Quote ="Alffi_7"On Currie, I think his distribution is great and he seems more comfortable defending in the middle, a full 2024 and off season training and playing at 13 should mean he is even better in 2025, I thought he had a very good 2024 personally.
We have Bateman, Drinkwater, Nicholson and Bruines moving off our cap from the end of 2024, with Russell, Leyland, Bullock coming on to it. We also have to consider increased contracts for several youth players (Lindop, CTW, Thomas, Holroyd etc) and probably a decent rise for Ashton, netted off partially by a lower contract for Ratchford.
The money coming off cap feels much higher to me than those coming on to the cap. I think we have room for a good signing should someone become available (plus some transfer fee funds burning a hole in our pocket from Nicholson).
For King, I'd be happy for him to stay, but on a much reduced deal and probably move him over to the right, as he has got older he provides less strike but is a solid defender and makes decent ground in his carries. Hopefully Lindop will be the choice at left centre if he progresses as we all hope.
My biggest concerns for next year:
- Do we have the strike to trouble teams? Fitzgibbon aside we look pretty toothless in the centres and backrow, they are all solid defensively but don't threaten the line too much. Hopefully Lindop can push Tai out of his spot.
- Prop: Harrison & Yates are good workhorses to have around, Vaughan seems to be diminishing a little 2024 vs 2023 - hopefully he can get back up to 2023 levels. Musgrove is the big disappointment for me, we have 3 props very comfortable to play 60 minutes, we need a prop coming off the bench who can be more dynamic and change the momentum - even if they only play 10 - 15 mins either side of half time, Musgrove just offers more of the same. If it were possible, I'd be trying to swap out Musgrove based on 2024 form. Philbin, Crowther and hopefully Thomas offer good cover, Bullock I think can move on.
- Long kicking game: Not good enough from Drinkwater, hopefully Hayes and Leyland can offer more.
- I keep changing my opinion on this, is Thewlis good enough?'"
Thewlis would certainly present more of a threat with a different centre partner, I think most wingers threat would be better with a centre who knows when to pass.
