Re: Where do we go from here? Two weeks off! : Tue Apr 12, 2016 7:35 am  

It's very simple. We need a kicking half back who can actually pass the ball.

On a side note,how fantastic is it to see 2 props playing with such passion and vigour. Fleming and Clark have been a pleasure to watch.

[Bullseye]

Re: Where do we go from here? Two weeks off! : Tue Apr 12, 2016 7:37 am  

I’m not sure Brooks is a playmaker. He may have been worth a shot I don’t know. I just remember him being dwarfed by the players around him when he played with the first team in pre-season games. If anything Richie Hawkyard has been getting all the plaudits at Keighley with Paul Handforth.

I take the point about Tomkins and Burrow. However neither have become playmaking halfbacks. One is a fullback, albeit a good one and the other was more of a runner and has been an impact hooker for the past 5 years at least. Sinfield and McGuire did all the playmaking at Leeds. I think a small halfback can break through when he’s young if he’s got something extra special like blinding pace off the mark like Burrow did. I have a feeling Tomkins got moved to fullback to suit his game and physical stature. His defence has never been a strong point.

Occasionally the little halfback can be a really strong defender. I remember Allan Langer and Peter Sterling being superb defenders.

I like the look of Zac Baker in the U19s but he needs to improve his contact in defence as he can get shoved off. If that happens at U19s then it’s even more likely in the first team.

Re: Where do we go from here? Two weeks off! : Tue Apr 12, 2016 8:03 am  

Bull Mania wrote:

I do agree Bullseye but on the other side of the coin, Sam Tomkins particularly in the first couple of years didn't look anything like a rugby player physically. I think we're still waiting for Rob Burrow to be physically ready for full time rugby

Yes HBs they need to defend, but at the same time most of our team should be dropped based on their defending in recent weeks.

I want my HB to be able to kick, pass, organise and put a team mate through a gap. Danny Addy and Gaskell both miss plenty of tackles. But Addy can't really do any of what I just mentioned consistently.

Brooks been playing for Keighley in league 1 regularly so to have given him a few games against Hunslet and Workington when we absolutely dominated wouldn't have done him any harm.

It's the fact we didn't even give him a chance that annoys me when being in the championship was the perfect opportunity to do so. we found ourselves in a situation with a loose forward and centre as our HB partnership for a lot of last year and no number 7 for all of this year. It's bonkers.

The young lads we've given debuts this year have all held their own. Im sure Adam Brook would have been ok with him and Gaskell at 6&7 while we could still have been on the look out for a more experienced HB if needed and one became available. At the moment we've no one and might not get one as no one might be available.

Luke Walsh is a perfect example of a very talented half back who can't defend for toffee. But you don't see St. Helens leaving him out.

[Bullseye]

Re: Where do we go from here? Two weeks off! : Tue Apr 12, 2016 9:43 am  

True. You do see plenty of moaning about his weak defence by their fans though. I guess in the end if his contribution is overall is more positive than negative then he deserves his place.

Applies to every position.

Re: Where do we go from here? Two weeks off! : Tue Apr 12, 2016 10:14 am  

Bullseye wrote:

True. You do see plenty of moaning about his weak defence by their fans though. I guess in the end if his contribution is overall is more positive than negative then he deserves his place.

Applies to every position.

I don't blame them for moaning, especially after seeing his turnstile act against Warrington.

But you're spot on, as long as the positives outweigh the negatives, that's what matters. We have a couple of players in the team already whose defence is awful more often than it's average, but they offer something else to the team that means you put up with it (Omari Caro shouts as the perfect example).

Re: Where do we go from here? Two weeks off! : Tue Apr 12, 2016 11:14 am  

vbfg wrote:

Must admit I thought Deacon was younger than that. IIRC he was a teenager when he came here so I take back my statement about him almost fully formed when he came here.

(Cue Tigertot)

I've moved on. My ire is currently focused on Matty Smith, a penniless man's Paul Deacon.

Re: Where do we go from here? Two weeks off! : Tue Apr 12, 2016 11:16 am  

Bullseye wrote:

In the 80s and 90s halfbacks usually weighed around 12-13st. Shaun Edwards was 11st!

And yet he played centre for GB, I think against the Kiwis.

[Bullseye]

Re: Where do we go from here? Two weeks off! : Tue Apr 12, 2016 11:29 am  

Yes he was marking Dean Bell of all people.

Re: Where do we go from here? Two weeks off! : Tue Apr 12, 2016 11:47 am  

tigertot wrote:

I've moved on. My ire is currently focused on Matty Smith, a penniless man's Paul Deacon.

Someone else I would take in less than a heart beat.

Re: Where do we go from here? Two weeks off! : Tue Apr 12, 2016 5:12 pm  

vbfg wrote:

Someone else I would take in less than a heart beat.

I wouldn't touch him with a barge pole. OK while his team is on top & he has space to kick, but hopeless under pressure, shocking passing, can't tackle & is slower than a sloth. His kicking is mediocre unless it is peeing down.