Quote: Jake the Peg "Let's agree that obst is better than what we have now which is nothing. Let's also agree that up until a couple of days ago that we did have a quota spot available and have since berrigan came off the quota 5 or 6 months ago. Therefore, anyone on my list could have been a viable option for the club. On the basis that wire, who are probably the club who are least interested in money over the strength of their squad, were prepared to sell us myler then probably everyone on your list could have been a potential at the right price (although the price may have been unpalatable or unaffordable but neither of us know that for a fact so let's not get into a pointless debate about it).'"
I agree. The failure to use up a quota spot effectively is poor. Obst is better than nothing but not ideal. I would go along with the "it's only a one year deal" view if I thought we had great plans in the halves for 2012. My personal view is that the much-rumoured big HB signing could, like any other club's, be scuppered by the tax changes. We would hypothetically then be presented with another problem - increase the offer to the player or end up looking for a quality British HB like everyone else. With this in mind, I think the club have actually targetted the closest thing to the right player in Myler. I also understand why the player would not want to move at the back-to-back cup winners with Briers approaching retirement.
Quote: Jake the Peg "We have also spent a significant fee on a player who doesn't address an immediate recruitment need so money was (and still appears to be) available.'"
I agree it's a weird choice for 2011. But I also think that for 2012 and beyond Westerman and Sharp will be valuable quality British players. We're also a prop short so although we have depth in the back row this might allow a bit of rotation.
Quote: Jake the Peg "Without long and/or horne, we struggled last season for direction during games. For me, obst doesn't offer that. He's a half decent back up hooker who's main attributes seem to be his elusive running allied to some pace off the mark. I don't ever remember watching him play and thinking he's really controlled a game. Last season he was probably behind newton, leo-latu, jeffries and brough at wakey before the season started so it gives you an indication of his quality. If we'd announced his signing 6 months ago no one would have been thinking it was a good signing, in the same way phelps was "garbage" until we didn't have a full back with less than a week to go before the start of the season.'"
Can't disagree with much of that. Although Phelps I think might be better than "garbage". Personally I've been after us having a mature head in the backs like a Domic type player as our backs are quite young, and think a player like Phelps might go OK.
Quote:
Jake the Peg "The real crux of the issue here is that the club knew at least 8 months ago (probably longer) that our options at half back were inadequate. So the question is why have we failed to bring someone in in all that time? Also, why is a club with a full salary cap available going into the new season with a paper thin squad? If we look at what we have, then I think you'll agree that recruitment for 2011 has fallen way short
I get it and have posted much the same myself. I also think there's a question mark around the other dimension of squad balance ie the salary bandings, but without an up to date Powerpoint presentation, I can't make an informed comment. ![]()
Thank fook for that 
