A deeper squad.

[will311293]

The further concern is that we are relying on 12 who is now 38/39 today! (Happy Birthday Jimmy  ) and his replacement in Mills can't get fit/shake off injuries.

We need to consider this as a gaping hole as without a ball playing 12/15 (why Atkinson i think was placed at 15), we struggle to get continuous front foot ball with only Umaga leading the line.

[Horusthewasp]

With today’s fantastic news that Carr is ‘re-rejoining’, here’s where we stand:

....

Out of contract:
....
     - Morris
....

You can edit the post and move him now to confirmed contract renewals. Only Gopperth, Miller and Vukasinovic to sort out.

I will probably be proved wrong but to my mind the only real question is Jimmy as he was quoted in an interview as saying he was in discussions.  Rob signed an extension but we never know how long and Bobby has said he is here next year. Jack in one of his interviews said he would be in Rehab with Theo (by name) for most of the rest of this year which suggests he is still in contract.

@NWW - done!

@Neils, the only niggle I have with Miller is that Lol had mentioned in the game against Leicester that he was off. Although not an official announcement, the concern is that a (non-executive) club director wouldn’t make such a public statement unless he knew something. Remember he made a similar statement about Brookes.

Agree Vukasinovic is less of a conundrum. Given our second row issues, I can’t see us letting him go and I doubt he was ‘headhunted’.

I don’t think we should worry about Jimmy.

@Steve, like Neils mentioned this is what Gopperth said just 8 weeks a go:

"I'm sorting some things out (contract-wise). I'm not putting the coaching hat on just yet. I have got a few years left yet in my playing career, for sure. The way I'm feeling now I'm really keen to keep playing so we'll just crack on with that."

Nothing has been confirmed/announced since then. I firmly believe Gopperth still has at least one more solid year in the playing squad.

Given the Carr announcement yesterday and Morris’ this morning, I hope we get a few more announcements this week including confirmation of Gopperth & Miller’s futures and the announcement of a new second row and centre.

[DGP Wasp]

I'm sure Jimmy will still be with us next season.  Sounds like he's keen to get a new playing contract.  Maybe the club see him increasingly in a coaching role, so the details of that mix could be taking time to iron out.  This season just gone is the first time we have even started to see signs that time might finally be catching up with him as he's had less playing time (despite Mills' unavailability), and in games he has played he's not shown quite the influence of old.  No question he can definitely still be a very useful player for Wasps, but maybe not the super-human efforts of past seasons where he has dragged the team, and especially emerging players around him, through games (eg Sarries away last year).

He turns 38 today.  Not many players are still playing at all at that age.  Maybe he's holding out for a 2 year playing deal to take him to 40?

[InBetweenWasp]

Are we at risk of overplaying our 'issues' with the 12 shirt?

-- Jimmy has another year+ left player (according to Jimmy himself) which kind of helps with the Mills situation to either work out does he get back to full fitness, or do we need to recruit a Mills style 12

-- Atkinson has all the right attributes on paper but also has the right attributes to play 10,12,13 and 15.  He's only just had his first proper season, but looks very promising

-- MLB is often criticised, but he's still learning and has looked better each season.  Devoto wasn't first choice at Chiefs for his first couple of seasons and couldn't get much game time for Bath.  We also spat-out Mark Atkinson for not being good enough and look how he flourished at Gloucester with game time and some backing (after a stint at Bedford)

-- Spink/Simmonds in the academy who are by all accounts showing some promise

-- Fekitoa has looked out place at 12, I think a lot of that is to do with defensive positioning - He can't jump out of the line like he can at 13 to make a big hit and cut-off the opposing Wingers. We might find time helps him settle back into 12 as an option.

We've got solutions to our problems in the squad and I think working out what we what from our 12 - Very few 12's have it all like Jimmy does and we've really been spoilt by him in the past 5 years or so (and is perhaps why there's momentum from fans to see Charlie at 12 as we have seen he can run, pass, kick and tackle).  So I think we need to be more prescriptive over what we want from our 12. 

[Neils]

Horusthewasp @Neils, the only niggle I have with Miller is that Lol had mentioned in the game against Leicester that he was off. Although not an official announcement, the concern is that a (non-executive) club director wouldn’t make such a public statement unless he knew something. Remember he made a similar statement about Brookes.

I agree he said it but as soon as the game was over BB added the line about next season in his ratings review. I can't imagine that was printed without checking with Lee at post match interviews. PLus such a club stalwart not getting a pitch presentation after the Tigers match kind of seals it for me - unless a players one appears in the next 36 hours (contracts run out at midnight tomorrow).

[Horusthewasp]

I suspect you’re right Neils - hopefully Minozzi recovers from his eye surgery during the summer break and we can hit the ground running with both Miller & Minozzi competing for the 15 shirt and Crossdale & Atkinson providing injury cover and for development.

[baldpaul101]

both Miller & Minozzi competing for the 15 shirt and Crossdale & Atkinson

I think Mehson is a winger/full back too IIRC?

[Horusthewasp]

both Miller & Minozzi competing for the 15 shirt and Crossdale & Atkinson

I think Mehson is a winger/full back too IIRC?

Good question - not sure. The press release for Crossdale said he was a “back three” while Mehson’s only refers to him as a “winger”.

[Shugs]

Full back wise we have loads of options. Minozzi, Miller (will stay I believe), Mehson, Crossdale, Watson, Simmonds and even Atkinson. I don't foresee a problem there. Also, agree we have options at 12 - including the fact that Mills gets fit.

[hopwood]

Full back wise we have loads of options. Minozzi, Miller (will stay I believe), Mehson, Crossdale, Watson, Simmonds and even Atkinson. I don't foresee a problem there. Also, agree we have options at 12 - including the fact that Mills gets fit.

My concern is whether any of those guys are of a quality that will help us challenge for a Top 4 spot.
There are some great 15's in the Prem...and even the likes of Tyrone Green coming through at Quins.
I'm just not sure we have that quality in such a key position.

And yes...we desperately need Mills fit.

[will311293]

Full back wise we have loads of options. Minozzi, Miller (will stay I believe), Mehson, Crossdale, Watson, Simmonds and even Atkinson. I don't foresee a problem there. Also, agree we have options at 12 - including the fact that Mills gets fit.

My concern is whether any of those guys are of a quality that will help us challenge for a Top 4 spot.
There are some great 15's in the Prem...and even the likes of Tyrone Green coming through at Quins.
I'm just not sure we have that quality in such a key position.

And yes...we desperately need Mills fit.

TBF though they need to be given that chance... look at Quins... Smith was thrown into the limelight and flourished in Demetri Catrakilis freak eye injury. Green wasn't getting a look in before Gustard let and Murley/Lynagh/Northmore only got chances because of injuries to Tapaui/Earle/Estherhuizen (Ban)/ Lasike.

Same with Kennigham taking Evans spot.

Lads need a chance to flourish to get to that level. 20 mins here and there doesn't make a player. I agree Mills has to be fit but with Spink and Simmonds back (fingers crossed fit) and Mehson and Crossdale needing to prove something, i think we will do well.