By Leipziger
May 6 2014

The Falcons have finally secured Premiership status for 2014/15, far later than they might have done, three early-season wins ensuring that fifteen consecutive league defeats did not cause an immediate return to the Championship.

Next season starts here for the Falcons and on Saturday they have a big opportunity to increase season ticket sales with a big performance and, hopefully, only a second home league win of the season.

For supporters, attention will turn to the make-up of next year's squad. So far, the signings of Calum Green, Ruki Tipuna and Juan Pablo Socino from Championship sides have been announced, and Lee Smith, Sinoti Sinoti and Gonzalo Tiesi will stay having been added during the season.

Perhaps it is not a surprise that this recruitment is heavily slanted towards the backline, who have on the whole not performed this on too many occasions this season. Whether that is down to personnel, coaching or the game-plan is uncertain. The forwards have done their bit on the whole, but too often possession has been wasted. It is to be hoped that a more positive mindset will be encouraged next season. We have seen in recent games that this is more likely to bring results than the negative play employed consistently up to the middle of March.

So where do we need to recruit further? A new head coach, or a new backs/attack coach if John Wells is promoted to the number two position, will surely be added. On the pitch, it might depend on who is still to leave. It would sadly not be a massive surprise if Grant Shiells and/or Joel Hodgson left despite both getting a bit more game time recently, and if they were to go, then another decent prop might be useful. Socino may be back-up to Rory Clegg and Phil Godman if Hodgson leaves – it is unlikely that a top-class ten will be recruited, I'd have thought.

Further back, Ryan Shortland is out of contract and that would leave us a winger light, particularly with Tom Catterick suffering injury problems more often than is ideal. Another back three player might be useful anyway to compete with Catterick and Alex Tait for the number 15 shirt and in case Smith does not take to rugby union as the management will hope.

Second row probably needs bolstering following the retirement of Carlo del Fava. One or both of Harry Spencer and Ian Nagle might fill this hole, indeed Nagle has turned down a contract with Munster so he will be in the market for a new club.

Other than those, I think the squad looks decent on the whole. We have a lot of talent in the back row, indeed enough to almost fill two teams, and if Jamie Helleur can stay fit then the centres look strong too with Adam Powell and Tiesi also available. Hooker and scrum-half are also well-set – on the former, one would hope that George McGuigan will get a few more starts early in 2014/15.

Perhaps the most important thing is for the management to start trusting the talent they have available, rather than us playing within ourselves – we have been saved by Worcester this season, it would be foolish to rely on the same happening next year, but I'm sure nobody will be doing that.

Safe and looking forward

Discussion started by FalconsRugby.org.uk , 06/05/2014 13:34

FalconsRugby.org.uk
06/05/2014 13:34

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Geordie
06/05/2014 14:21

Good little bit there...a few things ive thought about.

The pack has done ok...but i think we've seriously missed a big carrier in the back row. Taulava is the perfect "type" that we need...but at 31 and very injury prone this season is he the answer? We shall see.

Im pretty sure Nagel will sign, and i have a feeling they will sign young lock Spencer aswell, who has shown some skill in the brief minutes hes had on the pitch.

Shiels would have to be replaced...if he is not re-signed likewise i really hope Joel is.

Socino is a good signing, Green adds some oomph and i can even see him playing 6 quite a bit.

I would like us to keep Shortland. Whilst not the best hes a good back up. Add in the burgeoning talents of Brown, Kibirige, Hammersley, Penny etc etc and i think you'll see improvements next season.

Reply Quote Report

markismith50
06/05/2014 15:05

On Shortland, perhaps worth considering he did his Achilles two weeks ago in an 'A' game in Carlisle.

Reply Quote Report

OotsideCentre
06/05/2014 15:22

add Fry, Hawkins and Tualava to the new additions and there maybe the beginnings of some hope for next year

Reply Quote Report

Geordie
06/05/2014 15:57

Can anyone confirm once and for all about Frys scrummaging work though.

Heard some very negative reports about that aspect of his game...but very promising reports about his work around the park and at the breakdown?

Reply Quote Report

pityacker
06/05/2014 16:16

Scrummaging is one of the most important things a prop has to do in the modern game as many games have been lost when a sides inability to hold there end up are constantly penalised and often yellow carded therefore I would hope that aspect of Frys game has been well looked at before he was signed but must admit a video on youtube while playing tight head for USA did make him look dreadful but have no doubt thats not a true reflection of his ability.One thing for certain we will find out when he gets down against those hard cases in the premier league next season.

Reply Quote Report

Geordie
06/05/2014 16:25

Yeah i agree Pityacker...its essential that props can scrummage.

I would hope that Dean Richards and John Wells of all people would be able to tell if a prop is good enough or not.

Do you think he is to replace Montanella and that we keep Shiells?

Vickers, Shiells, Fry as our 3 LH's for next year?

Reply Quote Report

Leipziger
06/05/2014 17:00

Quote:

OotsideCentre
add Fry, Hawkins and Tualava to the new additions and there maybe the beginnings of some hope for next year

Cheers, I knew I'd missed some but just typed this quickly at lunchtime today to get the site up and running again. Signings not so heavily slanted towards the backs then!

Reply Quote Report

pityacker
06/05/2014 17:47

GF - difficult to assess the situation re retained or not players as the countless posts re Joel Hodgsons situation shows and then last season we were all expecting top Argentinian loose head prospect Nahuel Lobo and that never transpired sadly but between now and next season we will find out with one or two perhaps later than sooner but personally I think the bulk of recruitment is done and not a lot more to come.

Reply Quote Report

AFalcon24
06/05/2014 17:57

I don't think we need many just a few good quality players especially in the backs and maybe another prop.

Reply Quote Report

sour
06/05/2014 18:11

Re fry isn't he mainly a loose head?

Reply Quote Report

Cantabrian
06/05/2014 21:34

Many folks seem to be taking it for granted that Bristol will win promotion, but they have a habit of bottling the play-offs whereas London Welsh are hardly mentioned, although their MO is one of rising to the occasion.

If Welsh do get promoted, our games against them should be special.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net