: Fri May 22, 2009 11:08 pm  

So Mathers was great going forward...?

: Fri May 22, 2009 11:14 pm  

RB wrote:

So Mathers was great going forward...?

He created overlaps and gave out some decent passes in a game that was decided by the quality of the respective packs.

Mathers didn't have a stormer, but he did what he needed to do and is superb at organising our defence from FB. That'll do for me.

: Fri May 22, 2009 11:18 pm  

FWIW I don't think either were involved a great deal. Of course Mathers is going to get a lot more ball because he plays at FB but I don't think you could rate him 9/10, and in comparison you can't rate Gleeson 7/10.

: Fri May 22, 2009 11:33 pm  

As a Leeds fan, I'm really hoping Mathers does the business at Wire

Tonight I thought that he did very well especially considering he was under the spotlight somewhat. He wasn't involved too much going forward, but then at his best at Leeds he seemed to come alive when the attack opened up and he chimed into the line like a third half back. It was too tight for that tonight.

He took every ball that came his way, didn't make any errors that I noticed, and made decent returns with the ball when required. He was safe. He looked 100% more confident than he has done in the last year

Despite Mathers getting a rough time of it from p*ss taking fans, lets not forget that the only reason the blow of him leaving for the NRL was softened was that Brent Webb signed for us. Mathers was a class act for Leeds in my opinion, despite some occasional lapses in defence. Maybe it was because he was part of the academy lads that won the GF in 2004 for us but I remember him being talked about as a GB International and I don't really remember his position ever being questioned, maybe when Lee Smith came on the scene, but that is debatable.

Wigan fans say he's rubbish, but when you look at the number of players they have ruined, its no surprise really

: Sat May 23, 2009 12:22 am  

RescuedBlue wrote:

As a Leeds fan, I'm really hoping Mathers does the business at Wire

Tonight I thought that he did very well especially considering he was under the spotlight somewhat. He wasn't involved too much going forward, but then at his best at Leeds he seemed to come alive when the attack opened up and he chimed into the line like a third half back. It was too tight for that tonight.

He took every ball that came his way, didn't make any errors that I noticed, and made decent returns with the ball when required. He was safe. He looked 100% more confident than he has done in the last year

Despite Mathers getting a rough time of it from p*ss taking fans, lets not forget that the only reason the blow of him leaving for the NRL was softened was that Brent Webb signed for us. Mathers was a class act for Leeds in my opinion, despite some occasional lapses in defence. Maybe it was because he was part of the academy lads that won the GF in 2004 for us but I remember him being talked about as a GB International and I don't really remember his position ever being questioned, maybe when Lee Smith came on the scene, but that is debatable.

Wigan fans say he's rubbish, but when you look at the number of players they have ruined, its no surprise really

Informative post you will have seen more of Mathers than us
you cant knock his enthusiasm and attitude, i think it's a case
of whats best for us our defence has certainly improved since
Gleeson left and Mathers joined but that may also be something
to do with Tony Smiths influence

Its also taken a while to restore the confidence that James
Lowes destroyed early season at this moment in time the
deal looks better for us than Wigan not to mention the 100K
in the bank.

: Sat May 23, 2009 12:37 am  

A.C.WIRE wrote:

at this moment in time the
deal looks better for us than Wigan not to mention the 100K
in the bank.

If Richie Mathers can get to anywhere near his standard at Leeds then the £100k you have reportedly got along with him is complete daylight robbery

Lets not forget, He was a regular for a top side in this country and then chosen by an NRL side as a very good prospect and featured in their premier competition. The only reason he came home was down to injuries

Wigan fans claim he is garbage because of his injuries. But he didn't look like he was suffering any ill effects tonight. But then Wigan claim that Fielden was never the same after the Mason incident. And that Calderwood has lost his pace (somehow )

Is it a coincidence that all these good players went to Wigan and got coached by Brian Noble?

: Sat May 23, 2009 7:48 am  

Sorry!! But who is this Gleeson chap you are talking about...

: Sat May 23, 2009 7:56 am  

the only thing missing from mathers last night was a try under the sticks in front of the Wigan fans, that would have been beautiful

: Sat May 23, 2009 8:02 am  

Simply look at the difference in body language between the players - Mathers is playing at a club under a coach he wants to give his absolute all for & is pushing towards an international call up. Gleeson in contrast is looking like a man who would much rather be playing for a team alongside his mates, be that at Saints, Wire or for England. I think he'll come to realise that not always can you move to your hometown club and have the fairytale swansong - Moz realised that when he turned down Salford. Glees would have been much happier waiting out the end of season & heading to Oz.

That said, I agree with those who say that Mathers could be bargain of the season!

: Sat May 23, 2009 8:04 am  

I was pleased for Mathers at the end of the game. Can you imagine the stick he would have been getting from the Wigan players prior to the match? When it finished he was overjoyed and it was nice to see him with Higham at the end. Mathers responded to the crowd as well. At times Wigan took him out of the game by kicking to Riley. Credit to Mathers that.