Re: Jordan Cox : Mon Apr 13, 2015 1:57 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

I keep coming back to the problem of Amor being our only genuine grafter. Richards is an able squad filler, but he's a bit off the quality we want at the moment. (someone like) Walker could be a real boost to our Squad.

We're often speculating about Tasi for a replacement for Mose, but I'm a massive fan of Phil Joseph. I know not everyone (or indeed perhaps anyone) rates him, but he always seems to cause the defence trouble when I see him carry the ball.

Richards is fine - for his age. If anything I'd say he's a fraction above the curve.

Re: Jordan Cox : Mon Apr 13, 2015 2:16 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

I keep coming back to the problem of Amor being our only genuine grafter. Richards is an able squad filler, but he's a bit off the quality we want at the moment. (someone like) Walker could be a real boost to our Squad.

We're often speculating about Tasi for a replacement for Mose, but I'm a massive fan of Phil Joseph. I know not everyone (or indeed perhaps anyone) rates him, but he always seems to cause the defence trouble when I see him carry the ball.

I don't rate Walker any higher than I do Richards, but Richards has 4 years on him - there are times when I question whether Richards will make it and there are times when I'm convinced he will. He's playing one of if not the toughest position for a teenager and I'm willing to give him a couple more years yet. It took singleton that long at Leeds and I'd put them in a similar bracket. For a year of two having him as 5th choice prop would be my preference but really pushing 4th choice.

As for Mose he's really disappointed me this year. I defended him a lot last year and thought he showed signs of kicking on ... Unfortunately his workrate seems to have fallen off a cliff ... Probably correllated to him signing an NRL deal I'd guess. There are lots of props I'd take a punt on to replace him (Adam walker being one, as he's looked good whenever I've seen him this year) however Phil Joseph is like having a smaller, less fit version of Mose!

Re: Jordan Cox : Mon Apr 13, 2015 2:17 pm  

Mugwump wrote:

Richards is fine - for his age. If anything I'd say he's a fraction above the curve.

I completely agree. Props are the slowest to mature to potential but, while he'll fill in with no disgrace, he's yet to turn in any outstanding individual performances (although I've seen him put a couple of cracking hits on people this season, including Benny Westwood).
I expect him to improve (probably into a club stalwart) but, at the moment, if you discount his age and potential and judge him solely on current ability, he's below what we want from a starting 17 player IMO.

Re: Jordan Cox : Mon Apr 13, 2015 2:20 pm  

Magic Superbeetle wrote:

however Phil Joseph

I've noticed that I seem to be the only person that rates him.

Re: Jordan Cox : Mon Apr 13, 2015 2:46 pm  

I always though Jordan Cox would have done better than he has, but he's still only young and in general props don't fully develop until their mid / late 20's.

Another prop to watch out for is Will Maher a Cumbrian lad who plays for Cas U19's academy. He's a monster, about 6'6" and 16 stone plus

Re: Jordan Cox : Mon Apr 13, 2015 3:35 pm  

We have got and can do better than Cox.

Re: Jordan Cox : Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:14 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

I completely agree. Props are the slowest to mature to potential but, while he'll fill in with no disgrace, he's yet to turn in any outstanding individual performances (although I've seen him put a couple of cracking hits on people this season, including Benny Westwood).
I expect him to improve (probably into a club stalwart) but, at the moment, if you discount his age and potential and judge him solely on current ability, he's below what we want from a starting 17 player IMO.

I think you are being a bit unfair on the lad. After all, it's tough to look great when you have four or five forwards literally pulling up trees alongside you over the last 12 months.

The mere fact he's keeping his head above water speaks volumes, IMO. He's a useful player now. He'll be a very useful player in eighteen months.

Re: Jordan Cox : Mon Apr 13, 2015 5:26 pm  

Magic Superbeetle wrote:

I don't rate Walker any higher than I do Richards, but Richards has 4 years on him - there are times when I question whether Richards will make it and there are times when I'm convinced he will. He's playing one of if not the toughest position for a teenager and I'm willing to give him a couple more years yet. It took singleton that long at Leeds and I'd put them in a similar bracket. For a year of two having him as 5th choice prop would be my preference but really pushing 4th choice.

As for Mose he's really disappointed me this year. I defended him a lot last year and thought he showed signs of kicking on ... Unfortunately his workrate seems to have fallen off a cliff ... Probably correllated to him signing an NRL deal I'd guess. There are lots of props I'd take a punt on to replace him (Adam walker being one, as he's looked good whenever I've seen him this year) however Phil Joseph is like having a smaller, less fit version of Mose!

I think Richards of last year was head and shoulders above walker at his best but I don't think Richards has kicked on how I expected. Richards is only Young and has time on his side so hopefully he will kick on.

Re: Jordan Cox : Mon Apr 13, 2015 5:45 pm  

St pete wrote:

I think Richards of last year was head and shoulders above walker at his best but I don't think Richards has kicked on how I expected. Richards is only Young and has time on his side so hopefully he will kick on.

I think it's fair to say he's had an element of second season syndrome which gets magnified by the fact Thompson hasn't (yet) - but I also think there's an element of that to do with the amount of experience we lost in the pack last year - Richards always had the safety net of Laffranchi and he doesn't this year.

Sometimes it can take a few years, at 19 time is on his side, and hopefully a bit of competition and support for that 4th prop place in the coming years will see him really flourish. I'm still very hopeful he can become very very good.

Re: Jordan Cox : Mon Apr 13, 2015 5:54 pm  

Is he 19? If so he's a BIG 19.