bonaire wrote:
But we could be in the battle for a top four position in 2026 if we can add three quality players at centre,second and front row.
Lack of real pace is still an issue but a quality centre would give us a decent backline with the two wings we have and Moy/Rapana fighting for the full back role or even moving Rapana to centre.
Adding a couple of big name powerhouses to the forwards would make a huge difference but as i said we cant do any of this for 2026 without moving several of the 2025 signings on and possibly only Sao moving on if Cartwright extends would give us just one quota spot as it stands
Understand adding experience for 2025 to try and stabilize the clubs on field perfomance but there seems no strategy for 2026 given what is likely to be a lack of quota spots.and cap space
Of course there will be a strategy but their focus publicly at this time (and rightly so IMO) is on the upcoming season and the work that has been done to improve things at the club through a new head coach, staff, players, facilities and owner. In fact that is probably part of the strategy for 2026 when you think about it. They're doing a lot of PR work and it won't just be aimed at us fans but at the wider sport as a whole. As has been mentioned by others, our situation in recent seasons likely means that we aren't in a position to sign top quality players not just because of where we have finished in the table but also because the club will have developed a reputation over it's facilities, attitude etc. Putting on a PR front will help make us more attractive.
But the biggest thing that is going to make us more attractive is improving ourselves on the field. You mention that our signings for 2025 are to try and stabilise the club's on field performances which is a fair assessment but maybe the price we have had to pay to do that is these two/three year deals for players and that will hinder our 2026 recruitment. Maybe the club don't want to run before they can walk and we find ourselves in a position similar to 2014 and 2015 where we also didn't have a lot of room and manoeuvrability on the cap/quota but work was done to change that for 2026. Maybe the long term strategy is for 2027, not just in terms of getting our youngsters developed and ready but also in terms of improving our position for recruitment but that requires a different shorter term strategy that includes what we are able to do in 2026. Or maybe they are planning on ending a few contracts early for 2026 recruitment. Who knows? It's all if's, but's and maybes right now. Anything can happen and with FC it frequently does. Let's just get behind the club and enjoy the ride.
Statistics: Posted by Roam Ranger — Thu Jan 02, 2025 11:36 am — Replies 4152 — Views 771701
