There will be. Don't forget that there are quite a few boys on two year contracts like Neil mason, Simon hunt, Ollie Thomas. The only people leaving are Glyn Hughes, Addison lockley, Ben pienaar, brad Davies (retiring), Sam Wilkes (released), brad hunt(retired). I would only expect a couple more to go. One lad is contemplating retirement, but I hope he stays. There should be about 14 or 15 retained from this years squad...... Amazing difference from last year when no one had been retained yet. This is the massive ( and probably most important) difference in the Maggs regime.
This is excellent news, all we need now is to get the rest of the squad signed up and a few new additions for next season. Maybe we could even be looking at a top half finish next term?
Strange one for me. Know Ollie is a supporters favourite and all that but I think it's clear From his public utterances that Kevin doesn't see him as a first line 10 as he's made known concerns about defensive frailties. If thats the case hIs selection is based on place kicking ability and he will have to be shoe horned in somewhere out of position. Not ideal from an attacking perspective. Know he makes a fist of 9, 10, wing and 15 so is good to have round for his versatility but from a players perspective that's not really the best of arrangements. At 10 I hope we give Caolon Ryan a chance and strongly suspect he will due to his recall from Stour last weekend.
Ollie will be valuable in the squad if only to teach the young newcomers what it mens to pull on the red n black, and I'll never forget his season-saving tackle on a large lad from Otley a few years back. Welcome back Ollie!
slight surprise for 2 years, but he has been around the championship for a long time now and knows it inside out. To have a utility back with a respected boot isn't a bad thing at all, and is playing things safe in light of Glyn's departure. Who knows Kevin might have an eye on a Stand Off who can run and control a game but is not necessarily a place kicker.
Strange to me to want to stay when the coach clearly has reservations. Every player has a preferred position and wants regular rugby I'd have thought. If he's not a starting 10 then the trade off is playing someone out of position for their kicking ability. From what I've seen we've missed Billy's attacking threat when he's not played 15. Could play wing I suppose but most halves who stand in at wing are usually of limited threat to opponents (healey exempted from that!) suppose that utility players are more important to a club with a small playing budget and that is something Kevin realises.
Think you've hit the nail on the head there RnB. Ollie's coverage of a number of positions is invaluable given the budget constrainst in which Kevin has to operate. He's unlikely to start many Championship games next season but I expect he'll be on the bench more often than not. And if we're 2 points down with minutes to play, who would you rather bring on? His drop goals at Twickenham and from inside our own half (against Bees?) merit a prolonged stay on their own!
Think this is where budgets really come into play. Top 4 sides can afford specialist cover in almost all positions. There has been times this season when we've been forced to start with 3 of our 5 outside backs out of position. No wonder sometimes we've looked a bit toothless in the backs. All considered we've done we'll to be so competitive all things considered. Still think we missed Hayter big time and should have replaced him with a specialist 12.
This is great news indeed. It also reflects well on the club. These are talented players but, with the greatest of respect, still have things to learn. It is great for all of us that they have chosen to stay another season, but, let's be honest, they are destined for greater things. I sincerely hope that their patience will be well rewarded in the future.
Post by Westcountry Mose on Apr 26, 2013 13:00:54 GMT
I am also glad to see these players committing themselves to the club for a further stint. Whilst it may be some way off, a future Mason/Thomas coaching team would reflect the ethos of 'promoting from within'.
