Squad 19/20

[Wottie]

It's 1872 week, we are sitting top of our Champion's Cup group and we have announced nothing about signings or contract renewals for next season yet. This is the week we can expect a few announcements I would think as they ramp up the PR ahead of the Glasgow fixture. Cockers has also been ramping up the pressure on the SRU to get us a budget more in line with that which the Weeg enjoy and we do need to recruit for our backline. In meantime, we have 21 contracts expiring this year and it would be nice to get some news this week on Gilco, Mish, Henry, and I would say Hamilton, who has been absolutely outstanding for us this season and critical with the injuries we have had in the back row.

[The Feral Goat]

Looks like Glasgow are announcing one signing a day this week in the run up to the match. I know they have more ooc than us but don't know how coordinated by the SRU the process is in terms of release of announcements. Don't think we will have many this week but on the back of the champions Cup I think a big re-signing is likely, probably watson.

While we do have a fair number ooc I suspect we may see a bit of turnover again this season as Cockerill completes his rebuild.

[STKS]

I would have thought we'd keep our powder dry until the summer, build some hype around the club as we start selling season tickets for Minifield.

[Wottie]

I would have thought we'd keep our powder dry until the summer, build some hype around the club as we start selling season tickets for Minifield.

You do realise that our two games at home to Glasgow accounted for 48.5% of the total attendances at BTM and Myreside last season. I think that would suggest it would be worth getting some of that powder wet this week don't you?

[STKS]

I would have thought we'd keep our powder dry until the summer, build some hype around the club as we start selling season tickets for Minifield.

You do realise that our two games at home to Glasgow accounted for 48.5% of the total attendances at BTM and Myreside last season. I think that would suggest it would be worth getting some of that powder wet this week don't you?

I think that's proof that these games have no issue selling themselves. (re)signing news is of more interest to regular fans who would be considering a season ticket. The 1872 games are billed as more of a spectacle in order to attract fans who may not attend any other club rugby games this year. I'm going with a few friends who fall into that bracket, never been to a club rugby game but want to go to this. Don't think my friends, or people like them, would be swayed to buy an 1872 ticket because a player they've never heard of will be here for two more years.

[The Feral Goat]

I would have thought we'd keep our powder dry until the summer, build some hype around the club as we start selling season tickets for Minifield.

Think with it being an RWC year focus will be elsewhere plus, at present, not being in a champions Cup qualification spot for next year we need to make hay now get some big re-signings announced.

If we can get out our group this year and qualify again next season I think ST sales will improve without too much work.

[Wottie]

In the week before the first 1872 last year we had; Lay, Fife, Johnston, Matta, Crosbie, Ritchie and Carmichael announced.

[STKS]

In the week before the first 1872 last year we had; Lay, Fife, Johnston, Matta, Crosbie, Ritchie and Carmichael announced.

Seeing as it's on Saturday they are clearly behind schedule then... Either that or they are saving it.

But as i mentioned, this isn't the sort of event that you would use that type of marketing, there may well be a (re)signing new this week, but i doubt it will be anything like last year or what Glasgow are doing. This year we have a smaller stadium with fewer season tickets to sell, time will come to make a big fuss about next year and i don't think it's yet. I can envisage us doing something like Bristol did this year with a crazy day of announcements that shows up all over social media right before season tickets go on sale.

[dolf_lundgren]

Agree it is likely. We will have a big splash around ST sales. Although I think we may lose a couple we would rather keep too.
When is John Barclay due back? Hopefully not long now and that would be good news to announce before the weekend!

[Friday Knight Lights]

I thought at the start of the season we had too many backrows but injuries had other ideas.

Hopefully we can keep Hamilton and Watson, wonder if Miller will stick around.

Centres I think we need to replace Bennett. Just haven't got production from him and he'll be on a decent wedge.

[EWT spoons]

Agree it is likely. We will have a big splash around ST sales. Although I think we may lose a couple we would rather keep too.
When is John Barclay due back? Hopefully not long now and that would be good news to announce before the weekend!

Cockers said the other day that it would be late Jan before Barclay is back.

[Weegie]

I thought at the start of the season we had too many backrows but injuries had other ideas.

Hopefully we can keep Hamilton and Watson, wonder if Miller will stick around.

Centres I think we need to replace Bennett. Just haven't got production from him and he'll be on a decent wedge.

Miller has been on a sevens contract since the start of the year.

[Tichtheid]

Agree it is likely. We will have a big splash around ST sales. Although I think we may lose a couple we would rather keep too.
When is John Barclay due back? Hopefully not long now and that would be good news to announce before the weekend!

Cockers said the other day that it would be late Jan before Barclay is back.

Presumably he wouldn't go straight into the Scotland set up. We should have Bradbury and Ritchie back by that point though both of them plus Watson could be in the 6N squad.

Mata will be here, we'll need Miller again, if Carmichael isn't back by late January we should be worried about his long term future in the game.

[Friday Knight Lights]

I thought at the start of the season we had too many backrows but injuries had other ideas.

Hopefully we can keep Hamilton and Watson, wonder if Miller will stick around.

Centres I think we need to replace Bennett. Just haven't got production from him and he'll be on a decent wedge.

Miller has been on a sevens contract since the start of the year.

It's unfortunate because Miller showed some ability but just no space for him.

It's the Millers, Wynnes etc that would benefit from a third pro team.

[STKS]

It's the Millers, Wynnes etc that would benefit from a third pro team.

Really wish the SRU would put more work into London Scottish to develop talent rather than to use it as a place for players that have no use anymore. That's a whole other thread though.