Whilst that's true, I just don't think it can all be done in one close season without compromising on the players coming in. It comes down to simple numbers and the fact that Horne has a contract for next season and 2 of our centres don't. I expect to see us make a concerted effort for a halfback in time for 2014, unless one of Ellis/Nicklas claims the spot in the meantime.

I am one of Horneys biggest critics, but tbf he has not being too bad imo, yes his game is a tad predictable and his long kicking game is pants but he is defending fairly well, and passes the odd decent pass out. I think Rich knows that Ellis is on his heels waiting for an opportunity and this is keeping his game fairly consistent.

I've wondered whether signing a new no6 and moving Horne to centre is the best option for next year. Horne is a solid defender and his short kick throughs would be an asset near the line/corner.

he's in danger of becoming fc's forgotten man this season

But it has to be worrying when he changes position in an effort to improve his first team chances and then can't claim that position as his own for the 20s.

That's surely Mike Burnett, I haven't seen or heard anything about him since about November?

was injured for a few weeks wasn't he?

Yes, but as I pointed out in the other thread, it wasn't Gentle's preferred choice. Whiting went straight to full back when McKinnon went off, and that only changed when Martin had to leave the field.

I don't think we needed to sign him back, TBH. Reckon we only did because we were a little low on numbers with cap space burning a hole in our pocket. Think it may have cost him now, as I can't see us keeping him and I don't see SL clubs being interested after he spends the season in the 20s/NL. The better move for him might have been if he could have got a SL contract elsewhere on the back of last year at Harlequins.

its the 1 thing im not happy with this season! The 20s are a mess. Lyne been playing in centre cos aint really no one else too,cos shaul is just a full back. Shaul got injured on sunday n Lyne went too 1. Did ok too,set 2 up and scored a good fullbacks try following a forward around waiting for a break. We sent load out on loan,half backs in 1st team and injuries. Think we need to get team together as much as possible and try build a winning mentality and play some good stuff. Then loan players for experience here n there. 20s n the way they are currently playing do not resemble how the 1st team play which was supposed to be the plan wasnt it,same structures etc. All sundays game relied on was the star men Lyne,green or crooks to do something 1 off. Crooks got a hattrick but barely touched the ball in a reasonable position other than them 3 times,lineham i dont think got 1 clean pass,pretty much same jack briscoe. Think ellis n nicholas will be back in 20s soon which will help them,and with pearce back n maybe burnett soon could maybe get back on track n play winning stuff that resembles what 1st team are doing.

The problem with that is he couldn't, hence why he was available.

I presume you mean no long kicking game, which I've already explained shouldn't even be his role in our squad anyway. He still has pace, just not as much as he had before, look at the pace he had to make the try saving tackle against Myler(?) in our opening game. Martin is doing a good job for us, without doing anything outstanding. A big signing in the centre would do us the world of good.

I don't think Horne is a better stand off than Martin is a centre, they both need replacing if we want to compete consistently.

People defending horne want to ask themselves which other club in the top 6 would want horne at 6? Good servant to the club but never been top class and we need better if we are to challenge for trophies consistently

None of them. However, we can't expect to have our full roster as top players within the space of one season. We need another centre, prop and 6 and we could be there of there abouts, but I think with Seymour in the halves and Ellis/Nicko back up that Horney isn't our priority for next season. If we can change them all in one season then that's a bonus. In my humble opinion, of corse