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Post by paulrossborough on Dec 7, 2018 19:14:50 GMT
It seems a while away still but as RW said recently, he is already looking at next year's squad. With this in mind, as well as the knowledge that he is aware of the need for more experience, given we are a year ahead and therefore still have some some players in the squad who we probably shouldn't expect to at this stage, what positions should we be looking to strengthen? Any particular players we may wish to recruit?
Personally I'd like to see a bigger pack, I think we are undersize generally. My biggest concern is probably 10, although WM seems to be finding his feet now, 12/13... we are ok at getting the ball out to the wingers but our defence is poor and there are time where we just don't seem to be able to get through so I'm think a more creative 12... although TF has done well there.
I suspect we will recruit for 1,2,3 and probably second row and some back row options.
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Post by titchywinger on Dec 8, 2018 0:27:51 GMT
A little early maybe to be discussing next years squad Paul, but as you say, Rowland Winter will definately be planning already. We have seen most of the new recruits this season get plenty of game time and by and large most have impressed. But I must say that it has been some of the existing players who have really stepped up to the plate and made it difficult for the coaches to leave them out. Guys like Max Trimble, Tom Jubb, George Oram, James Stokes, Rob Knox and Tony Fenner have been excellent. Plenty of the other players who have been here for a few years are still fighting tooth and nail to keep their place in the team.
Of course, to progress in this league we will have to recruit players to keep Cov going upwards. Phil Nilsen is retiring at the end of the season I beleive. Sam T, Latu, and Phil Boulton, all great players with tons of experience and are still doing the business, will be retiring soon. I am sure that RW and the other coaches will be looking to get players of the calibre of those four players on board.
A bigger pack is probably a must. The higher you go, the bigger the pack required. RW and the coaches will be scouting. Like you Paul, No 10 is a bit of a concern. I reckon Will is getting better all the time and he would seem to be above Jake Sharp in the pecking order. At times he is very good and when his confidence is high his passing and place kicking is excellent. Sadly, now and again he has a lousy game and if your No 10 has a lousy game the team has a lousy game. Of course, if the pack is under the cosh, so is the scrum half and so is the fly half. But in these higher leagues a top notch No 10 is essential. A No.10 who can dictate play and crucially kick the ball through the posts and keep the scoreboard ticking over is essential.A No.10 who will take charge in the dieing seconds and over rule your captain and coaches and kick that extra bonus point winning penalty is a leader. I hope Will can become that leader.
By the way. We have certainly missed Nile Dacres this season. What a player he was for us last year. A great athlete and always smiling. Wishing Nile a speedy recovery.
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Post by hoboal on Dec 8, 2018 23:18:22 GMT
Well it is fact RW is already looking ahead at recruitment. Things to consider are:
1. Great players like Sammy T and Latu. Can we squeeze another season out of them?
2. We got promoted a year early so are probably carrying a few contacted players bought for National League 1.
3. This is a big one for me. Packs are big in this league, but do you go for pure size or strength and mobility? We are still stepping up to full time so our players haven't even had half a season of full training. We are against teams who have had two or three years at this level. Yet today 8/12/18 the BIG Doncaster number 8 was blowing out his arse at half time. So bulk isn't everything.
4. Our young players and development players are full of promise.
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