Headhunter99 says...

The front row is a big issue for us, especially at hooker. We've struggled for years to find a 2 who could throw in straight to his jumpers and when we find one like Rob Webber he goes elsewhere. The lineout has always been our Achilles Heel, Trevor Leota bless him could not hit a jumper if he was a barn door but we still won loads of trophies.

Behind the pack I share the optimism of most, but again we need to develop a player of real nounce like we had with Fraser Walters. Dom Waldouck whilst only 24 appears dedicated to the club and might grow into this role.

I'm more confident about the next season as it cannot really be worse than this year. Thank the heavens for our new saviour St.Vesty of Bath, waving your arms before you score is truly a salutory lesson.

Posted 09:07 12th May 2012

sirtidychris says...

This was such a strange season for wasps with john hart, joe worsley, steve thompson, tom rees and dan ward-smith all retiring through injury and another 12 players have season ending or long term injuries...next year will not be the same, with a full squad playing again plus some quality signings.

Posted 18:53 11th May 2012

jestnation says...

@montyRN nailed it there.

The squad is packed full of talented youngsters and there's a good pool of experienced pros to pull them together. The return of Haskel and Palmer and the arrival of AJ give the pack superb resources in the back and second rows.

Looking forward to seeing Stephen Jones and Lee Thomas together as they both bring creativity, defensive solidity, experience and point scoring boots. With those two pulling strings for Wade, Varndell, Daly, Waldouck, Wallace et al it loos good behind the back. Would be nice to have experienced cover for the back three and I notice that Mr Voyce is soon to be clubless?!?!?

BUT what we really need is a dominant scrummaging prop. All the top clubs have at least one and the Tigers have about 26 of the buggers. Lets get trawling SA, NZ, Italy and Argentina for some giant horrible, hairy, bearded, bohemoth.

Get that sorted and we can start to move forward again.

Posted 13:51 11th May 2012

montyRN says...

@papachinzo

The production line is doing ok at the moment - players like Wade and Launchbury have obviously been getting the headlines with their inclusion for England, but you've also got Billy Vunipola, Sam Jones, Elliot Daly and Charlie Davies to name a few that have made regular 1st team appearances this year - Dom Waldouck is only 24 as well!

Add in a fit again Simpson for Davies to challenge, Ashley Johnson mentoring Vunipola, Poff doing the same for Sam Jones, choice of Palmer/Wentzl/Filipo in the Engine Room, and the only real concern is (as it has been for about 4 years) is the Front Row!!!

Posted 08:11 11th May 2012

papachinzo says...

hmm, in order for them to "rebuild" they might want to have a base of young players.

There's no point in signing all these old players if theirs no one to develop...

They'll end up doing this same process for the next few seasons until a few young stars come through, at which point they'll have no fans left.

Posted 22:49 10th May 2012

darthbok says...

you betcha-- clear out all the dandruff -- not a single decent player in the dearly departed -- lots of class coming in -ashley johnson is a monster and a real crowd pleaser

Posted 18:25 10th May 2012