: Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:27 pm  

fanstanningley wrote:

Agreed.

If Smith was his preferred option what chance has he had to play him? with a combination of Webb's injury and his own Smith has had no opportunity to play at centre

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:04 pm  

Eccleshill Rhino wrote:

If Smith was his preferred option what chance has he had to play him? with a combination of Webb's injury and his own Smith has had no opportunity to play at centre

He hasn't but he could of given Gibson,Ablett or Watkins an extended run in stead of changing nearly every game.

Re: Right hand side - cracked record : Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:01 pm  

tvoc wrote:

So having a goto option on the right, in addition to our goto option on the left, wouldn't improve the attacking options of the team?

The right centre isn't the only issue with the side but it's still an issue.

I'm not saying recruitment is not needed. But come on, the tactics are simply awful. We dont get the ball to the centres anyway, so I dont see what difference it would make having a quality star in there.

I think we have scored less points than anybody in the top 8 now, and less than Catalans, and Warrington, outside the 8. 10 teams better than us. That shows how poor we are with ball in hand. That can't simply come down to not having a decent right centre.

If we were any more predictable in our style of play, we might aswell give the opposition the two points before the game, to save embarrassement. Move the ball widish, then pass on the inside to the crappy second rower running at the angle inside. I could teach kids to defend against that.

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:31 pm  

we are predictable in that everything comes from our left hand side and has done for some time. Add to the fact keith seniors legs are now 33, not only are we predictable we're not as good down that side than in years gone down.

I could coach a team of kids to defend a team who only attacks one side of the field.

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:49 pm  

Interesting that there's no "Bluey out' thread on here. Smith would have benn burned in effigy by now with results and performances of this year.

Right centre and wing is one area that isn't doing so well. IMO the pack is playing soft regardless of personnel and the 'creative' players we have are virtually all in dire form. Between them 5 international 'playmakers' can't create a half chance.

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:51 pm  

Leeds don't have much of an attacking option on the right so they don't go there. Has Donald received more than half a dozen or so passes this season?

It's a bit of a chicken or the egg discussion.

Perhaps they would if they had a reason to. Neither Gibson or Watkins give them that reason. Gleeson settling in nicely at Wigan though.

Maybe it will improve if Smith can get himself back available for selection.

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 11:03 pm  

I would happily be proved wrong, but I suspect that Smith won't be a great centre either. He's a confident player with a step and some speed and a pretty good rugby brain from what I've seen. But he's small for a centre.

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 11:51 pm  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

I would happily be proved wrong, but I suspect that Smith won't be a great centre either. He's a confident player with a step and some speed and a pretty good rugby brain from what I've seen. But he's small for a centre.

So's Jennings. I doubt though that he will make a good centre as you said but not because of his size. He is more suited to the FB position. Thats where he has shone since been in the academy.

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:05 am  

I agree that Smith is a natural full back.

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:26 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

I agree that Smith is a natural full back.

Also a proven winger at club and international level

Webbs natural replacement for sure