LEICESTER TIGERS 2019/20 SQUAD/TRANSFERS/CONTRACT THREAD PART 3

[Leicestertinytiger]

If Jonny May isn’t happy with the contract the club has tabled, then let him go. The club has obviously prioritised Ford and Genge staying, something we all would probably agree is the right decision.

Stop blaming the club, it’s out of their hands. With the salary cap they can’t just stump up imaginary money. Also when it comes to wingers, the premiership is full of quality finishers. Is May a better player than Holmes? Undoubtedly yes.

However, could 99% of the opportunities the team creates that May scores be finished by Holmes? Probably yes. Therefore the team isn’t broken without May. If Ford was missing, that would be a whole other dilemma.

I obviously want May to stay. But it’s not the end of the world like some on here make out if he did go.

[JP14]

Apparently May hasn’t really got any offers from any other Premiership clubs, this was before the COVID-19 crisis. If he does go onto another club, yes it will be probably on more than what he was offered to stay at Tigers, but I really doubt it will be higher than what he is paid now.

[WhitecapTiger]

I think it was mentioned somewhere else in this thread....but I would assume that Tigers offering £100k pa less would be their starting point, I'd be surprised if we didn't negotiate with Johnny to a mutual point, or the furthest we are willing or able to go at least, if he's not content with that then sadly part ways.

[Scott1]

I love me some Holmes,when weve used him correctly hes proved he runs the most devastating lines since a prime Chris Ashton. Holmes,Veainu,Nadolo could be a tremendous back 3!

[teds]

I hated playing at Ampthill, standards of pitch, clubhouse and facilities nowhere near championship quality! But that's beside the point, Tigers could have signed Costelow on a 5 year contract to get money from the WRU but the difference with Redpath is that having been snapped by EJ then playing for the U20s it was clear he wanted to play for England not Scotland.

I'm sure Costelow always intended to play for Wales, which I think is the difference.

I am intrigued when you played at Ampthill JP14. Was it on the pitches level with the club house which are only really suitable for mud-wrestling or the two new pitches at the top which are ok if a bit exposed to the elements.

[Scott1]

So if it was the first game of next season how do we line up?
Genge
Youngs
Cole
Lavinini
?
Liebenberg
Tafua
Brink
Youngs
Ford
Holmes
?
Manu
Nadolo
Veainu

Thoughts?

[sam16111986]

So if it was the first game of next season how do we line up?
Genge
Youngs
Cole
Lavinini
?
Liebenberg
Tafua
Brink
Youngs
Ford
Holmes
?
Manu
Nadolo
Veainu

Thoughts?

One of Reid, Eastmond, Hardwick or Taute will be at 12. Hopefully we get another unit of a second row in.

Be nice to be able to rotate Lavanini with another monster so we could go dual monster or monster plus lineout specialist Green or monster plus mobile option Wells/Batley as the opposition and game plan requires.

Unsure whether Tom Youngs will remain the first choice for much longer. Kerr should be pushing him hard and the new Georgian is an experienced operator.

[Traveller]

If Jonny May isn’t happy with the contract the club has tabled, then let him go. The club has obviously prioritised Ford and Genge staying, something we all would probably agree is the right decision.

Stop blaming the club, it’s out of their hands. With the salary cap they can’t just stump up imaginary money. Also when it comes to wingers, the premiership is full of quality finishers. Is May a better player than Holmes? Undoubtedly yes.

However, could 99% of the opportunities the team creates that May scores be finished by Holmes? Probably yes. Therefore the team isn’t broken without May. If Ford was missing, that would be a whole other dilemma.

I obviously want May to stay. But it’s not the end of the world like some on here make out if he did go.

Agree with all of this. I’ve been critical of the Board, the CEO (in particular), coaching (especially under Murphy). However at long last there seems to be a plan.

The weakest forward back five in the premiership for many season was strengthened by the arrivals of Lavannini, Taufua and Leibenberg. Credit for retaining the services of Genge, Ford, Ben Youngs. Wasn’t there a rumour of Manu departing at one stage?

The emergence and encouragement of homegrown talent is very positive. It's shameful that Manu was the last homegrown player to play regularly for Tigers and become an established international player. Costelow’s departure is disappointing, but only one club in the Premiership has been able to keep all of its talent, and that club will play in the championship next year.

I can’t really see that there can be too much gnashing of teeth about the other older departures. There's an element of being damned if you and and damned if you don't by offering contracts to Spencer, Thompson, Kalimafoni, Thompstone. Henry and Brink may be the best signings for years or a waste of money who arrived unproven / injured. Time will tell.

I don't see the May situation as a Board failure. It's for him to decide. The club cannot win every battle and it would seem that other clubs aren't fighting with each other to sign him. That's the salary cap for you. He has played 43 times for Tiger / scored 140 points. Holmes has played 39 / scored 120. Nadolo will be with us for the whole season, and provides a unique threat.

So are we in a better place today than we were this time last year? I think we are because there seems to be a plan and a coherence to recruitment, development and retention. Not to mention Borthwick’s joining.

[FrontRowUnionMember]

Just a thought here. But wasn’t there a suggestion we were going down the route of one power winger, one pace. Nadolo is the only power winger I’d say. The likes of Homes, Aspland-Robinson, Olowofela and Veianu are more pace/footwork. So, assuming we have secured Nadolo, and yet are still trying to secure May (albeit on lesser terms) does suggest the budget is still there. So if May leaves, could we go shopping for a project Pacific Island bruiser outside back. Afterall could McGinty is credited with having decent contacts in the Southern Hemisphere.

I’d prefer May stayed, but there should be alternatives. If we get the balance right in the pack, and improve the urgency and dynamism around the park, ball should be on a plate for whoever is out there.
Lock to replace Spencer, 7/8 to replace Thompson, and maybe an outside back if required. Time to get scouting round the French leagues, we’ve picked up some today players from their second tier. Some tidy islanders or Georgians available surely.

[RagingBull]

Well we offered May 200,000.
So if he doesn't join that 200,000 should be able to be used on another winger.

[Scott1]

Thanks RB!

[BFG]

Well we offered May 200,000.
So if he doesn't join that 200,000 should be able to be used on another winger.

Given the current circumstances 200k pa is a lot of money to be signing away.
If it's still open then it is a very good offer.

[Scott1]

What's he on now,250k?

[RagingBull]

What's he on now,250k?

Around 300 last I heard.

[Scott1]

Thanks RB!