Always a Wasp
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31
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: What should Borthwick do next?
« on: December 22, 2022, 09:01:41 PM »
I suspect one of his first announcements will be to confirm his captain.
That will say something about the make up of his squad.
Will it be Farrell, or will it be someone else?
If it's Farrell, I'll immediately feel that it's more of the same for the next few years, and whether or not it turns out that way, I'm sure that it'll taint my first impressions
That will say something about the make up of his squad.
Will it be Farrell, or will it be someone else?
If it's Farrell, I'll immediately feel that it's more of the same for the next few years, and whether or not it turns out that way, I'm sure that it'll taint my first impressions
32
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Playing and coaching staff rumours
« on: December 22, 2022, 12:30:53 PM »
I'm still on the fence with this.
When we moved from High Wycombe to Coventry, some people said that it wasn't Wasps any more.
But to me, it was the players that I followed, and Dai. I don't know one club owner / executive from another so I couldn't care less who owns/ runs the business.
Seeing Dai at the Ricoh, with the likes of Launchbury, Simmo, Wade, Varndell, Jones etc was more than enough for me to feel that it was still my club.
We're now in a situation where we'll have new owner, executives, coaches, players, ground.
Literally the only thing that might tie the new club to my club is shirt colours and a logo.
Honestly, that might be enough, but right now, I'm not sure.
An attractive, attacking style of rugby would certainly help, but I think that'll be very difficult to achieve when throwing an entire squad together at short notice
When we moved from High Wycombe to Coventry, some people said that it wasn't Wasps any more.
But to me, it was the players that I followed, and Dai. I don't know one club owner / executive from another so I couldn't care less who owns/ runs the business.
Seeing Dai at the Ricoh, with the likes of Launchbury, Simmo, Wade, Varndell, Jones etc was more than enough for me to feel that it was still my club.
We're now in a situation where we'll have new owner, executives, coaches, players, ground.
Literally the only thing that might tie the new club to my club is shirt colours and a logo.
Honestly, that might be enough, but right now, I'm not sure.
An attractive, attacking style of rugby would certainly help, but I think that'll be very difficult to achieve when throwing an entire squad together at short notice
33
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: News incoming?
« on: December 19, 2022, 02:17:57 PM »The Portway site is just a field with clubhouse, not suitable for use in the Championship.
Really? What about Caldy? Or Ampthill? Great clubs with fantastic fans - proper rugby.
Baldpaul is spot on. I think we need to manage our expectations a bit more and have a great deal more humility. And I for one would rather not antagonise other Championship Clubs' supporters before we even get there.
Absolutely
Just being competitive in the championship would be impressive
34
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Playing and coaching staff rumours
« on: December 19, 2022, 02:14:34 PM »
To be honest, part of me would be quite upset if players like Tom Willis were playing for us next season.
I suspect we'll be paying less than minimal wages (compared to premiership), and players like Tom should be getting so much more than that.
I suspect we'll be paying less than minimal wages (compared to premiership), and players like Tom should be getting so much more than that.
35
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: News incoming?
« on: December 18, 2022, 06:30:18 AM »It’s just telling me that we will be in the championship for at least 3 years and if we want to be premiership club we most probably have to move again.
Don’t tell me it was our only option otherwise we won’t be in existence.
I don’t won’t Wasps used again by some people trying to make money at the expense of the fans. Is this really existing or is it another rugby club that now has the same logo has we use to have
I'm on the fence at the moment. I don't know how I'll feel about this club until we've actually got a squad together and are taking to the field.
Personally, i don't think I have a problem with us being a championship club. I have no expectations of us getting promoted immediately. A club of 30-40 players thrown together within 6 months has absolutely no right to get promoted.
What other options do you feel are open to the new owners?
36
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: News incoming?
« on: December 17, 2022, 09:17:31 PM »So still 1 1/2 hours to drive to. Was hoping it would be closer, not sure I’ll be going to often.Wasn’t possible Westy. Had to be near the CBSA.
Let’s hope we don’t mess this up. Not sure we will be in the premiership for a few years, if ever
I except that, just seriously pissed off by the bullshit we were given about the move to Coventry. I the lies over the last few years have been staggering and I really hope some legal action is taken against our ‘old’ board.
The things I have issues with are how much more bullshit we will be given and with a ground that only holds 5,500, poor parking and no pubs close by, are we just going to be a championship side. How on earth can they double the size off the stadium and provide parking
What would you prefer right now?
1) a new board that's trying everything they can to ensure the club exists next year, then if that means sharing at a ground that is less than perfect for us
Or
2) a board that says "you're right Westy, it's not worth it if the parking is a bit crappy and there's no pub, let's not bother"
37
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Playing and coaching staff rumours
« on: December 17, 2022, 08:09:41 AM »
Another article here from 2018 that says £30-40k would be for the highest paid player in the squad
https://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/what-to-do-about-championship-rugby-/22158.htm
https://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/what-to-do-about-championship-rugby-/22158.htm
38
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: News incoming?
« on: December 17, 2022, 08:03:38 AM »Much easier to get to! Park at my dad's and walk across!If that's a invitation I'll take you up on it and buy you a pint or two
Is there a viable location for a shuttle service to run from?
A park and ride? A local rail station?
I used to use the shuttle service at high Wycombe and while it could be a little frustrating at times, it certainly solved some problems
If you're Lichfield way (or around there) more than welcome to catch lifts!
Edit: the walk isn't as short as I thought! But it's at least through the park and perhaps easier than stressing about trying to park at the ground.
39
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Playing and coaching staff rumours
« on: December 17, 2022, 08:01:40 AM »Does anyone have any knowledge on how the Championship generally works in terms of wages etc.
I know Ealing are the only fully professional club and your Jonah Holmes’ etc earn pretty well but how much does your average squad player at a Doncaster or a Jersey earn?
If semi professional are they just paid match fees, do some work other jobs, is it only training a few days a week?
I think we need to get our expectations in line of how much money this rebranded wasps have before we start thinking whether an available Tom West, Tim Cardall, Zack Kibirige etc would be anywhere remotely affordable
There's an article in the Yorkshire post from a couple of years ago saying that Carnegie had a wage bill rumoured to be £2.3m, but they were planning to trim it to £650k for the following year due to their financial issues.
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/yorkshire-carnegie-players-could-boycott-doncaster-knights-derby-over-pay-fears-633667
So, if that was true, it may suggest that £2m+ is too high a salary bill to maintain financial stability, and presumably £650k is at the lower end of what's possible.
As you say though, it's hard to know what the more semi-pro clubs are doing
40
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Playing and coaching staff rumours
« on: December 16, 2022, 10:02:32 PM »Ashley Johnson please. Not only because he will do a great job, but we owe him. And that is what this must be about.
I signed back in to say exactly this.
I don't know if he'd want to be a player, but I'd be happy with him as a coach.
He's also a link to Wasps of the last 10 years.
It's a shame that Simmo has just announced his retirement. A season or 2 with him at 9 would make it feel like Wasps
41
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Playing and coaching staff rumours
« on: December 16, 2022, 09:51:50 PM »
If we're aiming for promotion, we'd have to stick to a £5m salary cap, and look for a bigger ground for next season.
I'd be happy with getting some grounding and work on becoming competitive. Being one of the best teams in the championship will not be easy when you're starting from scratch.
Someone previously said that some of the championship clubs work to a wage bill of up to £2m.
A 30 man squad, £2m... Average £65k per player.
As a rough stab in the dark, if that's the finances we'd be working with, then the highest paid player would probably be around £100k, and there won't be more than 1 or 2 of them
If that £2m has to cover coaching as well, then things drop down a little.
They'll also drop even lower of we need nearer to 40 players in the squad
I'd be happy with getting some grounding and work on becoming competitive. Being one of the best teams in the championship will not be easy when you're starting from scratch.
Someone previously said that some of the championship clubs work to a wage bill of up to £2m.
A 30 man squad, £2m... Average £65k per player.
As a rough stab in the dark, if that's the finances we'd be working with, then the highest paid player would probably be around £100k, and there won't be more than 1 or 2 of them
If that £2m has to cover coaching as well, then things drop down a little.
They'll also drop even lower of we need nearer to 40 players in the squad
42
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Playing and coaching staff rumours
« on: December 16, 2022, 07:53:18 PM »
Given the news today, I thought I'd start this to keep track of rumours of coding / playing staff.
I can't believe that we'll see any international level players.
Or income is going to be minimal, therefore wage bill needs to be minimal.
I think there was a rumour the other day about Cipriani playing for next season
Has there been any others?
I can't believe that we'll see any international level players.
Or income is going to be minimal, therefore wage bill needs to be minimal.
I think there was a rumour the other day about Cipriani playing for next season
Has there been any others?
43
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: News incoming?
« on: December 16, 2022, 07:25:21 PM »Also used to be the home of Birmingham and Solihull RFC aka Pertemps Bees. Ironic.
Oh the memories
44
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Joe Simpson
« on: December 09, 2022, 08:00:45 AM »I kinda lost track of him after he left us.
I know he was at Gloucester for a while, but not sure how that went.
Is his retirement a reflection on his age, or is it more due to there being less domestic top level teams?
45
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Telegraph article confirming P Share gone.
« on: December 08, 2022, 09:43:27 PM »Rugby & the Law suggesting that the forced purchase may be against anti competition law & could be challenged legally.
Who is left to actually challenge it though?
It's also shaky ground, so no guarantee of winning and therefore being left with another debt for fees.
Can't see it being challenged