Rumours thread

[Vespula Vulgaris]

Based on the state of our academy, the youngsters who came through at the start of this season, and those who may be ready to start getting involved in the bigger games I'm not massively worried about us signing or not signing big names.  If we do then great, if we don't I can live with that too.

If we're going to be spending money on bringing people to be part of Wasps I'm more interested in growing the coaching team.

[HDAWG]

I don't think we should change our squad. But where players are leaving/need replacing we ought to do that.

E.g. Searle needs replacing. Shields and Sopoaga may need replacing. But for all 3 distribution of money will be different if we get replacements and I'd ideally prefer to spend less as well.

We need to be smarter with our funds. Investment in academy and coaching us a good shout. But I'm still concerned over 10 and 12 in terms of current depth and how long Gopperth+Sopoaga will be here.

[Shugs]

Yes, not sure I'd be worried about "penny pinching". I like the direction we're moving in in terms of academy development. I'd like to target retaining our front row which has been really good this year and we should be throwing money at Willis. I'd happily go in with Umaga and Sopoaga even if Sopoaga is number two. For me Miller is a more than adequate third choice and I think Gopperth will still be around.

[backdoc]

The key thing to me is not to allow another Stuart to occur.

The young guys have talked about their group culture and it is this that will determine our trajectory in the next half decade. The quality of some of these newcomers is staggering - I well remember the last tranch of Daly/Launch/Wade/Jones. To have 9 of them in one season, and to have so much match time for Wolstenholme, Cardell, Flament, Ogre, and of course Jacob - already this season [8 games in] is a big boost, even if we are not yet winning games. It was the same in 2011.

[coddy]

I'd be happy with just Loz, I know Sirker is out long term but we still have 4 premiership class wingers and if Bassett continues his recent form he's on a par with Maitland.

[BdeB]

Twitter rumour that there will be changes at the top of the Wasps coaching team as early as Monday.

[coddy]

Twitter rumour that there will be changes at the top of the Wasps coaching team as early as Monday.

Got a link?

[Hymenoptera]

Beardmore from Eggchasers.
About as in the know as my nan. More likely they are changing the team bus.

[Raggs]

Beardmore from Eggchasers.
About as in the know as my nan. More likely they are changing the team bus.

Could well be the Blackett to Cov thing.

[MarleyWasp]

Timing would make sense. Would give the players a week off, then 2 weeks to adapt before the next match.

[JonnyD]

How about poaching a coach from Sarries instead.

Sanderson to step up as head coach under Dai as DOR. Sanderson is always fantastic when interviewed pitchside.

Loz and Skelton all day long for me, Skelton would make such an impact with his carrying work compared to our other locks, bit of an enforcer role too which we’ve not had for a long time, sure he’ll end up in france next though

[Rossm]

Frankly, I wouldn't touch anyone, and that includes coaches, with a bargepole if they come from the Estate Agents. They are all tainted to some degree.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

Twitter rumour that there will be changes at the top of the Wasps coaching team as early as Monday.

Interesting!  I've been half expecting to see some movement since the start of the season.

Time will tell I suppose.

[Neils]

It would be a step forward but can't help feeling it is based on the article by BB earlier in the week.

[mike909]

I personally hope for some change/action. It feels too much like the best we've had this season is a number of false dawns - the good performances have been a bit random and whilst I think we saw - perhaps - what our plan is vs Agen - we need to become more consistent in terms of performance.