Re: RD 11 | Salford Red Devils (H) : Thu May 04, 2023 9:07 pm  

RAPIDO wrote:

Smith sees Handley as the longterm answer at Fb and Bentley is still preferred as backup 9 personally I don't understand his thinking but he's an Rl coach and I'm not so I'll go figure

He doesn’t see Bentley as a back up 9, he seems him as someone who can fill in at 9 for 10/15mins while O’Connor rests, there’s a difference.

Re: RD 11 | Salford Red Devils (H) : Thu May 04, 2023 9:15 pm  

Wonder if the fact that Jack can kick goals come into play too, given Martin’s inconsistency with the boot recently it could be wise to have a second option.

Except maybe one kick Clifford was excellent with the boot tonight. Thought it was a good game and also another timely reminder of why Dwyer wasn’t kept.

Re: RD 11 | Salford Red Devils (H) : Thu May 04, 2023 9:16 pm  

leedsbarmyarmy wrote:

He doesn’t see Bentley as a back up 9, he seems him as someone who can fill in at 9 for 10/15mins while O’Connor rests, there’s a difference.

Agreed. NRL coaches often only use one 9. If O’Connor got injured I doubt we’d see Bentley starting there.

Re: RD 11 | Salford Red Devils (H) : Thu May 04, 2023 10:48 pm  

chapylad wrote:

I really do hope we don`t tinker too much with the team Friday.
Just play Sinfield preferably at 7 leave Myler at FB, Handley on the wing and Martin at SR.
One change instead of several.
Myler isn`t any good in the halves, Handley isn`t really a FB and Martin is far better in the pack.
Why all the tinkering?

I doubt Sinfield will be playing from what Smith said in his presser.

Re: RD 11 | Salford Red Devils (H) : Fri May 05, 2023 5:58 am  

fanstanningley wrote:

I doubt Sinfield will be playing from what Smith said in his presser.

Agree. Clearly Myler into half, Tindall on the wing. Walters won’t get in either.

Re: RD 11 | Salford Red Devils (H) : Fri May 05, 2023 6:24 am  

Barrie’s Glass Eye wrote:

Agreed. NRL coaches often only use one 9. If O’Connor got injured I doubt we’d see Bentley starting there.

The big problem with that strategy is that if O,Connor gets injured, Johnson hasn't been playing so is nowhere near up to match fitness and sharpness.
For me, he should be on the bench and getting 20-30 mins every week.

Re: RD 11 | Salford Red Devils (H) : Fri May 05, 2023 7:42 am  

Simmo71 wrote:

The big problem with that strategy is that if O,Connor gets injured, Johnson hasn't been playing so is nowhere near up to match fitness and sharpness.
For me, he should be on the bench and getting 20-30 mins every week.

You could end up saying that about every position and player tho, its not possible when you have limited players on the bench and limited rotations, its also determined by the game plan.

Sometimes it makes sense to have 4 forwards on the bench. Johnson will get games and opportunities.

Re: RD 11 | Salford Red Devils (H) : Fri May 05, 2023 8:34 am  

Having 4 forwards is Ok as long as one is an interchange hooker - otherwise your options to change the game are really limited. If you have 2 props and two second rowers your really saying we want to contain you and what you see in the first 20 is what you will see for the next 60

Re: RD 11 | Salford Red Devils (H) : Fri May 05, 2023 8:38 am  

leedsbarmyarmy wrote:

You could end up saying that about every position and player tho, its not possible when you have limited players on the bench and limited rotations, its also determined by the game plan.

Sometimes it makes sense to have 4 forwards on the bench. Johnson will get games and opportunities.

It's not happening though is it if you take a like for like example with Warrington Walker has been given time in 1st team and he made England squad.

Re: RD 11 | Salford Red Devils (H) : Fri May 05, 2023 8:42 am  

Zoo Zoo Boom wrote:

Having 4 forwards is Ok as long as one is an interchange hooker - otherwise your options to change the game are really limited. If you have 2 props and two second rowers your really saying we want to contain you and what you see in the first 20 is what you will see for the next 60

From what I've seen of Johnson he doesn't really seem like a game changer tho, does the important hooking stuff well, probably needs to get better in defence, but isnt that running speedy hooker that changes games.

If you want two hookers with contrasting styles you want a young Roby or Daz Clarke.

If you're up against a big team, it makes sense to have 3 middles and a second row on the bench. Keep your pack fresh.