Transfers Rumours

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

See we're being linked to James Grayson...really?

Why?
We have Will Haydon Wood and Louie Johnson...and Brett Connon who's solid if nothing more.

Why bring in Another young 10?

Grayson has a decently high ceiling imo

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I mean Louie Johnson is 18 realistically he isn’t a Smith and someone you could back to start 10 for another couple season.

Grayson is 23, played 50 prem games already and looks good enough at this level at the very least.

 

[Geordie]

Yes but we have Haydon Wood who is making the shirt his own.

If Grayson is happy to come and share the 10 shirt? Maybe....

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Yes but we have Haydon Wood who is making the shirt his own.

If Grayson is happy to come and share the 10 shirt? Maybe....

Grayson comes in a starter surely

 

[Geordie]

Grayson comes in a starter surely

Why? When Haydon Wood is showing up excellent and is a home grown youngster? What message does that send out?

PS im not disputing Grayson would be a very good signing....im disputing bringing young players in when we have our own quality young payers in that very position.

With our budget we have to use our money wisely.

Use our academy and local clubs where possible and only bring in players from outside in positions we are struggling in.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Grayson comes in a starter surely

Over Haydon-Wood? I’m not convinced. It’s definitely not as cut and dry as you’re making it seem.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Why? When Haydon Wood is showing up excellent and is a home grown youngster? What message does that send out?

PS im not disputing Grayson would be a very good signing....im disputing bringing young players in when we have our own quality young payers in that very position.

With our budget we have to use our money wisely.

Use our academy and local clubs where possible and only bring in players from outside in positions we are struggling in.

Sorry I could have worded it better - more that (in the nicest way possible) why would he go to Newcastle if he wasn't assured he would come in as the starter?

 

[BPM]

I guess it depends what’s going on with Connon and Hodgson. If either or both are moving on, Grayson and Haydon-Wood could alternate while Johnson gains experience in the cup etc.

If Connon is staying, it doesn’t really make sense. You may as well not sign Grayson and just have Connon as the experienced option while Haydon-Wood and Johnson develop.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Sorry I could have worded it better - more that (in the nicest way possible) why would he go to Newcastle if he wasn't assured he would come in as the starter?

Because even if he isn’t assured to be a starter, it’s probably his best chance of fighting to be one.

I imagine he definitely wants out of Northampton because he’s never going to be starting over Biggar. And then where else has even a slight opening at 10? Falcons are probably Grayson’s best chance of getting a start, whether he’s assured that starting spot or not. But I definitely don’t think it’s a case of him just walking straight into the XV.

 

[Geordie]

Sorry I could have worded it better - more that (in the nicest way possible) why would he go to Newcastle if he wasn't assured he would come in as the starter?

Oh i agree...Newcastle is not a particularly appealing proposition at the moment...and we're never likely to be title contenders, more the relegation fodder...BUT with better coaching (hopefully we get shot of the whole lot this summer) we could be a good place to play and enjoy some rugby.

People like Tuigamala and Hayman etc loved it here. Tuigamala even tweeted just a few weeks ago about his beloved falcons.

 

[Geordie]

I guess it depends what’s going on with Connon and Hodgson. If either or both are moving on, Grayson and Haydon-Wood could alternate while Johnson gains experience in the cup etc.

If Connon is staying, it doesn’t really make sense. You may as well not sign Grayson and just have Connon as the experienced option while Haydon-Wood and Johnson develop.

Connons contract is up in the summer, and Hodgson just needs to be released now.

I'd Keep Connon purely as a solid back up. The salary could then be used better elsewhere.

 

[Geordie]

And again guys, im not disputing Graysons ability....im just very aware of our financial situation and that we do have a very strong academy and need to make use of it.

We have to start using our salary better...ie the Mike Brown signing was a joke...and hes been pretty woeful on the pitch, hence why hes going in the summer.

We need value for money..when you dont have much.

For example Going in to next season our FB options could be Tom Penny and Iwan Stephens...now THAT is exciting!

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

But it is using your cap wisely getting someone like Grayson in.
It's a long season reality is most teams need 2 10's that are good, if one gets crocked and you don't have a good 10 back up then the whole season goes tits up.

Personally I'm not sold on Connon I always preferred Craig Willis tbh.

Mike Brown signing hard to say if it's a joke without knowing how much he is on, it didn't work out from a playing pov but don't underestimate how much someone like Penny can learn from it.

 

[BPM]

I doubt Grayson is in a position to be demanding a particularly high salary TBH. If Connon is off, it’s good business IMO. Grayson and Haydon-Wood should push each other and give Johnson time to develop.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Ummm any of actually watch Grayson? He’s our third choice FH behind Biggar and Furbank.

We all thought he had a high ceiling but he hasn’t really kicked on and whenever he plays he does come across like a second or third choice player.

Hands off his brother though!

 

[Geordie]

Ummm any of actually watch Grayson? He’s our third choice FH behind Biggar and Furbank.

We all thought he had a high ceiling but he hasn’t really kicked on and whenever he plays he does come across like a second or third choice player.

Hands off his brother though!

Now Ethan....ill take your hand off for him!

 

[Geordie]

I doubt Grayson is in a position to be demanding a particularly high salary TBH. If Connon is off, it’s good business IMO. Grayson and Haydon-Wood should push each other and give Johnson time to develop.

If Connon is off, then yes i could go along with that, but not at the expense of Haydon Wood being bench, and Grayson first choice starter. It would have to be a shared job.

 

[BPM]

Ummm any of actually watch Grayson? He’s our third choice FH behind Biggar and Furbank.

We all thought he had a high ceiling but he hasn’t really kicked on and whenever he plays he does come across like a second or third choice player.

Hands off his brother though!

This season, that might be fair. Prior to that he’s looked pretty good IMO. Perhaps his confidence has been knocked by Boyd preferring Furbank at 10 when Biggar’s not around?

Unlike you to take the extreme view

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

This season, that might be fair. Prior to that he’s looked pretty good IMO. Perhaps his confidence has been knocked by Boyd preferring Furbank at 10 when Biggar’s not around?

Unlike you to take the extreme view

I actually don’t think it’s an extreme view though (insert face palm emoji thing).

Even last season he wasn’t trusted as 2nd choice when we had other options available at FB but otherwise we used Furbank at FH. I’m not saying he’s a bad player but he’s not what I’d call a good 2nd choice let alone 3rd choice mostly for a club that’s usually around mid table.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sale media day today Axe said we've got one more player coming in, three leaving that aren't officially announced yet

My guess:
Tom O'Flaherty in (those "in the know" seem to thinks it's all done)
Faf, Lood, Akker out

Also said RdP has multiple seasons left on his contract and will be playing centre as his main position going forwards - hopefully Rob being under contract when the twins are out means they're more likely to stick around