Saddened! wrote:
Gareth O'Brien looks a player doesn't he? He was all class for Saints in his time with us and seems to be playing brilliantly at fullback for Salford. Was it perhaps a short sighted move from Warrington to not retain him? Possibly at the expense of the headless chicken that is Steffan Ratchford?
Also, what a start to the season Ben Currie has had! How long is his Wire contract? I think you are doing him a massive dis-service in not letting an NRL side take him now, he's world class and needs to be playing over there, not bullying semi-pro standard SL sides.
I am a big fan of Gareth O'Brien, but it has to be said that he was not doing what needed to be done at half-back, which was giving the team some direction. He is probably better suited to fullback wher he can add the odd touch of class without having the responsibility of playmaker-in-chief. Wire have different prioriries from their fullback. Russel contributes in a totally different way but is invaluable in what he does. Jack Johnson is next up if you don't count Gidley as a fullback. You can't keep every player under the salary cap rules so, on balance, letting him go was the right thing.
I diagree completely with Ron, though. I thought he did well last night. If he 'got smashed' all the more credit to him for coming back for more. His insinct to put his foot behind the line just as Lineham was bearing down on a ball that looked ready to stop in the box was real class under pressnure. Add to that he kicked well ( including a 40 20 ).