RagingBull wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2024 10:21 pm
AVDF is nominated for Nottingham player of the season
I guess him at LH and if Hoyt can progress in the off season, we are prob ok for props.
Maybe see front row options like
1. Smith, Cronin, Whitcombe, AVDF, (Miell, Kingsley-Mellowes)
2. Montoya, Clare, FTT, Vanes, (Smith, Clarke)
3. Cole, Heyes, Hurd, Hoyt, (Mountford, Maka)
I worry about Hurd, he doesn't do anything for me i'm afraid - at 24 I don't think he should be smashed at the set piece like he does seemingly every week. Hopefully the scrum generally can become a real asset next season because as we've all noted the impact off the bench at the moment is pretty average at best.
Second row looks decent with Martin, Chessum, Wells, Hatherall, Chessum L etc
Back Row worries me outside our starting 6 & 7 - Liebenberg, Reffell, after which we are hoping that Carnduff, Beets, Ilione are able to step up week in week out as I don't see Cracknell offering much (maybe more as a 6 but that is where Carnduff is likely to play). Unless Beets is the signing of the century then a lack of specialist 8 is likely to bite us as I don't see Hanro being good enough in the big games - his best position is 6.
SH - JVP is great but unless YBY has an indian summer the drop off is pretty stark.
FH - Handre is world class and Shilcock is okay for the PL as a stand in.
Centres - Perese, Kelly & Kata is a good start and then we'll need Woodward to step up which isn't unreasonable but still a risk
Wingers - OHC good if we play to his strengths (as on Saturday at times) - the rest is pretty one paced unless Watson is fit
FB - well stocked with Steward, Brown & Shillcock but they'll also be covering other positions
I think the summary is that if we get a few injuries we are stretched and the drop off at 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12/13 and wingers is pretty brutal. That is quite a chunk of the squad IMO - particualrly when you have almost guaranteed call ups at 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 15 to contend with.
The reality of keeping your best 15 or 18 players fit & available for 80%+ of the season is remote so i do worry that unless the youngsters step up and hit their levels we are looking at a pretty tough season again.
Hopefully the 2 extras will be of a high quality and help build depth in these key positions that look a little light IMO