All About Thunder Gateshead Thunder 2012 Squad - Confirmed
2012 Squad - Confirmed
13 Jan
Ok, looks like we have 31 players confirmed for 2012 - which is a good number and provides some great Competition for places. Confirmed squad as follows:
Robin Peers - Wing/Fullback
Joe Brown - Centre/Wing
Jason Payne - Prop/Second Row/Centre
Ryan Clarke - Hooker/Halfback
Will Bate - Hooker/Halfback
Dan O'Sullivan - Wing
Chris Parker - Prop
Stephen Welton - Prop
David Cash - Second Row
Josh Stoker - Second Row
Richard Moody - Halfback (signed from Thunder U18's squad - a promising young player)
Ben Smith - Prop (signed from Thunder U18's squad and a promising Prop - one to watch)
Josh Taylor - Second Row/Centre
Matt Barron - Prop
Mike Mitchell - Centre
Phil Stamp - Halfback
Scott Wood - Halfback (former Thunder U18's squad member, returns after spending 2011 at York City Knights)
Tabua Cakacaka -Prop
Danny Wilson - Wing
Josh Neilson - Wing/Centre/Fullback
Ryan McBride - Prop
Tom Hodgson - Hooker
Connor Condron - Fullback
Craig Olugbode - Wing
Ollie O'Mara - Second Row
Ash Williams - Wing
Brett Waller - Prop
Chris Griffiths - Halfback
Dan Mole - Wing (previously a Thunder U18's squad member, returns after spending 2011 at York City Knights)
James Pocklington - Fullback (signed from Thunder U18's/Sunderland ARLFC)
Ashley Thackeray - Centre/Wing
18 Jan
Thanks for this, Paul. We seem to have strengthened a number of positions, though there are quite a number of young players with little or no experience as part of the squad. Hopefully we won't need to throw too many into games together, but be able to introduce them gradually. I also hope some of the more senior players are available a bit more often than last season and we don't end up sending kids into no-win situations because they are all that is available. Time will tell
18 Jan
Thanks for this, Paul. We seem to have strengthened a number of positions, though there are quite a number of young players with little or no experience as part of the squad. Hopefully we won't need to throw too many into games together, but be able to introduce them gradually. I also hope some of the more senior players are available a bit more often than last season and we don't end up sending kids into no-win situations because they are all that is available. Time will tell
I agree there are one or two youngsters in this years squad, I'm more than sure Kev will introduce them in bursts through the season and the old addage "If you're good enough, you're old enough" springs to mind. Having watched Rich Moody, Ben Smith, James Pocklington (Pocks), Scott Woods and Dan Mole at various times during their respective times in the U18's ranks I can say that they all have the right attitude and talent to be included in the Thunder Senior ranks.
I'm also hopeful for the season, as there is good competition for places and as Kev said on Monday night's League Talk he has a desire to win games this season, it won't be easy but the lads are fired up and are chomping at the but to get started this Sunday against Cas.
19 Jan
Where can you realistically see this squad finishing this year ??
I realise things might improve because people will play for Kevin, I have bought my 18th man ticket for the same reason - but as it stands it alongside other clubs we are miles short.
I hope I am wrong, but get behind the lads but with managed expectations xx
19 Jan
Gary,
You and I have been around the club for such along time, we've heard it all and probably seen it all, I'll be honest 7/8th is very achievable this year. I agree our squad may not be as strong as the likes of Workington, Rochdale and even Barrow, but we'll be able to compete in games this year unlike the last couple of years.
As you say expectation management is key to the supporters this year and no-one is predicting a top 4 finish, as at this stage of the pre-season we haven't even had a competitive game. Kev wants the lads to get a win under their belts first - that is the only target he has set the lads. And for me that's probably the best way to manage expectations to start with, as long as targets are regularly reviewed and when new targets are set they are achievable - then I feel we're in really good shape. At least no-one in the club has set any targets to finsh top of the table or any of the other ridiculous targets that have been set in years gone by.
I'll hopfully see you at a game soon.
Look after yourself and gan canny :O)
Paul
19 Jan
i see in mondays edition of rugby league express paper kev neighbour says were hopefull of signing ex workington 2nd row forward and current scotland international paddy coupar, if we sign him he will be a quality addition to our squad, i have a friend who supports workington and he telt me paddy is a top player and is a tackling machine, so lets hope he signs :-) have got my train tickets for the 12th feb, coming up from york to watch thunder v doncaster and cant wait. cmon thunder! cmon thunder!!
20 Jan
I have just read my post back, and it reads more negatively than it was intended.
It was meant to be about managing expectations, and we need to make sure we don't get carried away. I do think the squad looks more solid than the past 2 seasons, and I feel/hope that we should be field a more settled side.
The last 2 seasons has been riddled with mass changes in the line up mainly due to availability, and it really felt as if each week was a fresh roll call of who was available.
I do still feel we are a long way behind some of the squads, that is clearly down to resources and I think we have put together a decent squad given the extremely limited resources we have.
I must admit, I look at the squads some clubs have put together and am a,zed how some of them have managed to do it given the financial climate and some of the issues some of these clubs have faced.
I am sure Kevin will instill a lot more organisation and steel to the squad, let's face it the early part of last season was a complete joke and we looked completely rudderless.
In terms of what I would like to see this season, due to one reason or another, I am one of the fans who has suffered from apathy in the last two years. What I would like to happen this year is have days when Thunder puts a smile back on my face...it's been a while.
Gan canny
Frankie