: Thu May 21, 2009 6:23 pm  

JWP wrote:

Hmmm. I know what you're saying. I've thought he's looked a little lightweight in the tackle, forced backwards on occasion when carrying the ball etc. That'd still happen wherever he was playing. As mentioned, he's a tendancy to give away a penalty or two as well, which is something that on whole we look to be trying to get out of our game.

Aye, well to me he isn't the typical 'head down, run hard, make yards' type of forward like Harrison or Landerson, he is a must better line runner, with decent pace and agility for a forward. I agree, about the penalties though gives away 1 or 2 when it just isn't needed although i suppose Mitchel has given the odd stupid one away (Taking out Dobson at MM) so i guess it's just a case of getting used to the pace of SL and that.

: Fri May 22, 2009 8:50 am  

I see Blythe as more of a centre personally, McCarthy is the inform player in the reserves and plays loose forward along with Rhys Williams(Ithink thats his surname). Surely McCarthyhe must be knocking on the door.

: Fri May 22, 2009 9:12 am  

I like Blythe and I think he has all the attributes to make it, he just seems to be struggling to be making the step up from reserve grade to senior level. I think giving him another year is about right, he needs to size up a bit for me, a lot of the bigger forwards get the better of him.

I'm just wondering what Smith's going to do with him, if you looked at Leeds under Smith, they had Ellis and JJB at second row, two grafters who had deceptive amounts of skill to their game. When Blythe came in last year he seemed to have the skill, but maybe not the graft, I think Smith's looking for the work rate over the skill at the moment, so maybe that's why Matty's struggled a little, because we haven't played to his strength's as much as we did last year with our more disciplined approach under Smith.

It could be that, or maybe he just looked good when playing alongside the other youngsters, but when compared to the senior players he isn't quite as good as we all thought. Hopefully it's the first and he goes on to be a top player.

: Fri May 22, 2009 10:52 am  

As everyone says - sensible decision.

I'd like to see Grix play as a play making loose forward (a la Kevin Sinfield for Leeds).

: Fri May 22, 2009 12:41 pm  

bettyswallocks wrote:

watched the reserves @ wilderspool this season and i must say imo tyrone mcarthy looks a much better prospect than both and am amazed he hasnt been given oppurtunity yet in 1st grade.

probably due to finishing off his studies this year at University.

: Fri May 22, 2009 12:56 pm  

I agree with Blythe being given a go at centre. I think his footwork is more suited to centre. Not that good footwork is not needed in the pack but he does look light on his feet which would be of more benefit at centre. Maybe this spell in the back row will toughen him up and get him used to the speed of SL. My main problem is the lack of british centres as they have all been drafted into the pack and Aussie centres brought in across SL.
When was the last time Warrington had any local lads in the centres for any length of time. Cullen, Duane, Thorniley?