Akinwale Arobieke wrote:
Can't believe nobody piped up when asked if anybody had an issue with the policy of promoting youth. There's a difference between promoting it and the complete over reliance we've got on it now, especially in the pack. Half that pack is not Super League standard and I doubt ever will be. Paul Sculthorpe hit the nail on the head last week when he said too many in our pack don't look Super League ready. The reason the gap between Saints and us is getting wider is because they know how to bring their youth through. Gradually and with the support of seasoned pros all around them. There's method in the Saints approach. And fair play to them, they're reaping the rewards.
And why no goal kicker since Pat Richards left? Presumably another department Radlinski knows nowt about, along with forwards.
Our young forwards don’t have the luxury of playing with seasoned and other good forwards (with the obvious exceptions of Farrell and Bateman). Havard would be, and still is IMO, on course to be a top, top front rower if he had the likes of Walmsley, Knowles, Prior, Millington tutoring him and I doubt Byrne/Partington would even get a look in.
Smithies works hard, he’s a real grafter and you do need players like him in your team but a question mark remains over him for me over his effectiveness. He reminds me of Harrison Hansen; willing to do the tough stuff and dependable but just not there.
Shorrocks I like, he has something about him but I’ve said it before in that I just don’t know whether he has what it takes to be at a top level SL club.
KPP is a star in the making IMO an absolute must keep at all costs. I would possibly put Halsall in that bracket too.
Smith I’d like to see under a new (and competent) coach before calling for him to go. There is clear talent there but as I’ve repeatedly said he looks lost and completely devoid of any confidence which is clearly affecting his game. It’s like sending a lamb to the slaughter having him kick, why not Zak? That’s not going to help him.
The issue we have is as you’ve pointed out, our over reliance on the youngsters which has been down to poor senior player form, or injuries. Clubb and Clarke aren’t great role models for our young props, Bullock is a total waste of time and Singleton though I like him and out of our senior props I’d rate him the highest, blows hot and cold. He was outstanding v Cas but has been virtually anonymous in other games. If French/Field had been fit I doubt we’d have seen Smith half as much and now Field is fit again but clearly struggling for form.
The Saints approach is without doubt the best way to do it, but let’s be fair; they’ve not had anywhere near the injuries or loss of form of senior players we have. That’s a huge reason for this IMO.
