Re: Departures confirmed : Sat Aug 27, 2022 11:03 pm  

Wires71 wrote:

Good points. In my opinion D Clark will have more success with big forwards creating fast play the balls, scattered or late retreating defenders. But we do need a number 7.

CW8 has covered how I would have answered, in that Ratchford is not the answer at half back going forward, and as DP does not appear to have belief in Riley Dean, he's not had enough games to really form an opinion. Riley Dean has potential, but so many opportunities were wasted this year when he should have been in the starting 13. It's either give him a go, or Thewlis to FB and Dufty in the halves. Ratchford's best days have come and gone, he's not the answer, shouldn't be in the starting 13 and shouldn't be captain. We need a leader on the park, and someone quicker than Ratchford in the halves.

Re: Departures confirmed : Sun Aug 28, 2022 6:48 am  

He is only 18, and small for a halfback, but Leon Hayes is the organising half that we need in our 1st team.

Behind next year`s big pack, he could be dominant.

Re: Departures confirmed : Sun Aug 28, 2022 8:01 am  

It's a little bit much to put on the younger lads shoulders but if we want to find out whether they have the mettle to hack it as first team starters then you need to throw them in, wrapping them in cotton wool and taking them out of the firing line won't do them any good in the long run. These last 4 games are a massive missed opportunity not giving them a couple of games each or Riley Dean all 4. He will play ratchford and won't see that it doesn't work despite the fact it won't in any of those games. I'd be much happier with stef at right centre all next season as a starter than him be in the halves. I'm really not against ratchford at all, he'd be fine in the halves alongside an organiser with a kicking game (same as Williams) but he isn't and Williams is a better options than him there for running and structured halfback play.

Re: Departures confirmed : Sun Aug 28, 2022 8:03 am  

I do wonder how hard our lack of a settled half back combination has hurt us. I appreciate that only Saints have suffered as a result of injuries this season, but makes you think…

Re: Departures confirmed : Sun Aug 28, 2022 8:10 am  

CW8 wrote:

It's a little bit much to put on the younger lads shoulders but if we want to find out whether they have the mettle to hack it as first team starters then you need to throw them in, wrapping them in cotton wool and taking them out of the firing line won't do them any good in the long run. These last 4 games are a massive missed opportunity not giving them a couple of games each or Riley Dean all 4. He will play ratchford and won't see that it doesn't work despite the fact it won't in any of those games. I'd be much happier with stef at right centre all next season as a starter than him be in the halves. I'm really not against ratchford at all, he'd be fine in the halves alongside an organiser with a kicking game (same as Williams) but he isn't and Williams is a better options than him there for running and structured halfback play.

He would have his own personal minder in Josh Maguire, so I think he would be OK and would be the perfect foil for Williams.

Re: Departures confirmed : Sun Aug 28, 2022 8:50 am  

Boss Hog wrote:

He would have his own personal minder in Josh Maguire, so I think he would be OK and would be the perfect foil for Williams.

I agree, won't happen though. Powell seems to have stubbornly made up his mind. We ned to free Williams to play how he is most effective not concerning himself with field position and ki King strategy but making the most of what's in front if him on the back of an effective kicking strategy. IMO of course, I'm not rugny league coach but I really don't see how he could think no kicking game would work.

Re: Departures confirmed : Sun Aug 28, 2022 9:00 am  

Well if the rumours are true that we’re after Wakeham then Powell can’t be that set in his ways of Ratchford at 6. Unless he plans to play Wakeham at 9 and get rid of Walker.

After seeing the gouging incident I’m not sure I’d want Wakeham as that grubby act would make McGuire blush.

Re: Departures confirmed : Sun Aug 28, 2022 11:45 am  

Boss Hog wrote:

He would have his own personal minder in Josh Maguire, so I think he would be OK and would be the perfect foil for Williams.

I am looking forward to having an enforcer on the pitch in p&b again

Re: Departures confirmed : Sun Aug 28, 2022 11:55 am  

Boss Hog wrote:

He is only 18, and small for a halfback, but Leon Hayes is the organising half that we need in our 1st team.

Behind next year`s big pack, he could be dominant.

Leon Hayes - surely his nickname should be 'Olympique'. That's one for any fans of French football out there...

Re: Departures confirmed : Sun Aug 28, 2022 11:58 am  

The Speculator wrote:

Leon Hayes - surely his nickname should be 'Olympique'. That's one for any fans of French football out there...

Hannibal Hayes and Kid Currie, for any Western fans on here.