Confirmed Squad So Far

[owain]

Was discussing announced signings the other night at the MSA AGM and thought I'd knock up a post about it!

Props: Ben Betts, Joe Foreman, Lewis Holsey, David Langley, Ethan Priest, Chris Romano (6)
Hookers: Sam McNulty, Ryan Roach (2)
Second Rows: Callum Allen, Harry Butler (2)
Back Rows: Morgan Dawes, Jack English, Ben Morris, Suvwe Obano, Will Safe, Ollie Stedman, Batsirai Zindi (7)
Forwards: 17

Scrum Halfs: Jack Jolly, Freddie Painter (2)
Stand Offs: Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley (1)
Centres: Ollie Allsopp, Elliot Creed, Rob Knox, Isaac McNulty (4)
Back Three: Dan Brough, Andy Bulamakau, Tuoyo Egodo, Sam Pointon, Aquile Smith (5)
Backs: 12

Will update the post once further signings are announced, as it feels like we may be due some more names before the Development players get announced.

[andyj]

It has been some time since we last had any player announcements. Are more planned for this week?

[kingsheathlad]

Some academy anouncements were mentioned I believe.

[dag]

So, so pleased to hear of a settled squad before the season starts.

It must certainly help player morale to know that, in the main they are far from strangers to each other. Pam and I wont be able to make the first friendly but we will certainly be at the 2nd and 3rd friendly and - with a bit of luck - the first fixture away to Rams.

Come on Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose

[beermonster]

Quiet on the recruitment front. Squad a bit threadbare in certain areas ie fly half and second row and a third hooker

[kingsheathlad]

At Fly half we have Tighe Maxwell Whitley
Rob Knox can play centre or fly half, Sam Pointon can play four positions in back line and I think Ollie Allsopp has played fly half.

Joe Foreman has moved to hooker in some games.

Agree about second row. We have six back row in squad, may be some have them can play second row if required.

I suppose it's all down to our budget in these difficult times.

Any thoughts.
Come on Mose.....

[dag]

Well kingsheath lad, I can keep my boots soft and supple - just in case. Alas keeping my joints soft and supple may prove just a tad difficult, but hey ho where there is hope there is life.

Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose

[beermonster]

We need a bigger squad or wer'e going to struggle once we start picking up injuries which will inevitably happen

[andyj]

It is now 3 weeks since we last had an announcement of signed players. Does this mean we will be going into the pre season games with a number of players being trialled? Still no news on Kailus so it appears he has not been re-signed which is very disappointing.

[southernmose]

All gone a bit too quiet and the squad's still too small (and still seems light in the backs) for my liking...

[cheshmos]

Given the amount of injuries in the past few seasons I think we are definitely short in the second row and the backs.
Maybe some trialists in the pre season games. I remember Josh Poole as a trialist play against Neath a few years ago, and he was quite a find for us
So let’s just live in hope.

[grooveavenue]

I think the AGM was rather revealing about signings; a signing we were in contention to secure, when, we learnt, this went nowhere when the individual signed a Home Counties club in our Division for an eye watering wage/package. Message from the top table could be, we are honour bound to keep within the player budget we have set ourselves to ensure continuity, status and development. "It ain't cheap", in other words!
Yet, still somw time to go.

[kingsheathlad]

Some clubs,particularly those down South will have the budget to attract some players.Stay within our budget,don't do a Worcester or Wasps.

[Westcountry Mose]

I agree about staying within our budget (whatever it is) but sadly I think that will entail yet another basement battle for us. If we can squeeze a few more £s out of the budget I would go for another recognised fly half. We cannot start games without a recognised no. 10 and as we have seen in the recent past this is also a position where a player can sustain a lengthy injury.

[andyj]

I think we have done well to secure the signing of some top players particularly in the back row. However, a squad of 29 is far too small. Agree with above comments about the second row and backs. Not sure if Dan Brough’s preferred position is 15 or on the wing. We could do with a recognised 15 as well as another 10. I also think a very experienced 9 would help Freddie develop. I think Adam said at the very first Q&A that he would like a squad of 35/36.

[kingsheathlad]

I thought Jack Jolly was the experienced scrum half we signed.

[kingsheathlad]

Elliot Creed can play three positions in backs,Sam Pointon can play four positions.

[kingsheathlad]

At the AGM was there any mention of using loan or d/r players.

[grooveavenue]

I thought the message on loan/DR players has been not to be involved if at all possible. Its short termism and sighted if we are to develope our own players. However, with the squad shortage we may have to delve there, temporarily (?) maybe

[andyj]

Aug 1, 2023 17:26:12 GMT kingsheathlad said:

I thought Jack Jolly was the experienced scrum half we signed.

When he was with us previously he was not first choice and, as far as I am aware, he hasn’t played at any level above us.

[henry2016]

I agree I the squad is looking. A bit light in places . I'm sure it will all come together and do their best as always. I think mid table is realistic sadly

[dag]

Top half of the table,but preferably top third would be a good target. And we need look further than Plymouth as an example where try bonus's and closer losing score margins can make all the difference to the end of season final positions. For example at the end of last season and without appearing negative, if Moseley, had picked up a try bonus with every win and a try and losing bonus with every loss they would have finished up with around 82 points - and a safer 5th position. As it happened they finished up 9th, top of the second half of the table, but that was only 9 points above Esher who were relegated.

Come on Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose.

[davt]

I agree. We need another number 10. Where is Harry Barnes? Hutchinson? Not heard of them going elsewhere? I don’t like this ‘wait for the other club to announce them.’ I think we should announce who we are not retaining and who of previous seasons players we might be in discussion with.

[dag]

I don't know if Moseley are missing a trick davt but I still haven't been approached. Ive even got my bus pass changed to Nation Express to increase my chances of selection.

Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose

[andyj]

Aug 7, 2023 15:12:10 GMT davt said:

I agree. We need another number 10. Where is Harry Barnes? Hutchinson? Not heard of them going elsewhere? I don’t like this ‘wait for the other club to announce them.’ I think we should announce who we are not retaining and who of previous seasons players we might be in discussion with.

Given that our first pre season friendly is this Saturday are the club now going to announce who has left?

[kingsheathlad]

The Rugby Paper today has National 1 ins and outs.
James Tideswell and Jac le Roux who we already kneww retired.
Dan Lewis to Leicester Lions.
Archie Heard to Bournville.
Matt Marsh to either Blackheath or Richmond.
Josh Olver and Jide Ajayi doesn't say to where.

The ins shown have already been covered earlier.

[beermonster]

Ajayi Ayling Oliver all retired according to the paper. I'm a bit sceptical on that one.

[kimbo]

You can add Theo Mannion at stand-off, and David Opoku on the wing.
Both good lads - notwithstanding David's rapping talents 😉

[andyj]

Are the club going to now confirm who has left?

[davt]

I’ve heard Barnes has gone to Australia with work or something?