a waste of space at SL level but he might do ok in the lower leagues on loan. They won't pay his full salary but they may take some of the sting away from it.

Same with Gaskell, but he has more ability and may well appeal as a playmaker to a championship side, who in turn may take up much of his salary if taken on loan.
If not make him Reserve captain in the hope that he can pass on some of his undoubted skills to some of the younger players.

Shame really, and although they are not on the silly money I've heard mentioned they still take up a good chunk.

If Miller goes I'm quite looking forward to seeing who Willie finds to replace considering his recent recruits.
Listening to Solomona and Arona podcasts, Willie is well regarded back home so will have connections.

Personally I think the days of bulky wingmen like Lineham are a thing of the past. The game has moved on to more athletic and speed based outside backs. Ryan Hall and Tom Lineham are pretty much two of the old style wingers that are left remaining.

I think Chester really made an error with that. He seemed to believe that we required some big yardage out of the danger zone and that a big winger was the way to go. He was simply wrong.

I found it a strange signing as we had Kershaw who was playing better than Lineham, TJ and a promising winger in Murphy but here we are. I guess it’s the length that surprised me.

I don’t think Lineham is a bad player. I just think his style no longer suits the top level game. See Charnley, same applies.

I would be looking to loan Lineham out if possible. That said I thought he was solid vs Hull and Wire but Salford he really struggled. Admittedly his two solid performances he had Batch inside him who is much better defensively that Minns and Croft.

Gaskell as you say has more utility value in him so I can take that a bit more. But I’m hindsight and at the time i think Hampshire offered more. I still maintain Gaskell is a plsyer that looks all class but on the inside just isn’t able to produce it with anything remotely consistent. A club like ours need consistency especially in key positions. Again I would look to loan him out. Fev have just lost Kerrelah. He would be an ideal short term solution for them and we could keep an eye on his progress.

I like how you rip into me calling battye my scapegoat but your doing the same with two quality players in their time who are not performing as they should