Just been looking at our squad and how it is shaping up. It is shaping up quite well I think

Grix
Jowitt
Johnstone
BJB
MCB
Lyne
Arundel
Tupou
Miller
Finn
Wood
Randell
England
Huby
Hirst
Fifita
Pauli
Baldwinson
Ashurst
Kirmo
Horo
Arona
Crowther
Annakin
Batchelor
Schofield
Ackroyd

Don't think I have missed anyone, but that is 27 names, sure last season we ran with about 30.

Taking potential injuries into account, is 27 a bit light?

Thoughts?

Best squad we've had in my 30 plus years watching the mighty Trin. 2004 Solomona team was good but not as strong as this squad in my opinion.

Up the Trin

It is a good squad M62.

My only question, is, is it light on bodies should we get some injuries somewhere, especially, bearing in mind if Jordy on a season long loan?

Maybe another signing in there somewhere.

Sure Hadley's squad number was 32, and we pretty much had him from the start of the season, which is the reason behind my thinking of running with a squad of 30 or so in 2017.

People always say this and I'm sorry but it's just plain wrong IMO.

You simply can't afford to cover every eventuality. In fact you can't even work out every eventuality. What you don't do is fill your squad with makeweights. You go with quality and you leave some cash in the kitty to sign players when that becomes neccessary - players you actually need.

Some of our best signings have been just that - Dean Hadley for one.

There may be another signing who knows but 27 good players is more than enough in all but the worst possible scenarios and no club can do much about them.

Also not sure Scofield is in the first team squad but I think Wray is.

In reality it is a 25 man squad.
We could have a massive injury crisis and neither Schofield nor Ackroyd would play.
I would make sure we had half back cover so we have at least 5 players to cover 6 7 and 9 (and 14 if we are spelling the hooker)

I agree with your principle Vastman, I would just add one more.

It's a tough one comparing the 2004 with the 2018.

Solomona and Domic was a fantastic pairing. Ben Jeffries at his peak. Gareth Ellis and JD leading from the front. Duncan McGillavray tackling machine. Was it 3 in the Dream Team? Stitched up away at Wigan to keep us away from the minor final. Happy Days.

Yes it was a class team, Sid Domic and Solomona were unstoppable down that side. Robbed at Wigan but some brilliant performances that season, went to every match knowing we could win.

Up the Trin

You’ve missed off Hooley, wray and Kershaw!

I don't agree that one or the other wouldn't play if needed. They wouldn't be the first 20 year olds blooded in an emergency. It wouldn't be ideal but it's not the non starter you seem to suggest.

Ellis and many others first played whilst teenagers. I believe Miller played NRL before his 20th birthday.

Again not ideal but if your good enough your old enough. Something you'll never know untill you play the player.

I've been asking this for month, so just to confirm Holley has been promoted to the first team?

Not only promoted, but out performing quite a few!!

Like MC says you've missed 3 off. So a 30 man squad, with 5 that are young and moving up from U19's is about right and imo it's great to see that many nake the move up to Pro RL. Tbh didn't know Hooley had signed a pro contract, he's also another we've been hearng great things about, so i look forward to see his development.

Good

Yep it's actually on the club sites archive news, two year deal - not sure how I missed that one.

Sorry there Michael.

I didn't include them as I wasn't certain of their progress at this stage

I'm not saying it because of their age, I'm saying it because they are not ready.

Not ready for a season but both could get by for a period imo. Nobody thought Johnson or Jowitt were ready and both did their bit.

I can't comment on Schofield as I haven't seen him play and I doubt you have. Ackroyd is a tough little player as well as a good one he'd go alright for 2 or 3 games imho.

Its by far the strongest looking squad we have had in many years!. Usually the starting 17 would pick itself if everyone was fit, but out of that squad there are a lot of selection dilemmas for Chester. The pack in particular has loads of possible combinations.

Cant wait for the new season.

A bit of licence taken with a couple of positions

1, Grix - Hooley
2, BJB - Kershaw
3, Lynne - Arundel
4, Tupou - Jowitt
5, MCB - Johnstone
6, Miller - Schofield
7, Finn - Ackroyd
8, England - Hirst
9, Randel - Wood
10, Huby - Fifita
11, Kirmond - Horo
12, Ashurst - Batchelor
13, Arona - Pauli

I know Grix is good, but i dont think he can play two positions at the same time

Great squad but poss not playing at belle vue will have a effect. Outside influences make a difference

Will we get us lucky as last year with other big teams playing terrible??? I say 8th with that squad

Troll

And last season, apart from not having any players in the dream team, was just as good.
The really positive thing for Trinity is, having a settled squad, without the usual revolving door.

That Wigan game was a sickener, topped off with their stadium clock, which still showed time remaining.
Not like Wigan to break any rules though, so we'll forgive them

That's certainly a strong squad. Other than the 4 young lads, who are as yet unknown at SL level, you could pick any of the other 22 in a first choice 17. I can't see any make-weight squad players, genuine competition for places this year.