Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 9:59 am  

karetaker wrote:

I hope Leyland gets a chance sooner rather than later because Burgess has said in an interview today regarding the choice today that he sees Hayes as the long term half.

Amazing confidence in a player that has played 11.5 games for the first team. Whilst he has promise we have no idea how he will recover from injury or whether he is good enough at the top level.

In the meantime Leyland should be given his chance. Playing Ratchford in the halves is a retrograde move.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 10:17 am  

Thought it was just me that felt quite depressed seeing Ratchford named ahead of Leyland. Clearly not based on these comments. I wouldn’t mind so much if Leyland had been average preseason but he was our standout player in both games with a far better kicking game and looking pretty lively with ball in hand. As others have said, playing Ratchford is a retrograde step and quite un-Burgess like given his confidence in Holroyd, Lindop etc. Very disappointing

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 10:31 am  

karetaker wrote:

Must have missed it I didn’t see any negative comments about Vaughan, I actually thought he was good making good meters after contact.

There was a group sat near me calling him fit to burn, which I attributed to dark fruits commentary. But it cropped up on page 5 of this too.

It’s tough to measure the front row at the moment, as it’s clear that the intention is for the backs to do the heavy lifting with yardage. But Vaughan is still head and shoulders the best prop we have in my opinion.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 10:33 am  

Barbed Wire wrote:

It’s tough to measure the front row at the moment, as it’s clear that the intention is for the backs to do the heavy lifting with yardage. But Vaughan is still head and shoulders the best prop we have in my opinion.

He is, without doubt.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 10:34 am  

My thoughts Ratch was most probably picked ahead of Leyland for his goal kicking, we must of anticipated a rusty performance in a low scoring game where two/four points could make the difference, also he has tons of experience and a calm figure in the squad as previously mentioned. I would like to see Leyland given a chance but that is up to him now to snatch that shirt away from Ratch and impress in training.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 10:34 am  

People having a pop at Musgrove for only doing 15 minutes need to realise it's the coach who decides when he comes on and when he gets taken off.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 10:40 am  

Kevin Turvey wrote:

Thought it was just me that felt quite depressed seeing Ratchford named ahead of Leyland. Clearly not based on these comments. I wouldn’t mind so much if Leyland had been average preseason but he was our standout player in both games with a far better kicking game and looking pretty lively with ball in hand. As others have said, playing Ratchford is a retrograde step and quite un-Burgess like given his confidence in Holroyd, Lindop etc. Very disappointing

I'm sure Sam has his reasons, but I think he has made a mistake here. He will probably double down on it next game too. He also has a massive blind spot with Musgrove who is our biggest waste of an overseas spot since, well, Dan Russell. Musgrove has Sitaleki minutes without the Sitaleki fireworks.

But Sam got the Lindop call right. That centre position should be Lindop's to lose now. I'm not sure how much more he can do to earn the place.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 10:44 am  

Moe syslak wrote:

People having a pop at Musgrove for only doing 15 minutes need to realise it's the coach who decides when he comes on and when he gets taken off.

The coaches monitor the telemetry and the impact on the field. I don't think players get taken off if their performance is still strong. Musgrove has had ample opportunity to show his worth and for me, he hasn't shown to be very effective at all. But I am just a casual observer so probably missing something.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 10:47 am  

I think everyone was gobsmacked by the decision to leave Leyland out. I'm also surprised by how little time in the pitch he allows Musgrove to have. I can only guess that Sam is looking at defensive duties. I can't think of any other reason.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 11:20 am  

I can't quite get my head around the Ratchford decision either, I just assumed at the time that Leyland had a knock. I don't quite buy into the more hyperbolic statements about how bad he was - he certainly made a few very important defensive interventions - but he clearly shouldn't be the first choice halfback and Leyland and Hayes will be the future so get them in the team.