[Bullseye]

Kear's Conundrum : Tue Jan 22, 2019 12:25 pm  

On team selection I think we saw what was pretty much Kear's first team vs Batley apart from a couple of possible areas. His main conundrums for me are as follows.

Who does he pick in the centres? Webster is the big name and had looked decent - he seems to be the choice to be paired with Ryan but where does this leave Ross Oakes who always plays on the left and has looked sharper than ever this pre season? On the right I'd say Evans is first choice now that Gibson is injured.

Halfback. I think Lilley has probably got himself a starting spot but the other is between Keyes, who's had a few back problems and Chisholm who was a bit off the pace versus Hudders. I think Milnes will be backup after he got subbed on Sunday.

Second row - Who plays alongside Minchella? Storton or Farrell?

Re: Kear's Conundrum : Tue Jan 22, 2019 12:37 pm  

As you say a few nice headaches for him. The biggest decision as you say for me is Oakes. Had a very impressive pre season and back to the player we were all delighted resigned upon relegation

[Bullseye]

Re: Kear's Conundrum : Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:01 pm  

Oakes is like a different player compared with this time last year. Seems much sharper. Centre is a really difficult position defensively and he was a bit at sea a year ago. Not now. He’s got great hands and is a real winger’s centre. Good to know that if Webster isn’t up to it for whatever reason he can come straight in.

Re: Kear's Conundrum : Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:34 pm  

Off pace but was involved in all our points against hudd and probs the best kicker tactically we have

[Bullseye]

Re: Kear's Conundrum : Tue Jan 22, 2019 2:30 pm  

I think Chisholm needs another game to get back into the swing. I’ve a feeling he’ll play this weekend. In some ways he was unfortunate to get picked for the Huddersfield game rather than the YC games as he was in a weaker side and played a SL side. As a half you don’t get much chance to shine if the side is going backwards. He may have been involved in all our points but then we didn't score that many.

I agree his kicking, especially to Ryan’s wing is very important. He showed signs at the back end of the season that he was coming back to what he was capable of. However I was impressed with how Keyes and Lilley combined versus Halifax. Kear seems to be very keen on players that stick to the gameplan and don’t go too maverick so it’ll be interesting to see how Chisholm can reign in his more adventurous side. He can do it – like he showed against Oldham in the play offs. He was disciplined and then found the space he needed later on when the opposition tired. That could be key against better teams with us being down to 8 subs. But not if he goes awol in defence or runs down blind alleys in attack.

[Bulliac]

Re: Kear's Conundrum : Tue Jan 22, 2019 3:16 pm  

Think kear will be delighted with his 'conundrum', to be honest. Coach's dream!

Re: Kear's Conundrum : Tue Jan 22, 2019 4:23 pm  

I did see on Chisholm’s Twitter that he felt he was finally back to his physical best following his injury during pre-season. So hopefully he’s good to good come the game against Fev

Re: Kear's Conundrum : Tue Jan 22, 2019 5:23 pm  

Right centre will be shared for you, Evans will miss 50% min

Re: Kear's Conundrum : Tue Jan 22, 2019 6:57 pm  

There is also last years tactic of playing Lilley off the bench as a dummmy half to consider.
Not my favourite option to be honest buy JK seemd to like it at the back end if last year

Centres, halves, 1 second row, and 2 bench spots seem up for grabs to me.

Great position to be in. Wasnt too long ago we were playing centres on the wing, full backs and hookers in the halves, loose forwards at hooker, stand offs at full back.
I know we are a long way of where we were but i think its the most balanced squad we have had in years

Re: Kear's Conundrum : Tue Jan 22, 2019 8:07 pm  

RagingBull wrote:

There is also last years tactic of playing Lilley off the bench as a dummmy half to consider.
Not my favourite option to be honest buy JK seemd to like it at the back end if last year

Any danger of Wildie dropping to SH when Flannagan comes on?