Re: Gaskell : Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:30 pm
Offside Monkey wrote:
And yourcontinued insistence that Gaskell is not picked for a reason other than his playing ability and contribution to the team is ridiculous, frankly.
And you would know that how?
Lance was signed two coaches ago.
Only because we had two coaches in one season. He is only in his second season. He was brought here to play at 6. He came here because he was told he was to play at 6. He is unlikely to come halfway around the world for four years other than to play at the position he has said himself he plays at best.
The idea that Brown plays him for any other reason than what he can do on the field is strange.
Is it? Didn't Brown himself say he wouldn't play him at 6? I am sure that is what he said after the widnes game. But hey, Brown says all sorts of stuff. Like Gaskell's kicking game is as good as Brough's. I don't think there is anything strange at all about a coach not automatically having free reign to do what he wants. Isn't that why some coaches are sacked?
Gaskell got the nod in the matches at he beginning of the year and now brown has decided to try something different - with marked improvement.
Yes, he has played Wilkin at 7 rather than Lomax. Oh. Sorry. That would be to suggest that the reason for our improvement is someone other than Gaskell! Clearly that isn't trendy thinking just now. The problem was all Gaskell, clearly. It wasn't a matter of two inexperienced halfbacks or, in the case of Lomax, a square peg in a round hole plus an inexperienced halfback (who had hardly played for a season).
The solution required was to put an organiser and leader in a position where he could organise and lead. That is the adjustment that has brought dividends. We were lacking an organiser and leader midfield because clearly Lomax is neither.
Against Salford would be a good time to bring Gaskell in alongside Wilkin who would take the pressure off Gaskell and allow him to be the 6 that he is supposed to be, with Hohaia moving to hooker where he has had experience himself. With Wello at 13 that would be a nice mix and match of skills.