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Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Discussion started by OldMarovian , 05 April, 2018 17:01
Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
OldMarovian 05 April, 2018 17:01

What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?

LH
Hooker
TH
Lock
Flanker
8
Scrum Half
Fly Half
Centre
Wing
Fullback
More Vunipolas smiling smiley

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61 Votes

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Filling a request for more polls I was wondering what (if any) positions we thought might need strengthening for the coming season?

As far as I am aware the following are leaving: Brits & Wyles (retiring) Earle (Quins) Longbottom (Western Force)
And the following joining: Strettle (Clermont) Lewington (LI) also remember a rumour that Masivesi Dakuwaqa the Fijian 7's player might be joining us but have heard nothing more. Also you could add Vailanu who joined us mid-season.

Any other I have missed please let me know.

With Titi currently playing at TH and Longbottom off it feels like TH might be one area. Give Paul Hill (Northampton) a call maybe? unless we have a likely Academy prospect.
Massively encouraged that we signed Vailanu as whilst Wray is an outstanding player sometimes you need the pure physicality of a player like Billy/Vailanu. On a similar note Tolofua looks a very good signing.
I guess the other area might be centre? Really depends on how many more seasons Barritt can keep coming back like the Terminator and whether SuperDunc finally gets an injury free run. Will obviously be good to see Tompkins get more game time regardless.

So for me TH and maybe centre. Any thoughts?
(edit) should point out that I am thrilled with our current options at TH just not sure about the depth.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2018 17:02 by OldMarovian.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Roger G 05 April, 2018 17:19
SHould shareholder be on the list? (Sm100)

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Huxley 05 April, 2018 17:28
Think TH and Hooker are thin at 3rd choice, so probably there. Although there’s always room for more Vunipolas! I think a problem that we have with a few of our first choice team is that anyone backing up the position looks a step down.

Just seen that Masivesi Dakuwaqa is signed to Western Force for next season, so I’m guessing that was just paper talk.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Static 05 April, 2018 17:36
Centres for me. Have concerns about TH but think we need something to give a different option in the centres more.

More that anything I would say medical professionals though. As with a full squad, I think there is at least 2 levels of good cover if not more in all positions. Just need not to have 3 or 4 first choice in positions injured at the same time. In the back row we have been down 5 of the first 7 players we could put out for most of the season. Nothing you can do about that other than fix them quicker.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
OldMarovian 05 April, 2018 17:58
Roger G, I think Mr Wray has that one covered!

Thanks Huxley I hadn't seen that. Tbh I couldn't quite work out what position he would have been playing given he covers almost everything in League and 7s! Does that mean there's a space? or was he a wing option and we have Strettle?

Static and interesting point about medical staff. Feels like they have done well in that respect just we have been unfortunate with early returnees being injured again soon after.

Seems at the moment that the feeling is centres might be an area we need to look at. If you chose or would choose centres perhaps you could write what sort of player you feel we need?

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Highbury Saracen 05 April, 2018 18:04
Te’o runs straight lines & is powerful if thats what we want?

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
OldMarovian 05 April, 2018 18:14
Good point HS he does. Also a good defender at 12.
Question for me is if that's what we think we need could we find someone like that but without a) the cost b) the availability of Te'o? Are we sure Rhodes or Koch don't have younger siblings who could play at centre smiling smiley

One thing this season has really highlighted for me is as great as it is having a team chock-full of Internationals it gets painful when they all go missing at once! Also a great reminder of how valuable players like Wray, Rhodes, Goode, etc are to this team.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
frenchsaracen 05 April, 2018 18:33
Do you reckon Stretts could persuade Remi Lamerat that Barnet is a better proposition than Clermont-Ferrand...? Mr. Penaud lends his son his Renault, they drive up together and we're well on our way to our former French quota.

(Whilst I think centre could do with reinforcements, I'd love to see more of Loz there - he cut some brilliant lines last weekend)

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Highbury Saracen 05 April, 2018 18:38
What’s the gothic cathedral like in Barnet??!! smiling smiley



European champions 2016 & 2017

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Huxley 05 April, 2018 18:59
Quote:
OldMarovian

Thanks Huxley I hadn't seen that. Tbh I couldn't quite work out what position he would have been playing given he covers almost everything in League and 7s! Does that mean there's a space? or was he a wing option and we have Strettle?

Force have signed him as a winger, so I’m guessing you’re right. I’m never sure about 7s players, Ellery was an 8 before he went to 7s!

I get why Centres would be on the list, but if all are fit we have Brad, Bosch, Nick, Dunc, Tom Griffiths as specialists with the ability of Faz and Loz to slot in if needed. I wonder if Loz would might actually develop into a very good 13. Saying that, I heard a rumour that Bosch might be off to Gloucester, although the source was weak, at best!

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
OldMarovian 05 April, 2018 19:49
I think as maybe HS alluded to we might need a slightly more direct centre than we have currently (Barritt aside) although I think it was mentioned that Griffiths is a bit more in that mold?

What with bringing in new "old" wingers I hope we think carefully about the balance of experience and development when those in contention have their contracts renegotiated.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Huxley 05 April, 2018 20:47
Maybe we should give Vailanu a go at 12, I reckon he could make some yards in the midfield!

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
NickL 05 April, 2018 20:50
We could always try Mako in the centre. He's about the same size as Bastereaud with better hands and more of a step.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
OldMarovian 06 April, 2018 06:27
We could also get him to kick when Lozo plays 10!

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Essex-Sarrie 06 April, 2018 10:11
I think this season the standout for me is the back row. We have been very fortunate that Maro and Nick have been able to cover 6 very well. But Rhodes has been sorely missed while injured arguable our biggest miss. A proper 7 would be a welcome addition, Cowan has done well so far and I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if he become permanent addition.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
OldMarovian 06 April, 2018 11:09
Good point Essex-Sarrie but once players return from injury I think we might be ok. We have Burger for another season and Clark to return who IMO was starting to look a decent signing before his injury. I agree that Cowan looks good and tbh was a bit surprised he hasn't been asked to start yet but I guess to accommodate him we'd need one of the others to be leaving?

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Huxley 06 April, 2018 11:19
I, for one, would love to see Cowan stay, but with Burger being given another contract, I can’t see it. I hope I’m wrong, Cowan has more turnovers then any other player in the prem, not bad considering he was at Irish, and had an injury lay off!

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
The Bard 06 April, 2018 11:47
On the basis that Irish are very likely to go down, a one year extension for Cowan could suit everyone!

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Seany_Boy0511 06 April, 2018 12:47
More Vunipolas, great family, and with one Manu Vunipola learning from Owen Farrell! The future is looking great!

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
David@Sarries 06 April, 2018 12:53
I'm with Essex Sarrie, we need a new 7. It may be that the plan is for Ben Earl to play there and Burger/Cowan to mentor him.

Does anyone know what happened to Matt Hankin? He's still in the squad according to the 'fish but that doesn't mean a lot.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Seany_Boy0511 07 April, 2018 11:17
I believe Hankin was Injured last season then looked like he may return and then was Injured for this season again... But haven't heard any updates since, can only assume he is still on our books

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Waldo 07 April, 2018 11:29
Quote:
David@Sarries
It may be that the plan is for Ben Earl to play there and Burger/Cowan to mentor him.

Do you think Cowan will stay ?

Technically he is "on loan" (Sm151)

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
JO'G 07 April, 2018 15:47
most of the problems we have at centre are because Duncan hasn't been fit. With Brad and Duncan starting, with Duncan and Loz to finish the game off we aren't struggling in the centre

Loz and Duncan could be interchangable - with Tomkins to slot in when Loz plays 10

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
vunipolae 07 April, 2018 15:56
If today's game is any sign we have our long term 13 in Lozowski

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Highbury Saracen 07 April, 2018 16:01
Brad & cello was issue last week as there was no pace



European champions 2016 & 2017

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Seany_Boy0511 07 April, 2018 16:17
Waldo I would take Blair Cowan in a heartbeat, I know it's only been a handful of games. But he causes problems for the opposition and looks like he's been at Sarries forever! Effortlessly slipped into that team and on big Games as well I would definitely like him to sign on a permanent basis if possible

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
TonyTaff 07 April, 2018 18:09
Ageing wingers often make good outside centres.

Stretts!



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Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Sara'sman 07 April, 2018 20:24
Quote:
Waldo
Quote:
David@Sarries
It may be that the plan is for Ben Earl to play there and Burger/Cowan to mentor him.

Do you think Cowan will stay ?

Technically he is "on loan" (Sm151)

I watched Blair closely today - first time "live" with us. He's someone I've seen several times in the championship - good but never outstanding. Has looked very promising so far in his cameos for us.

I was surprised by his tackling - slipped off several, missed a couple I think, would have allowed offloads against a better side. Reinforced that we tackle higher in general - on the ball. Anyone else notice this in Blair's game today?

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
OldMarovian 08 April, 2018 08:08
Cowan seemed a marked improvement to me on a typical (but not best) Burger performance.
Made a mess of the breakdown and frequently needed multiple guys to clear him. Offered himself as a carrying option but ran some decent lines rather than just going for contact and was first to loose ball on a number of occasions. Unless Billy returns I'd have Cowan starting in the backrow till the end of the season.

Isiekwe had another excellent game.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
beshocked 09 April, 2018 11:11
Biggest improvements need to come in backrow, scrum half and centres.

As harsh as it is I think Burger,Wigglesworth and Bosch are off the pace.

Can't fault the effort they effort they put in - just lack that athleticism needed.


I'd say 9 actually.

Needs to be an up in the tempo of the team.


7,9 and centre is where I'd look to strengthen.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
#wolfpack 09 April, 2018 12:34
Does anyone know what the deal is the Tolofua at the moment? If he is injured long term / going to be injury prone we will need another hooker

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
maynas 10 April, 2018 15:16
Judging by the season ticket reclassifications debacle we need most to improve supporter communications!!

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
Huxley 10 April, 2018 15:29
Quote:
#wolfpack
Does anyone know what the deal is the Tolofua at the moment? If he is injured long term / going to be injury prone we will need another hooker

Had a similar G3 spine issue to Figallo, which meant he couldn’t play for France, but could have played for us, but elected to have the corrective surgery so that he would be available for France in the summer, I believe.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
CT 10 April, 2018 15:55
He said he'll be out for 3 months after his surgery in mid-February. Hopefully he'll be ready in time for the playoffs if needed.

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
The Bard 10 April, 2018 22:15
Commercial department...

Re: Poll: What position do Sarries most need to strengthen?
JO'G 11 April, 2018 12:40
Quote:
The Bard
Commercial department...

(Sm22) (Sm22) (Sm22)


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