Re: Jake Clifford : Thu Sep 15, 2022 9:30 pm  

It’s almost as if Powell is making it up as he goes along rather than having some genius, long term game plan.

….In terms of Ratchford in Ratchford out etc. We need a half and Clifford could be worth a punt. Ratchford starts in the halves next season and nothing will improve.

Re: Jake Clifford : Thu Sep 15, 2022 9:55 pm  

I don't know him, don't know how people can dismiss him if they don't know him either. If this comes off he'll get my support.

I do know I dont want Ratch as 6

Re: Jake Clifford : Thu Sep 15, 2022 10:28 pm  

He has a pretty decent kicking game from the times I’ve watched him, which has been lacking in the halves for us this year. Only 24 as well so hopefully has this best years still ahead of him. He’s also a good goal kicker too, so I guess it does squeeze Ratchford out of the starting 13.

We still need a centre for me which I hope is Wardle but wouldn’t surprise me to see one or two others leave along with Longstaff before the pre-season kicks in…

Re: Jake Clifford : Fri Sep 16, 2022 6:50 am  

ratticusfinch wrote:

It’s almost as if Powell is making it up as he goes along rather than having some genius, long term game plan.

Obviously I don't know who we are trying to sign, but if we are to believe the chatter then we have made a few attempts to sign halfbacks from the NRL and when one falls away (rejections seen in Australian press) we go to the next. It doesn't feel like we have a long term strategic approach for the vacant half back role at Warrington. I would have hoped we would have lined up a replacement when we decided on Widdop.

Re: Jake Clifford : Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:13 am  

Wires71 wrote:

Obviously I don't know who we are trying to sign, but if we are to believe the chatter then we have made a few attempts to sign halfbacks from the NRL and when one falls away (rejections seen in Australian press) we go to the next. It doesn't feel like we have a long term strategic approach for the vacant half back role at Warrington. I would have hoped we would have lined up a replacement when we decided on Widdop.

It looked like Powell intended to play Ratchford in the halves, but changed his mind, when Ratchford actually played there (Thank goodness).

If we sign Jake Clifford, he will have my support, but I have sympathy for Riley Dean and he doesn`t seem to have a future with Wire?

Re: Jake Clifford : Fri Sep 16, 2022 10:23 am  

Wires71 wrote:

Obviously I don't know who we are trying to sign, but if we are to believe the chatter then we have made a few attempts to sign halfbacks from the NRL and when one falls away (rejections seen in Australian press) we go to the next. It doesn't feel like we have a long term strategic approach for the vacant half back role at Warrington. I would have hoped we would have lined up a replacement when we decided on Widdop.

100%. What is the plan for the 6/7? Scattergun.

Re: Jake Clifford : Fri Sep 16, 2022 12:54 pm  

The word to describe the situation is "shambolic". After the first season ,& mind changing on needing Antipodeans or sticking with the kids ,the bloke is coming across as a right clown unless these instructions are from "on high" .

Perhaps the club is trying to bamboozle fans into buying season tickets.

Re: Jake Clifford : Fri Sep 16, 2022 1:13 pm  

Fake news. Not happening.

Re: Jake Clifford : Fri Sep 16, 2022 1:55 pm  

Smiffy27 wrote:

Wishful thinking from Powell and it didn't happen. If we sign a new half-back it looks like Ratchford will play as back up in various positions ... FB/C/HB/LF/SR/H as required.

Ratch should have been in this role for 2022. No longer quick enough for a starting spot.

Re: Jake Clifford : Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:09 pm  

Wires71 wrote:

Obviously I don't know who we are trying to sign, but if we are to believe the chatter then we have made a few attempts to sign halfbacks from the NRL and when one falls away (rejections seen in Australian press) we go to the next. It doesn't feel like we have a long term strategic approach for the vacant half back role at Warrington. I would have hoped we would have lined up a replacement when we decided on Widdop.

We've had season of swap and change with players in more than one position, brought in 4 forwards for 2023, and 2 during the course of the season, but not looked after the backs in any sort of planning, other than bringing in Dufty for the future. It all feels like a game of hole plugging without really have a plan as to make sure the right shape of plug fits the hole. The result is an unbalanced squad, which were still trying to amend (if reports are correct) at the very last minute. It's baffling, and I hope that 2023 starts with a settled team to get some continuity and players knowing what their roles are in both attack and defence.