You said one of the best.

I said there are better, which implies that I don't agree

So, you think it's all well and good just to say "this is this, because I think it" without backing up your opinion, what a strange way to go about conversation.

Horne has never been a first hoice for GB in the halves, he has played there on occasion when better players have been ruled out or unavailable, he is an honest and hard working pllayer, but he isn't worth what he gets paid and we've been held back by bot recruiting better in the last two years.

As much as I hate to say it, Horne wne tdown hill the day Crooke went East.

Just wait a moment while I set my irony metre to stun.

your good at attempting clever responses, but you don't seem to have the ability to back up your opinion.

nor do you but I admire your tenacity

He played 12 times for GB, last appearance was in the halves. He also had a short stint at Hooker IIRC. He made the SL Dream Team in 2004 as Scrum Half.

<Pedant Mode>Technically it doesn't.</Pedant Mode>

Meh

to be fair, I never denied being drunk

lol

fair point, I must admit I've poured a glass of white as the sun is shing (had it been oversact it would have been red)

Kosh, SL dream team in 2004, pretty much makes my point for me.

I hope Agar has a couple of decent forwards in mind for next season because, the way we're spending our cap and quota, we're really going to have to find them and they'll probably have to be British.

Perhaps what's currently left of our cap added to Washbrook's and Dowes' salaries may be enough?

It's difficult not to be constantly tired and emotional when you work in Belgium. As my contract comes to a close I am trying each of the beers before I come home, starting at the top left in each bar and working my way across and down. Unfortunately there are hundreds. Please don't ask me for an assessment of each lol - although my favourite so far is caled Ename Cuvee which usually is only sold in the winter months but I've found a place that has stocks. Last night they went 8% (Kwak), 12% (Bush or sometimes known as wtf?), 9.5% (Westmalle Tripel) - thankfully the fourth was alcohol free (can't remember the name but it was better than Kaliber). I usually keep it to 4 - and usually they're not all as strong as last night - because I have to work the next day and on Friday afternoons I have to drive to the ferry. Thankfully they're all approx half a pint. So I might not have had the stomach to start defending my views about Horne - it was far easier to be clever clever.

fair point, I used to hate the commute home from London every weekend so I can't imagine getting the Ferry every Friday/Monday.

I once went to Bruges, it appeared to be closed, all of it.

Oh the joy of hundreds of schoolkids singing "I've got a feeling" or "if I could walk 500 miles" at the tops of their voices. At least I have a job - must keep telling myself that.

that actually can happen in Brugges - I think it's Mondays

whilst we're O/T...

check out "Frank Gambale chop builder" on a video site on the internet. I have reason to believe Richard Agar has been shirking his duties as head coach

the only places open were the bars, I was gutted I tell thee, GUTTED!



anyway, back on topic....... (someone)

so, that Richard Horne, what a guy eh?

solid, reliable and honest as the day is long, but not good enough for a team wanting to challenge for silverware, I'm getting dejavu now!

recent signings do seem to, worryingly, suggest that we're keeping Dowes as well, and that Fitz isn't going to "go round again".

I imagine we've agreed a deal with O'Meley and Moa, but these are being kept back for the "season pass boost" announcements when we fail miserably to getto the playoffs?

I don't think that anyone would argue that 2004 to 2006 were his finest years, although in his defence he's had a fair bit to cope with since then. And no settled, decent halfback partner for most of that period. You may recall that I was among the group who had pretty much written him off last season and suggest that he might look at retirement. However, he seems to have turned the clock back at least partly and is looking much more like his old self again. If that form (and fitness) continues or even improves then he's good enough for another (short) contract IMO.

My only concern with Horne,Long,Dowes,Radford,Fitzgibbon etc is that we're not building for the future, even if these players manage another season or twowe still don't seem prepared to promote from within, I want to see the youngsters getting a chance, if they're good enough why aren't they, and if they aren't good enough, why not?

I am aware this all could come across as somrhing against Rich, it really isn't, I've sat in Napoleons enough times playing cards and talking about the game to know Rich is 100% professional and a real hard worker.

Agree. Keeping Dowes (again) because "there's nothing better available" would be a concern. If Fitz and Lauaki leave, they will need replacing and in an ideal world, we really should be replacing Dowes.

Of the players you mention there I'd only really want to keep Horne. And I do appreciate the point about youngsters coming through, but TBF I reckon Niklas would have featured a lot this season if not for his injury and we will have youngsters as back up next season who will all likely get games.

have to be honest, I'd pretty much forgotten about Nicklas, he would have played more I think had he not been injured.

But it's always "next season" with FC isn't it, just so frustrating when trying to justify a 4 hour round trip and leaving work at 3pm to get to a game, just to see the same old same old.

I would agree also .. And I've never been to Belgium .

Im not sure why people seem to have a problem with dowes ability. I agree he is obviously not as good as moa/ogre but you cant have 4 props in your team that are they same quality as them 2, the salary cap just wont let this happen. For me dowes is a good hard working prop, no thrills but works his socks off.