Re: Widnes Match Thread : Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:23 am  

Blobbynator wrote:

Swift looks like a good talent, his pace is electric and his step reminded me of Sam Tomkins / Gary Wheeler. Could potentially develop very nicely under Brown and could be the one to replace Wellens at full back in the long term? We shall see, it's early days yet, but he's done well.

Overall, a very professional display from Saints without being outstanding. I don't think we were anywhere near 5th gear, Widnes were just that bad. Our desire to defend was exceptional, summed up when Marsh chipped over Wellens and 3 men chased back to stop him scoring. Meli intercepted the next play and Swift scored from that. The forwards were very keen for work last night and completely dominated Widnes. Two of the unsung heros for me were Clough and Flanagan who I thought were both excellent. Man of the match by a mile was Roby though, the guy is a machine, a definite contender for Man of Steel again on this form.

Overall a satisfying display and with the youth players we have, it's a chance to rest one or two next week against Oldham and give them more of a chance to impress.

I agree, I don't think we got out of 3rd gear last night but made it look easy but the definitely a change of attitude last night in defence compared to last Saturday.

I posted earlier that Adam swift looks to have the makings of a fullback. Hes safe, fast and has good foot work but his defence is yet to be really tested.

Re: Widnes Match Thread : Sat Apr 21, 2012 12:08 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

LMS plays great when the opposing forwards are pitiful, as they were for Widnes. But he was nowhere against Wigan, for instance. For LMS to impress me he has to work as hard in defence, and as hard driving forward when we are being challenged as when we are not.

I thought Shenton had a good game tonight and I was pleased for him. He saw a lot of ball, obviously a tactic, and there may have been a couple more tries had Swift been more experienced. Swift must be about the fourth different winger Shenton's had to play inside, which can't be easy.

Laffranchi has impressed me all season. He got stuck in from the get-go and hasn't let up. Likewise Flannagan.

Hohaia was good again tonight but then he had plenty of space as the Widnes forwards didn't put up a fight. His kicking game was excellent again.

No didnt see any of that meself 'not a standoff.
His passing Is rediculously slow,we have no flow.

Re: Widnes Match Thread : Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:12 pm  

Pity we couldn't pair Laffranchi with Jammer. Great player.

Re: Widnes Match Thread : Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:46 pm  

Carlos Alberto wrote:

Pity we couldn't pair Laffranchi with Jammer. Great player.

To have had Laffranchi and Jammer in the team together would have been awesome.

Re: Widnes Match Thread : Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:57 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

To have had Laffranchi and Jammer in the team together would have been awesome.

Does this mean speccies are accepting him as a prop and not just a second rower who is filling in? For me he is doing everything we could expect of any prop other than graham. Top pro and top signing.

Re: Widnes Match Thread : Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:21 am  

SomersetSaint wrote:

Does this mean speccies are accepting him as a prop and not just a second rower who is filling in? For me he is doing everything we could expect of any prop other than graham. Top pro and top signing.

We've no option but to accept him as our prop but he's done well and has probably been one of our most consistsnt players this year.

Re: Widnes Match Thread : Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:48 am  

SomersetSaint wrote:

Does this mean speccies are accepting him as a prop and not just a second rower who is filling in?

I would hope so. He certainly looks the part!

For me he is doing everything we could expect of any prop other than graham. Top pro and top signing.

Totally agree. He's as near a replacement for Jammer as we could hope for.

Re: Widnes Match Thread : Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:24 am  

I think anyone will accept him as a prop if he can do the props job. Same as people don't go on about Jamie Peacock previously being a 2nd rower. Some players can make an effective change of places in a team others struggle in the new role they are asked to play. We are coming close to half a season so if you measure up La Frankis stats with any other prop in the league lets say JP then he's doing pretty well. http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012 More tries, Similar meters in less carries Similar tackles made less offloads slightly more tackle busts a few more penalties but less missed tackles. So when compared to the England Captain and one of our best props, he's doing ok.

I think anyone will accept him as a prop if he can do the props job. Same as people don't go on about Jamie Peacock previously being a 2nd rower. Some players can make an effective change of places in a team others struggle in the new role they are asked to play. We are coming close to half a season so if you measure up La Frankis stats with any other prop in the league lets say JP then he's doing pretty well. http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012 More tries, Similar meters in less carries Similar tackles made less offloads slightly more tackle busts a few more penalties but less missed tackles. So when compared to the England Captain and one of our best props, he's doing ok.

Re: Widnes Match Thread : Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:28 am  

bewareshadows wrote: I think anyone will accept him as a prop if he can do the props job. Same as people don't go on about Jamie Peacock previously being a 2nd rower. Some players can make an effective change of places in a team others struggle in the new role they are asked to play. We are coming close to half a season so if you measure up La Frankis stats with any other prop in the league lets say JP then he's doing pretty well. http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012 More tries, Similar meters in less carries Similar tackles made less offloads slightly more tackle busts a few more penalties but less missed tackles. So when compared to the England Captain and one of our best props, he's doing ok. He is doing ok but it's a Shame we ain't got a big aggressive tough prop to partner him. I think we lack an aggressor in our pack. Our props a little to nice.

bewareshadows wrote: I think anyone will accept him as a prop if he can do the props job. Same as people don't go on about Jamie Peacock previously being a 2nd rower. Some players can make an effective change of places in a team others struggle in the new role they are asked to play. We are coming close to half a season so if you measure up La Frankis stats with any other prop in the league lets say JP then he's doing pretty well. http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012 More tries, Similar meters in less carries Similar tackles made less offloads slightly more tackle busts a few more penalties but less missed tackles. So when compared to the England Captain and one of our best props, he's doing ok. He is doing ok but it's a Shame we ain't got a big aggressive tough prop to partner him. I think we lack an aggressor in our pack. Our props a little to nice.

Re: Widnes Match Thread : Sun Apr 22, 2012 11:38 am  

St pete wrote:

He is doing ok but it's a Shame we ain't got a big aggressive tough prop to partner him. I think we lack an aggressor in our pack. Our props a little to nice.

Perry is that prop, or at least so his reputation would suggest. Having said that we haven't has a prop in that mould for many a year. Who was the last big aggressive prop we had? Fogerty? Davidson? Fozzard?