Yorkshire Carnegie
It's the final countdown!
prodigal
By WW
August 28 2016
The Tykes saw off the Lions at Rudding Park this weekend in the last of three pre-season friendly matches. Now it is less than a week until the main event. The start of another Championship season.
On the 3rd of September the team will run out at Ealing for the start of it's sixth consecutive season in the second tier of English rugby. It is the coach, Bryan Redpath's second full season in charge. The squad available to him consists of those players that he wanted to retain plus those players that he agreed to become additions so that the makeup of the squad is down to him. He has also acquired the services of Jimmy Lowes and Steve Boden, ensuring that we have a comprehensive coaching setup. So why am I not overwhelmed with eager anticipation?
Well I guess it is partly because we have been here before many times in similar circumstances. We have a big budget but always seem to get a small or no return on it. The other underwhelming factor is that I still have serious misgivings about Brush and his ability to get the most out of his players. I hope that he proves me wrong.
Last season saw the rise of the Knights to become the 2nd best team in the league. No one predicted that. Will this coming season see another unfancied side take the top four by storm? If so I hope that it will not be Ealing!. The Irish, Welsh and Scottish Exiles will all be aiming for a play-off spot. Along with Bedford and Donny that will make five serious rivals for place in the top four. Are we up to the task?
As usual we have brought in some experienced players but this season we will have four returnees. Cusack, Stedman, McColl and Ford. For Joe this is his 3rd stint at the club and there are early indications that he is a better player than last time he was a Tyke. McColl got into great shape at Glaws. If he stays fit he will be part of a great back three along with Jonah and Prell/Stegman. As usual our concerns centre around the halfback pairing. Alex Davies is an experienced 9 who will be chased for the jersey by Max Green. Ford will start at 10 but Davies can also play there and the club have included Academy 10 Joe Allen in the first team squad so I expect he will get a call should plans A & B go pearshaped.
In a change to earlier failed plans I would like Brush to pick his strongest team every week starting at Ealing this weekend. It is important that we get off to a good start. Nothing less than 5 points will do. The fixture list is unforgiving. After a relatively easy start vs Ealing and Notts we have Welsh, Scottish, Titans and Pirates before the break for the cup. The weather forecast is good for Saturday. Joe Ford will have his kicking boots on and our new pack will provide a solid platform for our potent backs. Tykes by twelve!
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29/08/2016 10:34
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:09:15:10:54:49 by Wildwillie .
This we got with Brush. Although he was appointed prior to the end of the previous season, he inherited the squad and last season's arrivals- the most high profile of which was Sinfield.
Last season was a disappointment (though looking at the facts he achieved exactly the same as Jimmy did with a settled squad- losing semifinalists, and losing B&I finalists) and he definitely got some things wrong.
But in the last few seasons we have had more coaches than Fourways- at least give him another season to prove himself !
Alex Davies looks like one of the best players we have signed in a long while to me. Max Green didn't look at his best against Lions but will no doubt come good again as per last season when he should have been picked consistently above Pilgrim.
At 10 Joe looks a much better player than when he left. Having said that Warren Seals is also very impressive. Difficult choice.
Not seen anywhere near enough of Alex Gray but hopefully he will be another good addition. Centre combination going to be interesting - Casson, Forsyth, Luckock and Gray all quality. Back three equally so - perm any three from McColl, Stegmann, Holmes, Prell, Georgiou and Goss. Having said that McColl doesn't yet seem to be firing on all cyclinders judging by outings against Bath and Wasps.
Forward wise anything can happen when it comes to selection but, as with the backs, my vote always goes to those who demonstrate consistent desire and dogidnesss.
Looking forward to the season. Time to banish all negative thoughts and get behind Brush and the team. Best of luck YC.
I am with C1 above, let's give him this season to prove himself. Last season was as successful as we have ever been in the last 5 years: it is going to take a number of play-off opportunities before we have the good fortune to get promotion. I just hope it is this year.
Quote:almostatyke
....Last season was as successful as we have ever been in the last 5 years: it is going to take a number of play-off opportunities before we have the good fortune to get promotion. I just hope it is this year.
....Sadly this is true.
Let hope we have learned some lessons of seasons gone.
