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Mate Rhys Gill, Scott Roberts and Ross Johnson have left.

I'm not sure Loxton's a full squad member yet, though I dare say he's going to make a few appearances at the start of the season.

Looks good on paper.....

Good strength in depth in many areas. Look at Centre, back row, wings and 2nd row especially.

Then look at props, scrum halves and fly halves and things look like they may go a little pear shaped.

This has been said for a long time and yet no proven signings again in these areas.

SNK is saying the right things but proof is on on the pitch. Cooper blows hot and cold IMO. Morris is here only as a stand in for Melon.

Here's hoping I'm proved wrong as I was last year.

Outside half situation OMG!!!!!! Looks worse on paper than in general conversation

Squad is wrong and very weak in places.

Quote:

ATTR
Squad is wrong and very weak in places.

ATTR, interested to know what you mean by "wrong"?

As I implied above, I agree it is weak in many places but we have lost in some areas but gained in some others through recruitment and especially player development.

At the start of the last three seasons it all seems to be doom and gloom....yet the Blues have grown as a team with on the field results (not off it I may add!)

Wrong = Not right.

Prop situation is being treated with sticking plaster (Darren Morris) It needs surgery.

OH no stand out OH let alone a genuine battle.

Age: Squad is getting on in key positions.

I feel we peaked last season. I hope I'm wrong.

Just puzzled for a moment by your terminology and perhaps read more into it than was there.

Yes, I agree again, weak in many places.

Lets hope after another fab season, we're saying exactly the same this time next year.

I'm not particularly optimistic by heart...I believe I'm a realist...really . But again, looking back, I've been pretty realistic in my views for the forthcoming season during the last three summers and yet the team have exceeded all expectations time and time again.

At least if you are pessimistic you can only be pleasantly surprised. (I hope)

Quote:

ATTR
OH no stand out OH let alone a genuine battle.

Two Dads says something different, but what he really thinks is another matter;


"The Australian accepts that he will have to fight for his favoured 10 position in Cardiff.

"I recognise there's a couple of good 10s in the squad with Ceri Sweeney and Dai Flanagan," he said.

"Both have got some great skills, so there is going to be plenty of competition for that jersey which you hope brings out the best in everyone.

"But hopefully over time I can secure a spot in the side."

how good is SNK if he thinks he has to fight for a place against SWEENEY.
Nicky didn't get pressured once last season.
I hope that is bluff talk which is unusual for a normally forthright aussie.

Just standard rubbish given in that sort of interview. If he thinks Sweeney can challenge him then he's no first choice 10 anyway!

think we have signed a young south african back row player named Andries Pretorius, used to be Captain at hartpury College. Have heard good things about him.

Quote:

rugbyguru
think we have signed a young south african back row player named Andries Pretorius, used to be Captain at hartpury College. Have heard good things about him.

Why don't they just announce it? Everyone knows about it by now. People have seen him training with the squad at the open day FFS.

I can see why you'd keep back the news of signing a "big name" for a day when it'll get maximum publicity but in this case?

Cardiff Steve is right; Rhys Gill, Scott Roberts & Ross Johnston have all gone! But, well done Admin.

MY OLD MATE CARDIFF STEVE .THOSE PLAYERS YOU MENTIONED HAVE LEFT THE CLUB GUESS WHERE THERE FROM.

Wales?

Quote:

beddaublue
MY OLD MATE CARDIFF STEVE .THOSE PLAYERS YOU MENTIONED HAVE LEFT THE CLUB GUESS WHERE THERE FROM.

Rhys Gill: Tylorstown, Treorchy & Ystrad Rhondda.

Scott Roberts: Pontypridd & Bridgend

Am I getting close?

HI CARDIFF STEVE YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK .ACCEPT ROSS JOHNSON WHO SURPRISE SURPRISE IS FROM BEDDAU.

I'm not sure as to the point you're trying to make, beddaublue.

do we really need SEVEN props?

Do we need 7 props?

Prop
Gethin Jenkins Injured
John Yapp Experimenting with TH
Tau'faao Filise NO 1 TH
Darren Morris Cover until January 1 2010.
Gary Powell Only here for the Tango factor
Rhys Gill Gone see earlier posts in the thread
Scott Roberts Gone see earlier posts in the thread


So its 5 props one of whom is injured so it is 4 props.

Quote:

ATTR
I'm not sure as to the point you're trying to make, beddaublue.

He seems to think that you're me. Take it as a compliment.

Quote:

ATTR
Do we need 7 props?
Prop
Gethin Jenkins Injured
John Yapp Experimenting with TH
Tau'faao Filise NO 1 TH
Darren Morris Cover until January 1 2010.
Gary Powell Only here for the Tango factor
Rhys Gill Gone see earlier posts in the thread
Scott Roberts Gone see earlier posts in the thread


So its 5 props one of whom is injured so it is 4 props.

No ATTR, it isn't. You conveniently forgot about Hobbs, Andrews and Palmer. All of whom are training with the full squad. That's 8 props in the squad.

Quote:

JonnyBlues

Quote:

ATTR
Do we need 7 props?
Prop
Gethin Jenkins Injured
John Yapp Experimenting with TH
Tau'faao Filise NO 1 TH
Darren Morris Cover until January 1 2010.
Gary Powell Only here for the Tango factor
Rhys Gill Gone see earlier posts in the thread
Scott Roberts Gone see earlier posts in the thread


So its 5 props one of whom is injured so it is 4 props.

No ATTR, it isn't. You conveniently forgot about Hobbs, Andrews and Palmer. All of whom are training with the full squad. That's 8 props in the squad.

I've gone by the list at the top of the thread. Don't forget the last the are Development players not "full".

HI ATTR AND CARIFF STEVE THIS WAS MY ORIGINAL POINT ON TIGHTHEAD PROPS.BEFORE THE COMMENTS MADE ABOUT VALLEY OIKS.

Quote:

beddaublue
HI ATTR AND CARIFF STEVE THIS WAS MY ORIGINAL POINT ON TIGHTHEAD PROPS.BEFORE THE COMMENTS MADE ABOUT VALLEY OIKS.

Been drinking again?

Quote:

cardiffsteve

Quote:

beddaublue
HI ATTR AND CARIFF STEVE THIS WAS MY ORIGINAL POINT ON TIGHTHEAD PROPS.BEFORE THE COMMENTS MADE ABOUT VALLEY OIKS.

Been drinking again?

ONLY BRAINS S/A CARDIFFSTEVE.

James Loxton was terrible for the Rags at Ebbw Vale. Not encouraging as no 2 full back for the firsts.

Quote:

ATTR
James Loxton was terrible for the Rags at Ebbw Vale. Not encouraging as no 2 full back for the firsts.

Surprised by that. He seemed to be going well for the Wands. And scored a try at Ulster on his debut last season.

Maybe carrying an injury? Didnt seem to have any kind of preseason.

Poor decision making and no backing his pace. Maybe carrying as you say but blew a couple of chances due to the pace issue.