Re: Todays match v Huddersfield : Mon Aug 29, 2022 5:58 pm  

Moe syslak wrote:

Stick him in the second row then. When opposition half backs spread the ball wide he is constantly shooting out of the line or making a bad defensive read. Lost count of the number of tries we have conceded due to his defensive mistakes.

Must admit I have thought ... he'd make a good second row.
But Conor Wrench's main weakness looked like his defence to me. So not surprised Mat. has played right centre most of time.
I think Mat. and Holmes have taken stick from those "who don't really watch the game" because of their obvious association with Powell. All sorts of "herberts" seems to throw cr!p at em.

Re: Todays match v Huddersfield : Mon Aug 29, 2022 6:03 pm  

Smiffy27 wrote:

Must admit I have thought ... he'd make a good second row.
But Conor Wrench's main weakness looked like his defence to me. So not surprised Mat. has played right centre most of time.
I think Mat. and Holmes have taken stick from those "who don't really watch the game" because of their obvious association with Powell. All sorts of "herberts" seems to throw cr!p at em.

I stuck up for matautia earlier in the season. He was excellent v cas(obviously had a point to prove), in my opinion he was man of the match and superb at stand off against Huddersfield(our best performance of the season)and was also very good against Saints. Since then he has performed appallingly, although he's not alone there. I'd still rather have him at half back than ratchford though!

Re: Todays match v Huddersfield : Mon Aug 29, 2022 6:22 pm  

Not sure that’s true. It was Dean who ran the show. Matautia was decent enough.

The one thing he’s done well is the hard yards, which was especially useful early when we getting battered in the forwards. He’s been less effective lately though.

Sounds like Hayes has gone well, which is great, but frustrating in equal measure. Anyone watching can see Ratchford isn’t a half back and yet he plays week in week out. I’m willing to give Powell a chance next season but he persists with Ratchford then he can go.

Re: Todays match v Huddersfield : Mon Aug 29, 2022 6:37 pm  

Whoever’s decision it was to give Stefan Ratchford a 2 year contract extension should be sacked before the bank holiday ends.

Re: Todays match v Huddersfield : Mon Aug 29, 2022 7:03 pm  

Smiffy27 wrote:

Must admit I have thought ... he'd make a good second row.
But Conor Wrench's main weakness looked like his defence to me. So not surprised Mat. has played right centre most of time.
I think Mat. and Holmes have taken stick from those "who don't really watch the game" because of their obvious association with Powell. All sorts of "herberts" seems to throw cr!p at em.

I’m sorry but apart from the last 3 games Holmes had been dreadful all season and you didn’t need to be some coaching expert to see that. Stats don’t tell you all that but the 20m made v HKR was one of his many lowlights. Frustration with Holmes’ performances had nothing to do with his Powell association, many were not happy with Currie in equal measure. I think most people were happy with the Holmes signing as he seemed a good pro at Cas. If he continues as he has done in the last few games (I didn’t see today) then maybe he can redeem himself. Holmes has not been doing unseen work that only genius RL brains can notice, he had a mare for 95% of the season.

Re: Todays match v Huddersfield : Mon Aug 29, 2022 7:27 pm  

clutch wrote:

Anyone watching can see Ratchford isn’t a half back and yet he plays week in week out.

Powell has a real blind spot there.

Imagine if Ratchford had played for another team at full back for seasons on end. Could you imagine us signing him to play half back for 2023? Not in a million years.

We must be looking for a back.

Re: Todays match v Huddersfield : Mon Aug 29, 2022 7:35 pm  

Moving on ... I think we may have more signings to come. Powell did suggest we were still looking. For me I would love a Right Wing, Half Back & keep Wardle. I like Thewlis so much that I would really look at the potential to convert him into a half-back otherwise I'm not sure where he will play at Super League level. I'm also not certain about how good Wrench is & his best position ... good in space with the ball but need to see more. We won't be spending money on more forwards.

Re: Todays match v Huddersfield : Mon Aug 29, 2022 7:41 pm  

Smiffy27 wrote:

Moving on ... I think we may have more signings to come. Powell did suggest we were still looking. For me I would love a Right Wing, Half Back & keep Wardle. I like Thewlis so much that I would really look at the potential to convert him into a half-back otherwise I'm not sure where he will play at Super League level. I'm also not certain about how good Wrench is & his best position ... good in space with the ball but need to see more. We won't be spending money on more forwards.

A halfback with a kicking game is an absolute must, then Ratchford as utility player makes perfect sense.

Re: Todays match v Huddersfield : Mon Aug 29, 2022 7:44 pm  

I’d like us to sign Murphy from Wakefield but I believe Saints are sniffing around him. Looks a great player.

Re: Todays match v Huddersfield : Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:07 pm  

Wires71 wrote:

A halfback with a kicking game is an absolute must, then Ratchford as utility player makes perfect sense.

We should be throwing the whole budget at Brodie Croft.