Ive got a litle bit bored looking on here and most of the talk is about the DR situation so thought we could have a look at some possible line ups and try and look where our strength and weaknesses may lie in the squad.



[uFull Back[/u



Miles Greenwood

Joe Martin



[uWings[/u



Gareth Potts

Alex Brown

James Saltonstall

Tommy Saxton



[uCentres[/u



Ste Tyrer

Chris Taylor

Ben Heaton



[uHalf Backs[/u



Ben Johnston

Matt Place

Scott Murrell



[uProps[/u



Richard Moore

Luke Ambler

Mitch Calahane

Adam Tamgata

Andy Bracek



[uHooker[/u



Paul Mennell

Ben Kaye

Keith Holden

Ryan Maneely



[uBack Rowers[/u



Ross Divorty

Dane Manning

Jack Spencer

Adam Robinson





I think overall the squad looks to have a pretty good balance to it. We may be a bit light in a couple of areas if we did pick up any injuries but we have a few players capable of filling in well in other positions and its clear with a pretty small squad why loans or the dreaded DR may be seen as an option.



At full back we have the best player in the division from last season in Miles Greenwood who we know all about so we have not got many worries there and we should see a lot of tries from him. As back up we saw what Joe Martin is capable of in the last game of the season and if needed himself and a couple of others can fill in there.



In the backs we picked up Alex Brown who caused us no end of trouble in the games against us and was easily Batleys best player in the game against us at the mount. I wasnt a big Potts fan to start with but thought he finished the season in good form after his injury and can see him pushing for a starting place. We know exactly what we are getting from Saxton and Saltonstall was joint best player in the next division down and sounds to be ripping it up in training and may turn out to be a bit of a surprise package if he can get past Saxton for what I would expect to be the 2nd wing berth alongside Brown.



At centre could be a spot we may be a bit light if we picked up any injuries but Tyrer had his best season for us last year and was back to looking like the potential he showed early in his career, in Chris Taylor we got a bit of a coup getting Wigan to let him come to us as once he settled at Haven he had a good run once playing at Centre.



In the halfs you would expect Johnson and Place to start there but it all depends on the structure that RM goes for and whether he sees Murrell as a 13 or a 6. Im expecting a big year from Johnson this year playing under a coach who will let him express himself rather than trying to stop him taking players on. Matt Place is a bit of an unknown but on the videos looks a decent organizer with a good kicking game but we shall see.



I don't think we had a problem in the pack last season I thought it was more how they were asked to play. Im looking forward to our Aus and Cooke Islanders playing as both looked pretty good in the videos and both playing a ton of minutes and making a massive amount of tackles something which we lacked last season from a couple of other props. No matter what Leigh think, for me in Ambler we have the best prop in the division it would be nice to see a bit more aggression from him at times but he made team of the week most weeks and that wasnt by chance. Then we have Bracek who was one of our better players last season so we know what we are getting there along with Richard Moore who along with the overseas players adds a bit of size to our pack.



The back row is probably one of our strongest positions with Divorty and Manning probably been 2 of the best in the division and we have done great to hold on to them both. I think we will see a lot more from Spencer this season with a full off season under his belt for us and hopefully we can see more from Robinson who in glimpses has looked pretty good.



For me we look stronger than last season but a lot will be on how RM goes as a coach and how he can get us playing, I think its fair to say under a good coach we would have easily finished 2nd last season and this season we really need to be pushing for that important 4th place with the team we have.

Saltonstall is a Centre I believe?

I think if some of our fringe players can throw down the gauntlet and give RM a few selection problems and our overseas players are better than average, we will have a very strong squad. Confidence will be the main factor so a good start to the season is crucial, an ingredient that all our competitors will be striving for.

That's a good post GFB and a pretty comprehensive assessment to whet the new season's appetite.I expect a hooker to leave sometime soon but don't see an obvious weak area as yet.

who do you expect to be our 2 hookers? From what I've heard the lad fromwire (Maneely) has pace to burn and likes to run from dummy half so has to have a spot. and Holden for me is pure class. Mennell as a half back and Kaye as cover for me

Wouldn't bother me if we got rid of Ben Kaye.



My side would be



Greenwood no relation



Potts

Tyrer

Taylor

Brown

Johnstone

Place

Ambler

Mennell



Tangata

Manning

Divorty

Murrell



Subs



Calahane

Manelee

Bracek

Robbo





May change once I have seen how the new boys go for a couple of games. Plenty of choice on the wing hence no a Tommy. Gone for pace and don't know much about Saltenstall. May Swap the two overseas forwards round too. Could play Tommy at centre if Taylor doesn't do the business or Heaton. What do we do for goal kicker if Ste Tyrer is off form or injured.? Only top goal kicker in squad. Unless one of new boys is a kicker.

Just thought I'd do my team for a bit of fun.



Glad I don't have to pick the squad on a matchday, I can't believe some of the players I've left out but here goes.



Greenwood



Brown

Taylor

Tyrer

Saltonstall



Place

Johnstone



Ambler

Holden

Moore

Manning

Divorty

Murell



Maneeley

Calahane

Tangata

Robinson



I can easily see this side in the top 4





Can't wait for the season to begin.

I agree with your optimism but that's tempered by the fact that we don't really know

how good half the squad is.

Miles Greenwood couldn't tackle a good dinner , has a bit of speed , never rated him at Leigh, however I still hope Fax do okay as I like to see a happy Halifaxjohn and Bentley man.

I did I think he is a very good player.

I would go the same only difference is I would have Mennell start at Hooker and Maneely coming off the bench. I think Holden and Maneely are too alike so I think maybe one will miss out. Nice having 4 props in the team capable of doing 3/4 of the game which could make a big difference.

The main word being DID



I was glad when we showed him the door , he can't tackle but neither could Fieldhouse, the meeting of the Fax pack and the Leigh pack should be good , I can't wait .