Lack of experience

[Mem]

Whilst no need to panic and I’m sure they’ll be plenty of twists and turns with transfers but as it stands in my opinion is severely lacking experience.

The emphasis on signing kids with huge potential is undoubtedly the way forward but to expect too many of them to hit the ground running quickly would be naive. One or two of them yes but not all.

In terms of experience (again, just my opinion);

Cook - will not start many games and his last injury is a tricky one.
Frey - missed all of preseason, will keep picking up injuries and never lasts more than 60 mins even when fit.
Field - a very ‘quiet’ player, needs to demonstrate more leadership and impose himself more.
JCS - still injured, no way he’ll start the season. Cannot be relied upon.
Fox and Colback - released by the looks of things

Who does that leave - Dunne only.

We need an Issac Hayden or a younger Jack Colback type.

Hopefully Nourry and Stephan don’t convince themselves that we’ll be ok as is.

Thoughts?

[Abseits]

I must've been abducted by aliens for a period cos I cannot for the life of me remember all the barnstorming performances Hayden must have delivered in order to get perpetually mentioned year on year as the final bit of the puzzle we need?

I agree our senior squad seems to have too many brittle injury-prone players. But, it's hard to address that as we don't have the budget to hold lots of bit-part or back-up players. We have to rely on the kids and dev squad to plug the holes. Overall, I'm content with that and it's now up to Morgan, Kohli and Lloyd etc to take their chance and make themselves hard to drop even when everyone's fit.

[davieqpr]

Don't think Chair would be happy to be forgotten so easily by you.

[Mem]

Don't think Chair would be happy to be forgotten so easily by you.

Fair play and let’s hope he can stay fit. Don’t get me wrong I love Chair but he’s not a leader in my opinion. When things aren’t going according to plan he can go missing and sulk. Just my opinion!

[daveshads]

Yes. Still missing some key elements. Signings provide much hope but perhaps not right here, right now. Let's never forget the "gnarly" nature of the championship. Pretty sure we (currently) are far from gnarly. That needs fixing.

[Darkranger]

I must've been abducted by aliens for a period cos I cannot for the life of me remember all the barnstorming performances Hayden must have delivered in order to get perpetually mentioned year on year as the final bit of the puzzle we need?

I agree our senior squad seems to have too many brittle injury-prone players. But, it's hard to address that as we don't have the budget to hold lots of bit-part or back-up players. We have to rely on the kids and dev squad to plug the holes. Overall, I'm content with that and it's now up to Morgan, Kohli and Lloyd etc to take their chance and make themselves hard to drop even when everyone's fit.

As I recall Hayden was a good player in a very average side. Had something about him, but like you I don't remember many "barnstorming" performances. The fact he hasn't managed to play more than 17 games in any of the 5 previous seasons means we won't be having him back anytime soon.

[Isleworth116]

Plenty of experienced players in squad. Field, Dunne , Cook, Chair, Frey, Celar, Madsen, JCS. I don't want players stepping down to us from premier league. I want players stepping up to us.

[Dono77]

Plenty of experienced players in squad. Field, Dunne , Cook, Chair, Frey, Celar, Madsen, JCS. I don't want players stepping down to us from premier league. I want players stepping up to us.

I think the op meant championship experience?? I still think we are missing genuine leaders. Apart from cook and dunne we are a nice quiet team. Not many nasty ####ers in there. Think that's where we will miss colback especially. Field isn't a leader. Not even sure hes guaranteed to start this season.

[Isleworth116]

I think the op meant championship experience?? I still think we are missing genuine leaders. Apart from cook and dunne we are a nice quiet team. Not many nasty ####ers in there. Think that's where we will miss colback especially. Field isn't a leader. Not even sure hes guaranteed to start this season.

Good point about Championship Experience and leaders. I don't think we afford players with 100+ Championship games. This season, roll dice, hope Dunne, Field, Frey, Chair, Varanne stay fit and can help young players.

I'm expecting tough season.