Paul Clough vs Greg Richards : Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:55 am  

I always liked cloughy. Granted he was a little small for a prop, but he worked hard, didn't miss tackles, made half decent yards and didn't let the big teams phase him.
I felt for him a little when Brown struck him out. I felt like, despite years of decent performances, Brown simply looked at him, said "Too small" and wrote him off.
Since then, I'm sure he's carried out whatever duties Widnes and now Bradford will ask, but looks like his career is only going one way

Greg Richards comes along (obviously a lot younger) but puts in the same, no frills performances.

However, I've recently started using twitter and I follow, amongst others, Paul Clough.
Paul Clough's profile picture contains about 4 lads. Cloughy's stood at the back and you actually have to search for a moment to notice him.
In contrast, I noted that in a lot of the post match footage from the GF, Richards is stood in central picture, holding the trophy and leading the singing.

I've played in teams and realise not everyone is (and can be) life and soul of the party, but when you're talking about the lads that are on the front line (at the top level), does this type of character thrive, whilst the softly spoken, moderately talents ones get shoved to the back of the queue?

Its strange, because since the GF, I'm looking at Greg Richards in a whole new light. Obviously I had high hopes for him, but suddenly I feel a bit more confident that he could be a long term keeper (he also had a cracking game that night).

Re: Paul Clough vs Greg Richards : Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:04 pm  

Playing wise is take Richards every day over him

Re: Paul Clough vs Greg Richards : Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:12 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

I always liked cloughy. Granted he was a little small for a prop, but he worked hard, didn't miss tackles, made half decent yards and didn't let the big teams phase him.
I felt for him a little when Brown struck him out. I felt like, despite years of decent performances, Brown simply looked at him, said "Too small" and wrote him off.
Since then, I'm sure he's carried out whatever duties Widnes and now Bradford will ask, but looks like his career is only going one way

Greg Richards comes along (obviously a lot younger) but puts in the same, no frills performances.

However, I've recently started using twitter and I follow, amongst others, Paul Clough.
Paul Clough's profile picture contains about 4 lads. Cloughy's stood at the back and you actually have to search for a moment to notice him.
In contrast, I noted that in a lot of the post match footage from the GF, Richards is stood in central picture, holding the trophy and leading the singing.

I've played in teams and realise not everyone is (and can be) life and soul of the party, but when you're talking about the lads that are on the front line (at the top level), does this type of character thrive, whilst the softly spoken, moderately talents ones get shoved to the back of the queue?

Its strange, because since the GF, I'm looking at Greg Richards in a whole new light. Obviously I had high hopes for him, but suddenly I feel a bit more confident that he could be a long term keeper (he also had a cracking game that night).

Playing wise I think Clough is marginally better at the moment. However, Greg Richards has much much more scope to become a better player so Richards is the right choice.

As for the character point, I think you're probably reading too much into it. I think the main reason behind keeping Richards and releasing Clough is age and potential.

Re: Paul Clough vs Greg Richards : Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:19 pm  

I don't think either will be a long term choice for a top team moving forwards.

I hope I'm wrong on Richards as we need all the front rowers we can get.

Re: Paul Clough vs Greg Richards : Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:23 pm  

MatautiaVila wrote:

I don't think either will be a long term choice for a top team moving forwards.

I hope I'm wrong on Richards as we need all the front rowers we can get.

I agree, Richards has got a lot of developing to do before he can be a long term prop for a top team. His age only works in his favour though and he has the potential without a doubt.

Re: Paul Clough vs Greg Richards : Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:15 pm  

Richards is very much a "Work in Progress" and is a season behind Thompson. For Paul Clough its unfornunate that he didn,t kick on to another level, he use to annoy me the way he would spin around and back into the opposition instead of trying a tackle bust and offload, he was probably better for is defensive workload.
With Richards I reckon he will get fitter and stronger and his general all round game will be better than Cloughy.

Re: Paul Clough vs Greg Richards : Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:25 am  

I really like Richards, he's come on ALOT since his debut. If you'd have said to me a year ago he'd have not only played in a Grand Final but well and truly held his own, I'd have probably laughed at you.

He does the basics well, consistently makes good yards and works hard in defence. He compliments the impact of Walmsley & Masoe well alongside Amor, another work horse.

I did like Clough, but I think Richards with his size has far more potential.

Re: Paul Clough vs Greg Richards : Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:31 am  

Blobbynator wrote:

Richards with his size

There's pictures of him along sidfe Amor with the Trophy and he certainly has a similar "lump" about his build. Given he's still young, it'll be interesting to see how he progresses physically in the next couple of years, but good % props are very valuable to the squad.

Re: Paul Clough vs Greg Richards : Thu Oct 23, 2014 3:26 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

I've played in teams and realise not everyone is (and can be) life and soul of the party, but when you're talking about the lads that are on the front line (at the top level), does this type of character thrive, whilst the softly spoken, moderately talents ones get shoved to the back of the queue?

How one expresses themselves in celebrations is not really a reliable indicator of how one performs on the big occasion. I mean one only has to watch James Roby to see an example of, one of the very best, who excels on the big stage.