Re: Flanagan : Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:42 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

I like him due to his pysicality in defence and, before his latest break for injury, he seemed to be geiving more going forward. When called for he shows pretty slick hands out wide and his kick through yesterday was a nice touch.

He did get stepped a couple of times yesterday, though. SOmething that I don't think would have happened to Wilkin, who I see as his main competetion in the squad.

Although Wilkin did get knocked on his backside a few times. But to Wilkin's credit this is because he does front up against the bigger men, unlike those who think he is always 2nd man in.

Re: Flanagan : Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:44 pm  

Flanagan has been injured alot in his time at Saints so I am going to reserve judgement until he has had a prolonged run.

Re: Flanagan : Tue Jul 31, 2012 6:40 am  

bewareshadows wrote:

Although Wilkin did get knocked on his backside a few times. But to Wilkin's credit this is because he does front up against the bigger men, unlike those who think he is always 2nd man in.

If you look on the other threads, i've been on Wilkin's back a little (not a lot), questioning his value for wages (which I assume are quite high) given his mixed contribution going forward and, to a lesser extent, his lack of pysicality in the tougher aspects of forward battles. I've contemplated that a tougher guy like Flanaghan would be better to lock in the scrum and take on the workhorse tackling stint.
However, if you go back and watch the hudds game, I think there were 2 instances of Flanaghan being stepped too easily. Alhtough he hasn't played much lately, so maybe he was just a little rusty.

I think he'll turn out as a good long term signing.

Re: Flanagan : Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:50 am  

Flanagan is a massive player defensively and grafts well with the ball, could quite easily develop into a Chris Joynt style player who is never going to be full of flair, but will tackle all day and run ball in well...I think he has shown promise for us this year and is one of our most underrated players