Re: Matty Bowen : Sat Mar 15, 2014 1:16 pm  

To me the biggest issue is the lack of communication in defence. In Tomkins he would never shut up and was always screaming at the line telling them where they needed to be, in the first half I didnt see any of that and the overlaps KR got showed this. In the 2nd half he seemed to be directing a bit (maybe had a word of wane) but still not enough for a fullback...

Re: Matty Bowen : Sat Mar 15, 2014 9:55 pm  

jonh wrote:

I actually felt sorry for Gardner. He is one of those players with too much heart.

Every time he took it up he got absolutely spannered but he kept going back for more.

As for Bowen's lack of pace, Burgess struggled to keep up with him until they both got in full flight. His acceleration is still very impressive.

Pace can be looked at in all sorts of ways, when Bowen set off Burgess was probably a couple of yards behind but he slowly dragged him back and at the finish Burgess was jogging at the side of Bowen.
One example of this was a match at Warrington about 1984 (?), John Fergurson picked up a ball from acting halfback (as he used to do) and set off for the sticks 70 yards away, Brett Kenny went after him and he finished up strolling along at the side of Fergy for the last 15 yards. I am certain it is on utube somewhere and I know someone will find it.

Some players have absolutely blistering pace over 50 yards but over the longer distance they can fade, Burgess has that long raking stride which may take up to 20 yards to get going but after that watch him go.

The best I have seen over 50 yards was probably Alex Murphy, but once through he still took some catching.
As for the long distance men Joe Lydon and Stuart Wright, both long striding ,but once in top gear they took some catching. ( Charriots Offiiah I have left out because to me he was a sprinter born and bread who happened to make rather a good rugby player.

But one player who they say was the quickest of the lot over 40 yards was supposed to be Cesc Mountford they say he was lightening, I used to think that I saw him play for Wigan when I started watching Wigan in app 53/54 but checking Bilkos records he moved to the Wire about 52/53.

Re: Matty Bowen : Sat Mar 15, 2014 10:38 pm  

stillinthepast wrote:

One example of this was a match at Warrington about 1984 (?), John Fergurson picked up a ball from acting halfback (as he used to do) and set off for the sticks 70 yards away, Brett Kenny went after him and he finished up strolling along at the side of Fergy for the last 15 yards. I am certain it is on utube somewhere and I know someone will find it.

John Ferguson was possibly unique. If you check out any vids, you can see he was at top speed in one step. Quick off the mark. And to quote Ray French "He could sidestep on a tanner".

Re: Matty Bowen : Sun Mar 16, 2014 6:09 am  

Another player we had, Jamie Ainscough, was quick, but only when he was in the mood. Remember this, still one of the best tries scored at the JJB/DW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elE5GPdbCbQ

Another player we had, Jamie Ainscough, was quick, but only when he was in the mood. Remember this, still one of the best tries scored at the JJB/DW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elE5GPdbCbQ

Re: Matty Bowen : Sun Mar 16, 2014 9:37 am  

wigginswarrior wrote: Another player we had, Jamie Ainscough, was quick, but only when he was in the mood. Remember this, still one of the best tries scored at the JJB/DW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elE5GPdbCbQ Bloody hell, Eddie almost sounded excited there. Looks like he briefly forgot himself and became an RL fan rather than the crass, parochial twonk he normally is (for further info on that, check Friday night's ludicrous commentary).

wigginswarrior wrote: Another player we had, Jamie Ainscough, was quick, but only when he was in the mood. Remember this, still one of the best tries scored at the JJB/DW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elE5GPdbCbQ Bloody hell, Eddie almost sounded excited there. Looks like he briefly forgot himself and became an RL fan rather than the crass, parochial twonk he normally is (for further info on that, check Friday night's ludicrous commentary).

Re: Matty Bowen : Sun Mar 16, 2014 10:18 am  

wigginswarrior wrote: Another player we had, Jamie Ainscough, was quick, but only when he was in the mood. Remember this, still one of the best tries scored at the JJB/DW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elE5GPdbCbQ Yeah, though outrunning Wellens is not exactly difficult, even giving a 20 metre start...

wigginswarrior wrote: Another player we had, Jamie Ainscough, was quick, but only when he was in the mood. Remember this, still one of the best tries scored at the JJB/DW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elE5GPdbCbQ Yeah, though outrunning Wellens is not exactly difficult, even giving a 20 metre start...

Re: Matty Bowen : Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:47 am  

To me Bowen is a maverick, he can do something out of nothing. He worked with one of the best in Thurston and between them they produced sheer brilliance at times. We've signed an off the cuff player and tried to turn him into a robot chiming into the line at specified times. We need to let him play his own game, our players need to learn to adapt somewhat to him as well adapting to our system. The guy can be a genius, but he can only do it our players allow it and work with him.

Re: Matty Bowen : Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:34 am  

Bowen played a very structured game plan at the Cowboys at times as well, often dictating play at first receiver as well as the off the cuff stuff. I just think that he is still finding his feet in relation to the structured stuff and being a bit more vocal in organising the defense.

I was generally really pleased with his contribution on Friday. If Sam Tomkins gave a contribution like that I think the board would have been buzzing with positive comments.

I don't think it was a perfect display by any stretch but he came up with big plays at big times for us during the 80 minutes.

Re: Matty Bowen : Mon Mar 17, 2014 11:30 am  

jonh wrote:

I was generally really pleased with his contribution on Friday. If Sam Tomkins gave a contribution like that I think the board would have been buzzing with positive comments.

TBF i don't think that's true. I've already seen a few comments on here saying that Sam had a poor season last year. Even in his so called 'off days' he was streets ahead of anyone else in the league.

If he didn't go 80 meters and beat 6 guys in the process many on here had him down as having a bad game.

What i wouldn't give for one of those 'bad games' at the min

Re: Matty Bowen : Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:30 pm  

Thought he was good on Friday. He's slowly getting to grips IMO, of course he's not going to be as effective as Sam was wrapping around the back but we all knew that before a ball was kicked this year. Wane and the coaching staff are beginning to change the way we play with the last few games I've seen and our attack is looking good at the moment, averaging 30 pts a game.