2010/11 Predictions

Originally posted by solva Originally posted by Exiled_Scots B & S – I thought that individual and those associated with him had disappeared a long time ago thankfully!!! It’s my understanding that a genuine wealthy individual by the name of Simon Tindall is heavily financing/sponsoring Park for the coming season.   Solva – As I said in my original post it was early doors, so given the ongoing recruitment at Park, they may well escape the trap door. Do enlighten us on who the new winger is, whom you indicate is on his way to Park. You may wish to post it under the Player Rumour thread. How many ex-LW players are in the Park squad now, as I have lost count??   Mr Hollinshead is now said to have left the country after a nasty shock at his front door from a man with a bill ( not a duck with a hat on).  The story of Park's involvement with the H word is a long and complicated one but the upshot is that they got some money through marching him down to his bank and doing the transfer there and then, while Welsh didn't.   Park's full recruitment will be released very shortly  I understand. The winger should take most people in SW London about two minutes to work out.  Ex London Welsh players after C Ritchie's retirement (but he was originally Park anyway) =  Strong, Swords, Pugh (maybe not 1st team squad now), Anayi, Taualo, Gotting, Quigley, Chilten.  Ed Lewis-Pratt said to be returning too.

Hi NOLU, just a fleeting visit to the upper echelons of the league structure - Nat 2 is sooooooooooo boring. Now these Vuvuzelas you're talking about - Got to be more welcome than hearing "C'mon club" (lol)

A long time, LONGTIME, - a whole season probably.

Eel,

Originally posted by WESTCOMBE RANGER Am sure your players and supporters would love promotion, but sometimes wonder if your committee are really 100% committed to it. Would love to hear your views on that one. . Cheers for now

Think we have to be realistic about this. Promotion to the Championship IMO would be a poisoned chalice.

Seems to me that there has been significant strengthening of squads in this league. With a few exceptions.
Scottish ought to run away with it. But, behind them, who knows.

Cambs, in my view, have opted to enlarge a smallish squad with players to sustain two teams out of a Nat1 squad. The new 2XV/Dev team/Wanderers compete this year in Div 1 of the Canterbury league or whatever it's called now. We don't have any dual regged players, and only one recruit from a higher league (James Knight). So it'll be interesting to see how Crooksy's young squad fare.

I would suggest that we're not in it to win it this year, nor for a few years to come, but rather to establish a centre of excellence for young players to flourish. It'll take time and will only really have a chance of succeding if Cambs remain a dominatant rugby force in East Anglia. Good luck to them. It won't be easy.

Two months on from my original predictions and most if not all teams in NL1 have been adding to their squads. In addition, a number of teams have lost players in the summer player merry go round of player movements. What impact will the changes have on the original predictions? The following are my adjustments/tweaks in light of these changes:

·         Wharfedale – On the face of it the squad appears to have lost more quality than they have gained.  A slightly lower position than initially predicted.

·         Blaydon – The club have lost a couple of their key players to the Falcons and unsure of whom they have brought in as replacements. Again a more realistic mid to lower table finish.

·         Coventry – Definitely a season of consolidation at best, however looking at their squad it now contains a majority of lower league players, who will be stepping up to NL1. The big question will be are they good enough to be competitive. Could see Coventry at the lower end of the table on the basis of their current squad to date.

·         Stourbridge – The relationship with the Warriors could well pay significant dividends for the club next season. Lost a few players over the summer to local rivals, however any one on loan or D/Rs from the Warriors should compensate for the player losses. The Delport influence will see a much higher league placing.   

·         Maccelsfield – Lost a couple key personnel from last season’s promotion winning side. As a result it could well be a season of struggles; however there will be no doubt that they will be competitive.

·         Barking – Great big imponderable for the club is will they have the players to survive the step up. Certainly they have a great coaching set up, but the jury is still out on their survival chances.

·         Rosslyn Park – Park have recruited well during the summer and their squad is much stronger for NL1. They will probably now finish in the mid table area. They will raise their game against the better teams in the league, however the challenge for Park is against teams they will normally be expected to beat.   

Roll on the 4^th of September for the start of another cracking season of rugby.

At the CABs the players out v players in balance looks a little uneven and I must say there are some players we could have done with keeping.    I think though in Mal Roberts and Tony Roques we have a dedicated coaching team and if the usual CABs team spirit kicks in the new guys should come through ok. I gather we have some pretty talented youngsters coming along too. Looking forward to greeting visitors to Polson and hoping for some fantastic games this season. Might even make it north to sample Wharfdale hospitality as it does seem to come highly recommended

Originally posted by Exiled_Scots Two months on from my original predictions and most if not all teams in NL1 have been adding to their squads. In addition, a number of teams have lost players in the summer player merry go round of player movements. What impact will the changes have on the original predictions? The following are my adjustments/tweaks in light of these changes: ·         Wharfedale – On the face of it the squad appears to have lost more quality than they have gained.  A slightly lower position than initially predicted. ·         Blaydon – The club have lost a couple of their key players to the Falcons and unsure of whom they have brought in as replacements. Again a more realistic mid to lower table finish. ·         Coventry – Definitely a season of consolidation at best, however looking at their squad it now contains a majority of lower league players, who will be stepping up to NL1. The big question will be are they good enough to be competitive. Could see Coventry at the lower end of the table on the basis of their current squad to date. ·         Stourbridge – The relationship with the Warriors could well pay significant dividends for the club next season. Lost a few players over the summer to local rivals, however any one on loan or D/Rs from the Warriors should compensate for the player losses. The Delport influence will see a much higher league placing.    ·         Maccelsfield – Lost a couple key personnel from last season’s promotion winning side. As a result it could well be a season of struggles; however there will be no doubt that they will be competitive. ·         Barking – Great big imponderable for the club is will they have the players to survive the step up. Certainly they have a great coaching set up, but the jury is still out on their survival chances. ·         Rosslyn Park – Park have recruited well during the summer and their squad is much stronger for NL1. They will probably now finish in the mid table area. They will raise their game against the better teams in the league, however the challenge for Park is against teams they will normally be expected to beat.    Roll on the 4th of September for the start of another cracking season of rugby.

Tend to agree with you on the Wharfedale assesment ES although I understand that we have a young fly half from the Leeds Academy joining us for next season. However, if he does as well as Fordy did last term we might not see much of him !!!! Too much to ask I suppose

Moshat, interesting first post.  Based on what I've read in the Cov Telegraph I'd have to agree.  One or two signings that have played Level 3 and others from 4 & 5.  Anyone stepping up from levels 4, 5 & 6 will find it very difficult, and with the majority of the squad being players of this calibre it does not look good for Cov.  Once they've been on the end of a few hidings you could well see them melt back from whence they came.

Whilst I wouldn't be surprised to see Coventry struggling, I think that it's a bit unfair on players from 4,5,6 and below to describe the step up to level 3 as 'very difficult'. Many players who make the step up are amongst the best players in those leagues, and are often more than a match for many level 3 squad players. Whilst expecting them to suddenly be one of the stars of the club overnight might be too far a step, players from lower leagues routinely make sizeable contributions to the success of level 3 clubs year in, year out.

Some of the best traffic across the leagues is those making their way up, looking for new, tougher challenges and facing them head on, rather than those drifting downwards looking for a level to suit their commitments but with still half an eye on the recompense they once commanded.

What the new season will show is whether Coventry are selecting from the local cream, or doing a Manchester and grabbing at anything that moves. I'd expect it to be the former, under which scenario a mid-table finish is probably the most likely outcome. But irrespective of what's happening in the Midlands, let's be under no illusions that there are players in lower leagues more than capable of playing their part at this level, just as there are players at this level who would look at home in the Championship.

i agree with both comments completely about players stepping up, however i have seen the players they have signed and still stand by my original prediction, but since the season hasnt started yet i could be totally wrong come the end of the season

Originally posted by champion Originally posted by Hexhamshire Lad On the whole I agree with TOTH. There are several players who have stepped up successfully from lower leagues, but in general they would be one of two or three making the jump at the very most in a team. If the majority of the team are in the same boat, then that is where life starts to get very difficult This is my point.  Yes players step up and some do so very successfully.  But, TOTH, how would you feel if the bulk of Redruth's 1stXV had been playing level 4,5 & 6 rugby last season? Cov, according to their website, appear to have a handful of players with level 3 experience and I fully expect Tynedale to take them apart on sept 4

Most of Redruth's side were playing level 4 rugby when we got promoted, and we're still here so far! Indeed, most sides entering level 3 manage to stay up in their first season and often trouble the top half of the table.

The argument also extends to young players as well. Whilst some step into a 1st XV and excel, many others struggle to make an impact. Would Cambridge supporters be happier recruiting from level 4/5, from an Academy or from their own youth development programme? Which holds the more reliable short-term performances?

From the Redruth perspective, the vast majority of players who arrive at the Rec do so either from lower league neighbours (levels 4 and 5 - yeah right!!! 6-7 more likely!) or through our youth system, mainly because of the geography involved, so either scenario relies on some degree of stepping up their game. Based on the performances last year of the 49 players who wore the Red shirt, the quality of both recruitment streams bore sufficient fruit to see us through to the end of a tricky season.

I still expect Coventry to get a rude awakening though!

Originally posted by FoghornLeghorn Originally posted by Tea Ticket I'm agreeing with Wharfeman (again).   When you are relying on some of your squad to come from a Premiership Academy, to quote Forrest Gump 'life is like a box of chocolates, you just put your hand in and see what you get'. which is why I choose Turkish Delight, then Caramel, followed by Fudge and finally Toffee Buttons

Why ask for a Mars when you can have a Galaxy

Originally posted by FoghornLeghorn Originally posted by Red over White Why ask for a Mars when you can have a Galaxy I'm just happy to see any stars...............

That's very often all I am seeing......

btw....what's the topic?