Leicester Tigers 2016/17 Squad/Transfers/Contract thread 4

[Chobbsy]

Gareth Owen

After dispensing with Betham and Pietersen we sign Dominic Ryan and now Gareth Owen its clear we have a coherent masterplan to get back to the top of english rugby.

Really - He told the club website: "I've enjoyed my time and was honoured to wear the jersey but have been frustrated with limited game time in recent months"

So why hasn't he been getting game time? Surely to get back to the top of English rugby we need signings of players at the top of their game?

[Iain]

So why mention Betham and JPP with Ryan and Owen if that wasn't the notion you where leading to?

Not like they are like for like signings in terms of positions.



Although on paper it does look very much like another pointless journeyman signing.

*JOURNEYMAN KLAXON*

[Iain]

Owen strikes me as a handy squad player to plug a gap. Fine by me. I don't think he's intended as a first choice.

[KevinR]

Gareth Owen was very unlucky that a bad knee injury interrupted his career and Scarlets now have a surfeit of centres. He was in the same Wales U20 group as Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies and Tipuric. We need these kind of players in our squad and a classy centre with a kicking game, who can also fill in elsewhere, could prove a very astute signing.

[Loob19]

More of a replacement for Jack Roberts?

[westwinds31]

We have to see how he goes before judging surely. I'm hopeful that the fact that he's been with one of, if not the best attacking side in the Pro 12 then he must have something about him. Also, if he's got any ambition, he'll not want to sit on our bench or in the A League so will come out fighting for a place.

[johnthegriff]

Good post by Westwinds, this is certainly the signing of a support squad player, more will depend on the players attitude than his history. There have been many cases if injury hit players coming good when the injury is behind them, Tait for one! For the player it is possibly a last chance to live his dream, when the opportunity arises he must have the courage to really go for it in whatever position. This might be a minor signing but it could be an important one.
I, like everyone else am looking for a couple of bigger name acquisitions, but to be honest I will just be happy when it is announced that our two first choice centres are fit and raring to go.

[drc_007]

I will just be happy when it is announced that our two first choice centres are fit and raring to go.

+1

[FrontRowUnionMember]

Happy we've addressed the issue of inside centre depth, and I'm more than happy to give Owen the benefit of the doubt as to how much impact he'll have. I like the fact he's asked to move as he wants gametime, not happy to just coast to pick up a wage.
However, culling our wingers now just leaves us lighter elsewhere.

Looking at the relevative (perceived) salaries of the three players concerned, you'd have to assume there is still a significant amount left to invest. Also, still some doubts that the exits are done, Locky, Croft and Tait were rumoured available, so potential further yet.

Assuming Locky and Croft were replaced my Mafi (and Mapapalangi??), and Tait was replaced by McKenzie, that wouldn't be some bad business. Maybe just enough left to bring one or two project winger/outside centre back in, maybe use O'Connor's Tongan contacts, a Polynesian wrecking ball, someone to stretch defence's??

Would still like to see another prop added, given we've seen Ayerza, Balmain and potentially Brugnara depart. May be a bit much of a stretch though.

Two big(ish) salaries out, in JPP and Betham.
Three lesser salaries in, in Owen, a 13 and a 11/14.

Three further salaries out in Locky, Tait and Croft.
Three back in, Mafi, McKenzie and maybe Mapapalangi.

[L Smith]

Happy we've addressed the issue of inside centre depth, and I'm more than happy to give Owen the benefit of the doubt as to how much impact he'll have. I like the fact he's asked to move as he wants gametime, not happy to just coast to pick up a wage.
However, culling our wingers now just leaves us lighter elsewhere.

Looking at the relevative (perceived) salaries of the three players concerned, you'd have to assume there is still a significant amount left to invest. Also, still some doubts that the exits are done, Locky, Croft and Tait were rumoured available, so potential further yet.

Assuming Locky and Croft were replaced my Mafi (and Mapapalangi??), and Tait was replaced by McKenzie, that wouldn't be some bad business. Maybe just enough left to bring one or two project winger/outside centre back in, maybe use O'Connor's Tongan contacts, a Polynesian wrecking ball, someone to stretch defence's??

Would still like to see another prop added, given we've seen Ayerza, Balmain and potentially Brugnara depart. May be a bit much of a stretch though.

Two big(ish) salaries out, in JPP and Betham.
Three lesser salaries in, in Owen, a 13 and a 11/14.

Three further salaries out in Locky, Tait and Croft.
Three back in, Mafi, McKenzie and maybe Mapapalangi.

I guess it's easy to assume that moving perceivably expensive players out, it will generate cap space for equally expensive players. I expect that wage inflation plays a big part in how much bang you can get for your buck: both with new signings and contract extensions. Take Owen Williams as an example; would we (even if we could) have paid him £400k p/a?
Who knows, maybe some of the other questionable squads: Sarries, Wasps, formerly Bath, may have gone over the top?!
I've also seen comments around Mermoz's salary cap space; he was an injury dispensation signing.
Cohen MOC and Glynn are probably the only ones who know what their budget is, who their real targets are and what value they place on those targets. Que sera sera etc

[Iain]

I'd say it is absolutely inconceivable that our summer business is over. I'm very confident that we'll have quality starting players arriving before too long.

[sapajo]

I'd say it is absolutely inconceivable that our summer business is over. I'm very confident that we'll have quality starting players arriving before too long.

It was absolutely inconceivable that would release two specialist number 8's last season and not replace any of them but we did.

[Iain]

Point taken, but I think this would be even more ridiculous. We'll be bolstering the backs, I'm quite sure.

[TTRITH]

Point taken, but I think this would be even more ridiculous. We'll be bolstering the backs, I'm quite sure.

On paper it looks like a starting back line as it currently stands for the start of the season of:

Tait; Veaniu, Manu, Toomua, Thommo; G. Ford, B. Youngs.

And a second choice of :

Worth; Holmes, Smith, Owen, Brady; J. Ford, S. Harrison.

A first choice winger to allow Veaniu to play full back is a definite I think. Maybe a utility back depending on what's happening with Catchpole, C. Thacker and the Olowofela twins.

[tigerburnie]

Granted we have a different coaching team, but our track history of turning round players who came to us as relative unknowns and turning them into starters is there for all to see. We do not need "stars", we already have plenty, we need players hungry to get into the match day squad and I am seeing evidence of that happening with some astute signings.