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bonaire "Quote: bonaire "This is the big question - what now? Indeed…
It’s frustratingly and extremely disappointingly true that we have gone backwards. We have undoubtedly signed (Sao, Satae, Swift, Reynolds, Mau, Jones, Fonua) and retained (Connor, Carlos, Griffin) quality players in the past few seasons, but for whatever reasons we still haven’t kicked on.
It is sadly true some of our key stalwarts are now showing real signs of being passed their best. It’s not their fault - all players drop in performance as they age - but it’s certainly not good enough for a club of our size and expectations. Big decisions have to be made for the Houghtons, Sneyds, Taylors etc if the club, who have lead the way to Wembley glory and are now leading us in the opposite direction.
I find it very hard to blame Hodgson, despite not always agreeing with his squad selection or sub rotations. But, it’s hard to spare him of at least some flack. He surely should have a big part to play in motivating his team and instilling confidence to execute effort and plays worked on in training. However, I’m happy to give him time - I just hope the club and fans have the same patience.
I feel anxious mostly about what it could mean more broadly for the club. If Pearson goes we really would be in poop street. He’s ploughed money into us since taking over and hasn’t seen any return in 4+ years. He surely can’t keep up losing money to a team getting worse, and who’s fans won’t turn up. It could mean real, real bad news. I hope I’m wrong and he’s committed to keep with us.
What now? Hopefully end the season with some sort of effort and roll on the pre season with a couple of half decent players going into next year.
Next year…'"
Its always next year Tommy
You make some good points but the key for next season will be whether we can offload some of the non performing players still under contract and that the club realise that several of our senior players are not good enough.
Its the only way the club can go forward.
Simply adding a wing and a new front row will not hide our inadequacies at half back or at nine.
We have seen the best of Taylor and i dont think he will ever get back to his form of two years ago but until we get some new blood with pace at half back and at nine this inability to convert possession in the opposition 20 into points will continue
to go into next season without these changes would be suicide in terms of season pass sales'"
Next year is a real dilemma for AP and the club as a whole. Its clear from the recent performances that we have big issues within the squad if it is up to the max of the salary cap given that the squad was reduced in numbers. The retention and recruitment since Motu left has certainly been poorer particularly in terms of retention over the last 2-3 years and the deals made retaining in terms of salary cap.
As good as Sneyd is at what he does unfortunately we need more from him and certainly in terms of reading and adapting/changing what he's doing during a game, it was interesting listening to Alan Hunt talk about Sneyd yesterday. Houghton unfortunately as good as he has been for us he no longer seems to offer much other than the number of tackles he makes and when he is a better option than the No.2 hooker we have problems. Taylor has been injured for a long periods now over the past couple of seasons and I doubt we will see him anywhere near to the player he was unfortunately. Bowden again another that has been absent for long periods over the past couple of seasons and looks to be some way off the player he was.
Over the years they have done well for us and been integral in what the club achieved but sadly they can not go on forever and think they and the club need a change to reinvigorate.
We have no pace or flair at 6, 7 or 9 and again are just far too predictable and easy to defend against and as was shown yesterday our defence was abysmal and we capitulated like previous seasons. The only player we have that genuinely gives us any flair or attacking option is Connor but opposing teams now know starve him of the ball & stifle him and they are pretty much guaranteed to win as has been proved as we have nothing else to offer.
Due to the poor retention and deals made AP and the club are now hamstrung and unless they can move out some players then next season will not be much better as the same issues will stil be there.
Add to the fact the covid situation has made things difficult for the club financially, the issues with the Allams/SMC in regards to the costs and use of the Stadium and not just the poor home form but the manner of the perfomance they put in at home (recent derby the exception) then things are looking very bleak for next season to be honest.