I am starting to like the idea of having two full backs. It’s now the most important position on the park, why not have two roving players chiming in the Line whilst still providing twice the defence?? We may be on to something that will reshape the game. Back to being trendsetters. I like it.
Coote is a hybrid. 50% matty smith 50% Hohaia.
The Flannery narrative "great in the dressing room does the things nobody sees" by Easter.
Somebody in recruitment wet themselves when Barba wanted out and Coote is the result.
I’m going to take the novel and unusual approach of seeing him the red vee before I make a judgement. Let’s give him a chance eh!
Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional
He did alright. He was never a half back and he never had a good 7 partnering him. It was always chopping and changing but I think if we would have had a prime Sean Long partnering him we would have seen a different player in Hohaia
I think both him and McManus were to blame in the expectations though. Hohaia would only come if he was guaranteed to play at 6 and McManus called him a “genuine marquee signing” when he clearly wasn’t. Once you start saying things like that then the player has to start delivering.
When we were first linked with him I was a little disappointed, towards the end of season I started to think he could be what we're missing. We need someone to guide Richardson, help organise, take the right option and pick the right pass. We have Lomax Percival Grace Makinson with strike. We need someone with a kicking game, the wire semi showed how bad our end of sets were.
He needs a big start to the season, he's took over from Ben barba so he's going to be under the microscope, especially with our fans. If the fans turn after the first part of the season then I think the writing will be on the wall.
Seen on his Instagram this morning, he's here, up at 3am, jet lag and the kids. Really hope he goes well for us and wish him all the best. Looking forward to next season now to see what Holbrook has planned for us this year.
Coote seems a very professional guy, I doubt we'll have much trouble from him. In terms of his ability, he's a classy player. He'll be like Hodgson was at Warrington I think. Solid defensively, sound under the high ball and classy when he chimes into the line. But he's not got the athleticism to be a threat and we certainly won't be scoring as many points as we did last year. Losing Barba also puts enormous pressure back on Lomax and Richardson, neither of which are ultimately capable of handling it IMO. (Note, not slagging Lomax off, he's a classy player, but he needs someone creative with him as teams next year will just be able to push on him as Coote won't have the same danger Barba brought).
We need an old school steady, experienced scrum half plus a couple of big units in the forwards.
Whether it hindered Richardson's development or not doesn't bother me. I want us to win stuff
Good job we didn't follow 'Stevo's' recommendation.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/46259969
It’s going to be interesting to see who else we pick up if we allow Morgan, Amor and Swift to depart too. I expect the first priority is to tie Luke Thompson up to an improved contract.
or holiday?
Learned comment from The Don