Sidlow & Ratchford : Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:53 pm  

What has happened to these two.

Both looked capable of SL albeit in NL last season.

Same goes for Turner but there is a another post
on him.

Rumours of Saints interest in Ratchford during
the closed season.McRae does not appear to
fancy Ratchford for some reason.

Can see a club coming in for Ratchford (not
necessarily Saints) for his goal and tactical
kicking.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:52 am  

It's a very interesting point, young Ratchford has been conspicuous by his absence. Not only on the teamsheet but also on this forum where (and please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) I can't recall a single poster questioning his absence from the teamsheet.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:55 am  

I would sooner see good young players develop than watch old ones stagnate. Ratchford, Turner and Sidlow should be in and playing- why they have not played yet is baffling, specially given the lack of creativity on show.

The whole point of no relegation is to give young players a chance. Get them in!

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:39 am  

Now some people might disagree, but I would say Turner needs to come into the side after the Wakefield game. We need another player who run the ball hard and straight off the halfbacks, whilst having the ability to oflload.

Now I personally thought he looked like a good prospect at Loose Forward, if he can step up to Super League. The more likely option is at centre though with Stuart Littler most likely to make way. I realize this is harsh on Littler who always gives 100%, but lets face he is never going to create a damn thing. The other option is to move Luke Swain to second row.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:56 am  

Fair point 'LincolnDEVILSFan'

But on yesterdays performance I would drop Talau to the bench and replace him with Turner in the centres next Saturday at the Jungle.

Plus Ratchford should replace Smith who also looked out off sorts yesterday.

And while I'm at it John Wilshere is wasted out on the wing so if it was up to me he would start at full-back instead of Fitzpatrick this week.

In ref to Stuart Littler he gave 100% yesterday and thats more than could be said for a few others on view.

RANT OVER.....

OVER TO YOU COACH McRAE....

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:30 am  

Mr James ROwley wrote:

Fair point 'LincolnDEVILSFan'

But on yesterdays performance I would drop Talau to the bench and replace him with Turner in the centres next Saturday at the Jungle.

Plus Ratchford should replace Smith who also looked out off sorts yesterday.

And while I'm at it John Wilshere is wasted out on the wing so if it was up to me he would start at full-back instead of Fitzpatrick this week.

In ref to Stuart Littler he gave 100% yesterday and thats more than could be said for a few others on view.

RANT OVER.....

OVER TO YOU COACH McRAE....

I might agree with you over the Talau issue, he was poor yesterday. I have to admit that Fitzy does give me some cause for concern. Does not look comfortable under the high ball and just as worryingly seems to get caught out of position. Was not impressed with either winger yesterday also.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:31 pm  

After yesterdays individual performances - Littler would be one of the first names on my teamsheet for the Cas game. It is too easy to use him as the obvious one to drop all the time. There are plenty more who put far less effort in and did far more wrong than him yesterday.







And no I am not Stuart Littler or any relative of his

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:59 pm  

We have three years to develop players.
Why is he playing all the overseas contingent.
Look at Cas next week they will have three players from their youth set up playing. Richard Owen, Michael Shenton, Joe Westerman.
Thats what we should be doing

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:08 pm  

have i not been saying this for the last 2 weeks
aussies out kids in

: Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:12 am  

Prestwich Red wrote:

Look at Cas next week they will have three players from their youth set up playing. Richard Owen, Michael Shenton, Joe Westerman.
Thats what we should be doing

These 3 have all had a full season in SL under their belts already and will be playing alongside, at the very least, 6 very experienced overseas players (McGoldrick, Evans, Sherwin, Chase, Faumuina, Sargeant)

If we go with the same 17 as the first 2 weeks then we'll have Littler and Adamson from our youth set-up plus young Myler and Nash involved...we can't just throw all the kids in all at once - it wont work and it could harm their development in the long run which is something I think Mcrea is very aware of.