What Do We Do About Kurt?

[Rusty]

Mullen won't be a passenger like Kurt is atm because unlike Kurt, Mullen is a five-eight. In saying that there wont be as much pressure on Johns.

 

[Jedda]

Personally I don't want to see Mullen playing regular first grade this year. I think the rigours of first grade on his still developing body would be detrimental to his career further in time.

It takes a special player to step up and consistantly perform at a young age (eg, Fittler, Alexander) and IMO Mullen is nowhere near their league.

By the same token I don't want to see him completely cut out of first grade either so maybe Hagan could look at a two week in two week out type of structure which means Mullen gets game time with Johns but also the time to develop his own playing style back in a league more appropriate for his physical development.

The one thing that concerns me most is that Mullen's natural abilities will be stifiled due to playing in a team dominated by Johns so that when the time comes to him stepping up to replace our illustrious playmaker we suddenly discover he's become the next "Kidley".

 

[ArturiusX]

so you want him to play First Division in 2006 and 2007 - then have the two of them (Mullen and Walsh) who will have a combined total of bugger all games in First Grade take over when Johns retires at the end of 2007?

I see the wolves circling...

Bugger all games will probably end up being a dozen or so for Mullen (probably more).

I think thats plenty, football is football, its important that he trains in an entire offseason knowing he's going to be the #1 5"8.

I can't believe no ones conceding that maybe Mullen might not turn out to be all that? I've seen players with more promise still not make the top league... Mullen is good but he isn't a sensation and I don't think you should be quite planning a team in 3 years time just yet...

 

[Whats Doing]

There are a lot of good comments in this thread. However we have a premiership to win this year and we should not be putting in inexperience players in the hope that they will be able to bring home the bacon next year.

I don't believe Mullen is the answer this year as he needs more time to develop. If he hasn't got the confidence, experience this year, let him develop that in the lower grades.

One player not mentioned who I thought had a blinder of a season last year is Tighe. When he played outside Joey, he was sensational and I would be putting him in at 5/8 for the rest of this year and let this year not be a wasted year.

 

[Ben]

Well we have to be planning now because Johns will be gone in three years and we are totally incapable without him. When Johns does retire we need an already made plan for success that has been trialled before and worked. Kidley is part of the current plan and it isn't working. I just don't want to be left rueing the fact that when Johns does retire we don't have a combination that can perform nearly as good as the maestro.

 

[Alex28]

Surely we give Mullen a chance to step up and prove himself well before Johns retires before we work out whether we have to buy one or two halves when he's done (if we need to buy any one at all)?

This age thing is rubbish - Tim Smith? Benji Marshall? Why not Jarrod Mullen?

 

[Roy]

Age is nothing.

If your good enough your old enough.

 

[antonius]

There are a lot of good comments in this thread. However we have a premiership to win this year and we should not be putting in inexperience players in the hope that they will be able to bring home the bacon next year.

I don't believe Mullen is the answer this year as he needs more time to develop. If he hasn't got the confidence, experience this year, let him develop that in the lower grades.

One player not mentioned who I thought had a blinder of a season last year is Tighe. When he played outside Joey, he was sensational and I would be putting him in at 5/8 for the rest of this year and let this year not be a wasted year.

I agree completely, been saying that for weeks now. We're stuck with Kidley there unfortunately, baring injury he'll be there all year.

 

[Ben]

is Tighe off contract at the end of this year? Because i certainly don't want him leaving the club because of Hagan's ineptness towards picking a team based on form rather than favouritism. Without Hagan and with Smith at the club, I think he will finally get a run that he deserves in first grade rather than seeing his career dwindle apart in Premier League.

 

[Bicey_18]

Brian Smith is said to be bringing Widders, Delaney and Morris to our club if he gets his way, and I am reckoning on reduced contracts with increases once Joey leaves. The thought of Morris and Widders off the bench is a very exciting prospect. Widders can play anywhere really except fullback, And Johnny can cover the halves and hooker.

Delaney to take Carneys/Carmonts Position..handy goal kicker also
Morris to take a utility role.. Half, 5/8, Hooker, Wing
Widders off the bench, impact player.. Explosive

Plus the fact Smith will have a plan for us when Joey is out and make us competitive and may even jag a few wins without him is something to be excited about.

2007 will be an exciting year for all Knights fans... I mean picture it guys

Hagan leaving the club making the way for Mr Brian Smith
Kidley and Carmont making way for guys like Widders, Delaney and Morris

Only sad news is the departure of Brian Carney

 

[Bicey_18]

is Tighe off contract at the end of this year? Because i certainly don't want him leaving the club because of Hagan's ineptness towards picking a team based on form rather than favouritism. Without Hagan and with Smith at the club, I think he will finally get a run that he deserves in first grade rather than seeing his career dwindle apart in Premier League.

I agree , I think Tighe will get a chance at centre or 5/8 next season, depending on what Smith wants and what will prove to be more successful

 

[The_Joey_Show]

We have Mullen, Tighe, and even Midley that can play 5/8.

I tell you what I'd be doing with Kidley, based on his recent performances...

I'd be stapling an American flag to his arse and mailing him to Iraq.

 

[Roy]

Its pretty simple though, nothing will happen to kidley this year he will be our 5/8 unless he is inured.

 

[Roy]

My signature is now dedicated to the work of Mr. Kurt Gidley

 

[Bring it home Knights]

Gidley must go. Just hope he stays in the nrl to stuff another team over.

 

[Alex28]

Roy - signature needs another F champ

Seriously - how is Tighe's form been this year in First Division? From what I've been able to gather from the forum it's been patchy. I know he's disappointed in not getting a run in First Grade but playing like a disappointed player is not the way to get promoted.

 

[Jobdog]

Yeah to be fair Alex, Brad has been good in some games and IMO gone missing in others. He had a very good game in the side which hammered Canberra a fortnight ago and made a few breaks to boot. I think we could do worse than if supercoach doesn't want to give Mullo a shot in first grade alongside Joey, to p!ss Kidley off and give Tighe a run.

 

[bluesbreaker]

Even the great Andrew Johns was a quiet little kid at one stage when he first made his debut. It takes a little bit of time before one has the confidence to call the shots in professional unit.

Uh... Johns scored a hattrick on debut :s

 

[thuganomics]

Uh... Johns scored a hattrick on debut :s

Thats not true..

Im near certain of that.

 

[bluesbreaker]

You're absolutely correct, it was 2 tries, 7 goals and a field goal. My mistake...

Still, not a bad debut at all ;-). Talking run on debuts as well.