James Laithwaite : Wed Jul 18, 2018 8:35 pm  

According to the T&A we are going to offer Laithwaite the security of a contract even after his leg break. We were looking to keep him for 2019 as our player and this hasn't changed.

Sorry if this has been posted. What are people's thoughts on it? Initially I was a bit weary and that we should see how it goes first. Don't want another Sculthorpe or Karl Davies on our hands. But on the other hand very nice to see the club show some loyalty to a player who has been very very solid since arriving!

Re: James Laithwaite : Wed Jul 18, 2018 8:49 pm  

Ashley Gibson also out with a broken thumb but Lee Smith should be back

[Bullseye]

Re: James Laithwaite : Wed Jul 18, 2018 9:27 pm  

I'm sure the club got an idea of the severity of the injury and likelihood of recovery before offering a deal. A leg break is in many ways an easier thingvto come back from than a torn ACL so it could've been worse. Here's hoping James makes a speedy recovery.

The Gibson injury is a blow given how light we are in that position but Smith is due back now.

Re: James Laithwaite : Thu Jul 19, 2018 6:57 am  

I wouldn't mind seeing Pickersgill given a chance in the centre if Gibson is out.

Re: James Laithwaite : Thu Jul 19, 2018 7:13 am  

If two of Gibson, Smith & Oakes were out, surely Liam Johnson would be the next best option? I saw him in the two games I did attend this year and he looked very good. He's played plenty of centre and isn't getting much of a sniff lately, so he would seem the logical option. After that, Josh Rickett coming in with either him or Ryan playing in the centre.

As far as Laithwaite goes, I've seen him play for Warrington and Toronto and that lad is quality. If the Bulls have managed to get him signed up for 2019, even with a bad injury to recover from, it's worth the risk. If he comes back 75% the player he's been before, he'll be a very good player for the club in the Championship or an outstanding one in League 1. If the injury means he's nowhere near the same player, it's only 1 year and he can be released afterwards.

Re: James Laithwaite : Thu Jul 19, 2018 8:09 am  

Glad the club have stuck by him as I feel he's been one of our more consistent performers since his arrival from Toronto. I would like to see Johnson given a run of games to see how he goes.

Re: James Laithwaite : Thu Jul 19, 2018 8:19 am  

dddooommm wrote:

Glad the club have stuck by him as I feel he's been one of our more consistent performers since his arrival from Toronto. I would like to see Johnson given a run of games to see how he goes.

Me too but theres obviously something Kear doesn't trust in him and I am thinking its his defence. I think it was the Donny game Lee Smith went off injured and Johnson moved to the centre, all their joy started coming down his side. That said with ball in hand he is very dangerous and runs very good lines and can sniff a try out. I like him and would like to see a bit mroe of him

Re: James Laithwaite : Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:30 am  

HamsterChops wrote:

As far as Laithwaite goes, I've seen him play for Warrington and Toronto and that lad is quality. If the Bulls have managed to get him signed up for 2019, even with a bad injury to recover from, it's worth the risk. If he comes back 75% the player he's been before, he'll be a very good player for the club in the Championship or an outstanding one in League 1. If the injury means he's nowhere near the same player, it's only 1 year and he can be released afterwards.

Agreed, he would be a quality signing and worth the gamble. Laithwaite/Garside/Minchella is a quality back-row.

[Bullseye]

Re: James Laithwaite : Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:34 am  

Johnson is ok as cover in the centre but his defensive reads aren’t great. Ball in hand he’s a big handful and very decent. He’s more of a second row I think but a very useful player to have around.

Moving Ethan into the centre is a definite option. You could bring in Ryan Butterworth on the wing who’s been going very well indeed for the 19s and reserves.

[Bulliac]

Re: James Laithwaite : Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:52 am  

Ethan has 'good hands', I've always considered he would move to centre eventually. Hopefully not just yet though, I think the "trapeze artist" still has much more to give on the wing!