Quote Hopwood="Hopwood"Is it just going to be more of the same or are we going to bring in an experienced coach who can motivate the players and put some attacking structure in place or are we going to keep taking other clubs rejects and short term second division French players and expecting a miracle. When are we going to hear something from the club?'"
I was thinking about this yesterday. To be honest there’s three options.
1. Change the coach.
2. Boost the playing squad.
3. Cut costs as much as possible with a view to remaining full time and being the front runner in championship 2024 - prepping early by retaining our youth and best players on SL/Championship agreements.
Both will cost. If we are to change the coach then I’d like to see Apelgarth back to assistant but there’s no point changing unless it’s a strong experienced coach. No Danny Wards or Radford etc. it needs to be a quality appointment.
If that’s not an option then there needs to be at least a plan to get our season going. The simple fact is that in the team there are passengers at the moment who should be leaders but are making errors and not performing to SL standard.
The right edge was appalling yesterday and not for the first time. All breaks and try’s came through the Lyne/Smith/Hewitt combination.
Lyne/Ashurst I have been incredibly disappointed with this season. Lyne looks a shadow of himself and checks his run jinking on the spot instead of running his weight which I have to say he doesn’t look very mobile for a back these days. He also shoots in way too much leaving Kershaw high and dry. I expect better from him.
I have backed Kay for the 9 role for a good while but I’m afraid after last few weeks I find him lacking in that role or certainly with us not on the front foot enough. Can’t see how Bowes doesn’t get in ahead of him. I won’t ever knock Kay for effort though.
I think radical changes are needed at the moment in the squad. The likes of Eseh/Bowes need to play I think now too.
Id like to see Shaw and Croft brought back. We are paying them anyway so just agree a contract with both and bring Croft into centre and Shaw for prop. Croft actually came good back end of last season in centre. We desperately need more pave and mobility out wide too and he has that. As we are already paying them it wouldn’t take a whole lot more imo.
People are giving Proctor a hard time. He’s not the issue. Teams carve us up on the edge all year. Though I want to see more from Proctor he doesn’t miss tackles, works hard and puts solid shifts in. The issue is further out.
If Mash is going to stay some positions need shaking up that’s for sure.