Re: Team v Leigh : Mon Feb 03, 2025 11:14 am  

Wires71 wrote:

Leyland is a lot more experienced than Hayes (94 games vs 12) and 3 years older (23 vs 20). From what I have seen his kicking game is better and his goal kicking is worth a lot. He is now going to start for half a dozen games at least and it will be up to Hayes to displace him. Glad we signed him otherwise we would be looking at Ratchford in the halves.

I have no issue with Ratchford playing halfback.
He is like a John Woods.
He is fit as he walks everyday for miles on top of his club training schedule.

Re: Team v Leigh : Mon Feb 03, 2025 11:49 am  

rubber duckie wrote:

I have no issue with Ratchford playing halfback.
He is like a John Woods.
He is fit as he walks everyday for miles on top of his club training schedule.

I don't think I can compare Stefan Ratchford to John Woods.

Are we not trying to establish a team capable of finishing #1 or #2 in the league and winning the Grand Final? Do you think that is possible with a 36 year old Ratchford at scrum half?

Re: Team v Leigh : Mon Feb 03, 2025 11:51 am  

Tom Whitehead has played well in the friendly's. He has lot of skill and he's working hard. I know there is a lot of competition in his position but he's stepping up.

[Uncle Rico]

Re: Team v Leigh : Mon Feb 03, 2025 12:01 pm  

Or thane wrote:

I wouldn't say it's a big shout at all, unlucky Hayes got injured, but we've seen Leyland play a full season and seen what he can do. Fair enough we haven't seen the same amount of game between them, but from what we've seen Leyland has a better kicking game and takes the line on more. So from what we've seen he is 'Currently' a better player than Hayes.
I Hope Hayes gets back to 100% and kicks on, i'm not saying Hayes is average or miles behind Hayes but taking the rose tinted glasses off with Hayes, Leyland has a better all round game so is better.

I don't want to come across as argumentative for the sake of it, but fair play to you and others that have "seen Leyland play a full season", I've only managed to watch him on three or four occasions, so the jury is still out for me and I suspect others, rather than rose tinted viewing either way.

From what I have seen on limited viewing they BOTH take the line on Leyland has a better kicking game and Hayes is better defensively.

Hayes did really well pre-injury, well enough to keep Drinkwater at bay, let's see whether Leyland can do the same with his chance I'm open minded BTW not backing one against the other as I said previously may the best man win

Re: Team v Leigh : Mon Feb 03, 2025 2:30 pm  

Smiffy27 wrote:

Tom Whitehead has played well in the friendly's. He has lot of skill and he's working hard. I know there is a lot of competition in his position but he's stepping up.

Yes really liking the look of Whitehead, thought he's done very well.

Re: Team v Leigh : Tue Feb 04, 2025 8:58 am  

Uncle Rico wrote:

I don't want to come across as argumentative for the sake of it, but fair play to you and others that have "seen Leyland play a full season", I've only managed to watch him on three or four occasions, so the jury is still out for me and I suspect others, rather than rose tinted viewing either way.

From what I have seen on limited viewing they BOTH take the line on Leyland has a better kicking game and Hayes is better defensively.

Hayes did really well pre-injury, well enough to keep Drinkwater at bay, let's see whether Leyland can do the same with his chance I'm open minded BTW not backing one against the other as I said previously may the best man win

Oh yeah i don't take things as an argument, and apologies if that's how i came off. I'm just going off what i've seen and obviously everyone has favourites etc
But as i say i hope Hayes kicks on and gets back to full fitness and form. I think if the likes of Russell and Fitz hit form and stay injury free, i think we have and extra gear this year. And i hope Holroyd gets a good amount of game time this year as i think he's brilliant