Re: Next game v Leigh : Sat May 08, 2021 4:34 pm  

jonh wrote:

When French moved to fullback today the team looked significantly more dangerous and fluid in attack.

It was at a time when we had been given licence to move the ball around but I agree. Hardaker really should’ve kept his trap shut on the whole ‘I’m the best fullback’ thing. He’s had two nightmares since saying that and to me should now be moved back to centre. It’s always seemed the best thing for the team given the personnel we have but when you’re flying, how do you move him? But when you’ve had a couple of shockers you lose your grip on the spot.

Re: Next game v Leigh : Sat May 08, 2021 4:36 pm  

jonh wrote:

When French moved to fullback today the team looked significantly more dangerous and fluid in attack.

Yeah that is true tbf.

I'm not against the change tbh, I'm just not full sold on the French dream. I think he's a good player, that can provide highlight reel moments. I do however think at their best, Zak is a better FB. If that the allows us to bring in a better centre, I'd argue the team is better balanced.

Re: Next game v Leigh : Sat May 08, 2021 4:39 pm  

Trainman wrote:

I’d agree re Harvard. He looks like his hearts not in it.

I wouldn’t go that far. He needs to find something inside himself to fulfil where I think he can go but that is to the very top of the game (internationals), so to see him drop off from last season is just a little surprising. I blame Lam for a lot of the issues in the prop department. The recruitment has been poor but there’s no doubt in my mind that Bullock and Havard aren’t being used enough. We started today with Singleton, Byrne and Partington in the middle and all three make less ground than Havard and Bullock (even with Havard not at his best).

Re: Next game v Leigh : Sat May 08, 2021 4:40 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

What makes you say that?

The general consensus is 1 trophy = one year contract, 2 = a 2 year deal.

If Lam wins the league, IL will extend his time with us.

the fact that if we win the CC then the club get a nice influx of cash....crashing out again with a p*ss poor performance must be grinding him, especially in the climate we are in

Re: Next game v Leigh : Sat May 08, 2021 5:09 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Byrne has without any doubt in my mind had a good season so far. There’s no denying he was woeful today but he wasn’t on his own and he’s the least of our worries. Young Havard is worrying me more. It’s probably a case of second season syndrome but he’s being dominated quite comfortably at the minute. I expected him to kick on this season and even push for a World Cup spot but he’s struggling. He needs to find an aggressive streak from somewhere. That’s not going round punching people or kicking off but aggression to hit the line hard, aggression to keep pumping his legs in contact and aggression in defence. He’s a special talent for me but it all just looks a bit lethargic at the minute. It’s probably a sad indictment of where we find ourselves in the front row that we need to ask for so much more from a 20 year old kid.

That’s a case of being our best prop, senior prop whilst still being a young inexperienced prop. He’s carrying the weight and expectation to make yards and carry the team forward on his shoulders, it’s little wonder he seems to be struggling a bit.

Re: Next game v Leigh : Sat May 08, 2021 5:17 pm  

To me Smith looks a little lost this season as many have said he last tackle plays are poor,probably inexperience but someone needs to get a grip on him and help him out

Re: Next game v Leigh : Sat May 08, 2021 5:29 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

That’s a case of being our best prop, senior prop whilst still being a young inexperienced prop. He’s carrying the weight and expectation to make yards and carry the team forward on his shoulders, it’s little wonder he seems to be struggling a bit.

I agree. It’s shocking really he could be in that position and the club is to blame for that. He should be allowed a bit of second season syndrome and have senior props to guide him through that but he hasn’t. If you put Havard at Saints and let him play with Walmsley, Passi and Amor then it’s miles easier.

It’s disgraceful the shape we find ourselves in at prop when I put that down in word form.

Re: Next game v Leigh : Sat May 08, 2021 5:43 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I agree. It’s shocking really he could be in that position and the club is to blame for that. He should be allowed a bit of second season syndrome and have senior props to guide him through that but he hasn’t. If you put Havard at Saints and let him play with Walmsley, Passi and Amor then it’s miles easier.

It’s disgraceful the shape we find ourselves in at prop when I put that down in word form.

He goes to Saints he develops into a top class forward in 2/3yrs without a shadow of a doubt. If he carries on the way he is currently at Wigan, through no fault of his own I may add, he dwindles.

Your post has really wound me up about it, not because of your opinion; it’s bang on, but the situation we find ourselves in. Someone said on Twitter (and in here) we have the worst pack in the league in the context of props and honestly I’m struggling to disagree. How we let it get to this stage willingly is criminal. You’re not telling me there’s not enough cash in the bank to sign these cheap, effective, metre making and intimidating props like a Sau like a Satae? I’m amazed. I really am. Against the weaker teams like Leigh we’ll be fine, on the topic I expect us to dismantle them next week, but as is shown today against your Hulls/Wires/Saints you get found out if the pack is weak.

Re: Next game v Leigh : Sat May 08, 2021 5:53 pm  

Radlinski needs to go and then we can start to change the culture and direction of our recruitment. It’s all well and good him sending bottles of whiskey to people when they’ve played 100 games or whatever but he hasn’t cut it from a recruitment and success perspective. Teflon.

Re: Next game v Leigh : Sat May 08, 2021 6:03 pm  

DannyT wrote:

Radlinski needs to go and then we can start to change the culture and direction of our recruitment. It’s all well and good him sending bottles of whiskey to people when they’ve played 100 games or whatever but he hasn’t cut it from a recruitment and success perspective. Teflon.

How do you know what Radlinski's duties are? I wonder whether he had a role in retaining both French and Hastings when everyone thought they would both be gone.