No New Signings until 2017 - Jason Taylor Statement

[happy_tiger]

NT

I do understand what they doing and why

But if Mayer gets on twitter or any other media and complains about crowds at any venues like last season his hypocrisy will know no bounds

The club needs to take accountability for a lot of these problems

If fans choose not to renew memberships or attend games the club needs to blame itself , not the fans

 

[NT_Tiger]

Yeah, fair enough, but I suppose my perspective on it is that 'they', the club, management etc are all in the same leaky boat we are.
To me, there is no point blaming anybody in the current administration and I don't believe that they are necessarily the individuals accountable for problems they have inherited.
We can walk away from it, not renew, not attend games or whatever, 'they' can't. Their livelihoods depend on it as do the players. If 'supporters' do walk away, how will that affect the young players that can't? It will be a tough season with steep learning curves. Why make it any tougher? Give the young blokes fair support for fair effort.

 

[foreveratiger]

We all know we are a bit light on experience for next year and we have lost a few experienced players just recently , but this late in the year what player is available to be signed ? most players are back to pre Season training with there Clubs .
To sign players for the sake of plugging holes or to keep fans happy , would be a backward step in potentially getting a player of the caliber of say a Trent Merrin next year .
:smiley: tiger if you don't put as much expectation on us next year you won't be as disappointed mate , just keep the faith with the Hammers for the time being :wink:

 

[Guest]

We'll hold our own against most as long as the top 17-20 players stay healthy. The last couple of seasons has seen us exhaust the second tier cap though so we're due for a change of fortune.

 

[phil1986]

We'll hold our own against most as long as the top 17-20 players stay healthy. The last couple of seasons has seen us exhaust the second tier cap though so we're due for a change of fortune.

Yep I can see us being in the mix for 6-10 position if all are fit.

Injuries will be what could hurt us.

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[jirskyr]

We all know we are a bit light on experience for next year and we have lost a few experienced players just recently , but this late in the year what player is available to be signed ? most players are back to pre Season training with there Clubs .
To sign players for the sake of plugging holes or to keep fans happy , would be a backward step in potentially getting a player of the caliber of say a Trent Merrin next year .
:smiley: tiger if you don't put as much expectation on us next year you won't be as disappointed mate , just keep the faith with the Hammers for the time being :wink:

More to this foreveratiger, what I really want to know what good the "experienced" players did for us in 2013-2014.

We were getting toweled in some games at the end of last year, and I didn't see Blair or Thompson or Anasta manage anything to prevent that happening. In fact I often saw those blokes contribute just as many mistakes as the rookies, their heads went down just as often. Robbie Farah is one of our most experienced and yet arguably had his worst year for displaying his leadership qualities.

I can hardly recall a game since 2011 when we relied on experience to bring us to victory. Actually in 2010-11 it was the lack of big-game execution that let us down; in 2005 it was the reliance upon youth and flair that built an unstoppable momentum. We are such a momentum team, we've always played off the back of flair and unpredictability, that is why we are such a hard team to support, because you never know if we are too far ahead or too far behind. That is why we generally get good TV ratings.

I will understand people talking about the importance of experience when we sign or develop a player you can always turn to in crunch games; we haven't had a guy like that for many years, maybe Hodgo was our last one.

We have released blokes who are decent first graders, on a decent amount of coin, who have to date not done a whole lot about pulling the entire team out of a quagmire game. Sure they may have been professional, but Rowdy Lawrence is one of the most professional footballers on the planet and he is about as popular as Ebola right now.

 

[foreveratiger]

We all know we are a bit light on experience for next year and we have lost a few experienced players just recently , but this late in the year what player is available to be signed ? most players are back to pre Season training with there Clubs .
To sign players for the sake of plugging holes or to keep fans happy , would be a backward step in potentially getting a player of the caliber of say a Trent Merrin next year .
:smiley: tiger if you don't put as much expectation on us next year you won't be as disappointed mate , just keep the faith with the Hammers for the time being :wink:

More to this foreveratiger, what I really want to know what good the "experienced" players did for us in 2013-2014.

We were getting toweled in some games at the end of last year, and I didn't see Blair or Thompson or Anasta manage anything to prevent that happening. In fact I often saw those blokes contribute just as many mistakes as the rookies, their heads went down just as often. Robbie Farah is one of our most experienced and yet arguably had his worst year for displaying his leadership qualities.

I can hardly recall a game since 2011 when we relied on experience to bring us to victory. Actually in 2010-11 it was the lack of big-game execution that let us down; in 2005 it was the reliance upon youth and flair that built an unstoppable momentum. We are such a momentum team, we've always played off the back of flair and unpredictability, that is why we are such a hard team to support, because you never know if we are too far ahead or too far behind. That is why we generally get good TV ratings.

I will understand people talking about the importance of experience when we sign or develop a player you can always turn to in crunch games; we haven't had a guy like that for many years, maybe Hodgo was our last one.

We have released blokes who are decent first graders, on a decent amount of coin, who have to date not done a whole lot about pulling the entire team out of a quagmire game. Sure they may have been professional, but Rowdy Lawrence is one of the most professional footballers on the planet and he is about as popular as Ebola right now.

Brilliant post and well thought out :master:

 

[Tigermama]

Yeah, fair enough, but I suppose my perspective on it is that 'they', the club, management etc are all in the same leaky boat we are.
To me, there is no point blaming anybody in the current administration and I don't believe that they are necessarily the individuals accountable for problems they have inherited.
We can walk away from it, not renew, not attend games or whatever, 'they' can't. Their livelihoods depend on it as do the players. If 'supporters' do walk away, how will that affect the young players that can't? It will be a tough season with steep learning curves. Why make it any tougher? Give the young blokes fair support for fair effort.

Nicely said NT !

 

[Tigermama]

We all know we are a bit light on experience for next year and we have lost a few experienced players just recently , but this late in the year what player is available to be signed ? most players are back to pre Season training with there Clubs .
To sign players for the sake of plugging holes or to keep fans happy , would be a backward step in potentially getting a player of the caliber of say a Trent Merrin next year .
:smiley: tiger if you don't put as much expectation on us next year you won't be as disappointed mate , just keep the faith with the Hammers for the time being :wink:

More to this foreveratiger, what I really want to know what good the "experienced" players did for us in 2013-2014.

We were getting toweled in some games at the end of last year, and I didn't see Blair or Thompson or Anasta manage anything to prevent that happening. In fact I often saw those blokes contribute just as many mistakes as the rookies, their heads went down just as often. Robbie Farah is one of our most experienced and yet arguably had his worst year for displaying his leadership qualities.

I can hardly recall a game since 2011 when we relied on experience to bring us to victory. Actually in 2010-11 it was the lack of big-game execution that let us down; in 2005 it was the reliance upon youth and flair that built an unstoppable momentum. We are such a momentum team, we've always played off the back of flair and unpredictability, that is why we are such a hard team to support, because you never know if we are too far ahead or too far behind. That is why we generally get good TV ratings.

I will understand people talking about the importance of experience when we sign or develop a player you can always turn to in crunch games; we haven't had a guy like that for many years, maybe Hodgo was our last one.

We have released blokes who are decent first graders, on a decent amount of coin, who have to date not done a whole lot about pulling the entire team out of a quagmire game. Sure they may have been professional, but Rowdy Lawrence is one of the most professional footballers on the planet and he is about as popular as Ebola right now.

Brilliant post and well thought out :master:

I second that FT !

 

[Russell]

Some of the posts on this topic have been the most intelligent I have read in the last couple of years. Go jirskyr, foreveratiger and NT Tiger - well said all of you.

Yes we are a little light on, but some of our youngsters gained experience quickly.
e.g. Teddy and Santi in the World Cup for Italy, Taupau in Four Nations for NZ, Sue in World Cup and Four Nations and Simona in Four Nations for Samoa, Woods in Origin and Four nations for Australia. That's 6 players at International level + Robbie, Richards, Galloway and Rowdy - 4 more Internationals bringing the total to 10.
Halatau, Lulia and Moltzen have been around for donks and Nofo and Sironen have chalked up a season by now.

That's 15 players with quite a bit of experience - we know Brooks and Moses need more but Ava is getting there.

I see this coming year as a good one apart from the halves still to gain experience - but we will be surprised. As I say 2015 as a learning curve for the rest - playing as a team, working for each other in defence, backing up the man with the ball, always being aware of what is going to happen i.e. thinking ahead; maybe two plays. We have not done any of that stuff for years but I am absolutely sure that Taylor will be on about all that.

Once you start doing these things, it will surprise how quickly things come together and then you will see Moses and Brooks cut the opposition to pieces.

As we have all said - it will depend on injuries but hey! it has to be our turn to be smiled on by the injury Gods - doesn't it?

Final word is to be POSITIVE - if we can do half of what we should be doing we will make the eight and if we don't it can still be POSITIVE by lessons learned for 2016.

Sorry Peeps - need to push POSITIVE. Negative is a terrible way to die.

 

[TrueTiger]

I agree with an awful lot of the posts on this particular topic….

Once again I will say,if we we not hit with the injuries at the most significant part of the season in 2014,we don't really know how well these young fellas could have been if they stayed on the field altogether....
There was huge potential in the team to start with,unfortunately we were ravaged with the injuries at crucial times during the season.

I don't know what the mid season review contained,but the confidence in the team dropped dramatically,taking the wind out of the sails at an important time of the season with Potter trying to patch up an NRL side...didn't one of the papers say Potter had almost a whole first grade side on the sidelines...

So as Russell says,let's be positive in our posts and look to an impressive 2015 with a fully fit side.....I reckon there is heaps of potential to cause grief to a lot of the other teams....

 

[happy_tiger]

Some of the posts on this topic have been the most intelligent I have read in the last couple of years. Go jirskyr, foreveratiger and NT Tiger - well said all of you.

Yes we are a little light on, but some of our youngsters gained experience quickly.
e.g. Teddy and Santi in the World Cup for Italy, Taupau in Four Nations for NZ, Sue in World Cup and Four Nations and Simona in Four Nations for Samoa, Woods in Origin and Four nations for Australia. That's 6 players at International level + Robbie, Richards, Galloway and Rowdy - 4 more Internationals bringing the total to 10.
Halatau, Lulia and Moltzen have been around for donks and Nofo and Sironen have chalked up a season by now.

That's 15 players with quite a bit of experience - we know Brooks and Moses need more but Ava is getting there.

I see this coming year as a good one apart from the halves still to gain experience - but we will be surprised. As I say 2015 as a learning curve for the rest - playing as a team, working for each other in defence, backing up the man with the ball, always being aware of what is going to happen i.e. thinking ahead; maybe two plays. We have not done any of that stuff for years but I am absolutely sure that Taylor will be on about all that.

Once you start doing these things, it will surprise how quickly things come together and then you will see Moses and Brooks cut the opposition to pieces.

As we have all said - it will depend on injuries but hey! it has to be our turn to be smiled on by the injury Gods - doesn't it?

Final word is to be POSITIVE - if we can do half of what we should be doing we will make the eight and if we don't it can still be POSITIVE by lessons learned for 2016.

Sorry Peeps - need to push POSITIVE. Negative is a terrible way to die.

When they earn positive they'll get positive

Based on the last 8 weeks of 2014 , they didn't earn jack

 

[diedpretty]

I think this will be a great opportunity for the club to see what younger players have got what it takes to be a good FG player. Hopefully if our finances are a bit better next year we can offer these players upgrades to ward off the poachers that will no doubt be sniffing around (i.e. rorters, Bennett, bullfrogs). Those that don't have the ability can be let go along with a few first graders who have reached their end by date.

 

[guyofthetiger]

No other club is giving their juniors this opportunity. I don't care if we don't sign anyone, I just want our players to have pride in the jersey and play to the best of their ability each week. I would also like our coaching staff to develop our players and remove weaknesses. Is this really asking too much?
By the way who is head of our football operations? Is he/she a sleeper cell?

I feel the same way, but the trouble is the stronger teams are getting stronger while the weaker teams are getting weaker, and the risk of young players getting busted before their time defending for 80 minutes a week is a genuine concern.

really? IIRC 2014 was the most even season in i dont know how many years. 10 or 20.

especially midway through the season. roosters won the minor premiership with one of the worst ever win records, 30 pts needed for the 8\. crazy stuff.

That's true, but it seemed the comp was even to me because the quality of football all round was poor.
In the end, the bigger forward packs prevailed, while the rest dropped off with injury and an inability to compete strength-wise.
If our young forwards can stand the heat in 2015, we've got more flair in our playmakers than was ever shown this year, and may do well.
Just hope they don't get belted and burnt out prematurely.

 

[foreveratiger]

I think this will be a great opportunity for the club to see what younger players have got what it takes to be a good FG player. Hopefully if our finances are a bit better next year we can offer these players upgrades to ward off the poachers that will no doubt be sniffing around (i.e. rorters, Bennett, bullfrogs). Those that don't have the ability can be let go along with a few first graders who have reached their end by date.

Yeah agreed mate, but Lodge needs to be signed now on a 3 year deal I believe, if he plays himself into form and makes the City vs Country side, by Round 10 if he's not signed I would hate to hear that a Club like Roosters have signed him 😱pen_mouth:, this Forum will be Mayhem.
I can see 3 to 4 players making there debut next year and if they prove to be a sucess in 1st grade you would think we can keep the poachers away and extend there Contracts with some funds we have freed up.

 

[pHyR3]

We'll hold our own against most as long as the top 17-20 players stay healthy. The last couple of seasons has seen us exhaust the second tier cap though so we're due for a change of fortune.

agreed, depth is extremely poor this year. anything close to last year's injury toll will see us absolutely plummet on the ladder. If we stay fit, we'll be there or thereabouts, nothing amazing unless the spine clicks and decimates everything haha

 

[tig_prmz]

We'll hold our own against most as long as the top 17-20 players stay healthy. The last couple of seasons has seen us exhaust the second tier cap though so we're due for a change of fortune.

I think so too esp in the first 50-60 minutes much like this year. However, I don't think or backend of each game and the entire season will be as good because the young blokes won't be able to last the 80 despite the new S and C dept

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[Cosimo_Zaretti]

Yep I can see us being in the mix for 6-10 position if all are fit.

Injuries will be what could hurt us.

No such thing as tenth place in this competition. First through eighth qualify for the actual competition in September, the rest finish on equal sixteenth.

 

[supercoach]

2015 will be like the back end of 2014, their will be games like the dogs game where they blow teams off the park, with the likes of Teddy and Moses having a picnic, but in the main they will not be able to handle the grind, their defensive structures will not hold up due to inexperience and physically and mentally they will hit the wall.

I am not so worried about the players we lost rather than the players we did not sign. We did not need much, a player life Hoffman who left the Storm would have been great, a seasoned top notch backrower. Lets face it since Ellis departed, we have steadily headed downwards.

I admire peoples optimism, but if things go pear shape in 2015, some of our junior "super stars" could be scared for life

 

[foreveratiger]

2015 will be like the back end of 2014, their will be games like the dogs game where they blow teams off the park, with the likes of Teddy and Moses having a picnic, but in the main they will not be able to handle the grind, their defensive structures will not hold up due to inexperience and physically and mentally they will hit the wall.

I am not so worried about the players we lost rather than the players we did not sign. We did not need much, a player life Hoffman who left the Storm would have been great, a seasoned top notch backrower. Lets face it since Ellis departed, we have steadily headed downwards.

I admire peoples optimism, but if things go pear shape in 2015, some of our junior "super stars" could be scared for life

Supercoach very hard to argue with everything you've just said , i think your spot on .
I do admit i'm trying to be more positive than my gut feeling is really telling me , the 1st 6 Rounds this year we played some very good footy and if injuries didn't hit us as hard as they did who knows what could of been .
If we stay injury free we should be reasonably competitive but injuries will happen cause where young and inexperienced also State of Origin is going to kill us with potentially Aaron Woods and Farah missing .