Full-Back : Mon Apr 01, 2019 9:49 am  

Thought it might be worth opening a new thread. As stated on the Keighley topic, Full-Back appears to be a problem for us. Pickersgill looks shot of confidence. Him being hauled off yesterday won't improve that or shows that Kear has faith in him I wasn't convinced by Ryan either, not because of his mistakes which can happen, but our attack looked really stunted yesterday and I thought he struggled to draw the defence in coming into the line. It then takes our best attacking threat away with him being at FB which was noticeable yesterday (think he would have finished one of the long balls over the top had he been on the wing yesterday)

So does Kear stick with Pickersgill and hope he gets his confidence back and starts improving and get Ryan back on the wing. Put Ryan at FB, but lose a massive attacking option on the wing? Or does he take a punt on Stephenson, who is young but a natural FB?

Signing someone is out of the question at the moment with Easter coming up.

[Bulliac]

Re: Full-Back : Mon Apr 01, 2019 10:16 am  

This is a re-building season with few expectations so I see little point in making, what I'd have to describe as a 'panic signing'. We're comfortably mid table and have a few players shortly to come back from injury and we have a few people who can play FB, with Ryan and Pickers probably the two most likely at this stage. Personally, I think Ryan has the attributes to make a good fist of it but he obviously needs time to 'bed in'. I'm far from sure we really have money to spend, in an area where we're admittedly only average but hardly desperate.

[Bullseye]

Re: Full-Back : Mon Apr 01, 2019 10:29 am  

I think we’re kind of stuck with who we have at the moment. None are ideal. I’m told on very good authority that Ethan Ryan much prefers the wing. I also think at the moment it’s in that position that he provides most impact for us. The reason he’s displaced Pickersgill is that apparently Pickersgill isn’t making anywhere near the metres needed in kick returns or having the desired impact in attack. He certainly is having a lull in form.

Ethan had a mare in the 1st half but came back better in the second. I’m not sure he’s the long term option for us though. I think we’ll end up having to bring someone in for 2020.

Re: Full-Back : Mon Apr 01, 2019 10:56 am  

Well, Ryan didn't exactly cover himself in glory at times yesterday, did he?

And, without pulling it off topic, I thought Pickersgill looked poor at HB. So, unless we are really going to be stuck at HB (if Keyes and/or Chisholm don't come back) I don't see him ever playing in the halves again. So he needs to concentrate on making a proper fist at FB.

Who else do we have who could play Full Back? Hitchcox - but he's injured. Or Stephenson who is untried as yet.

[Bullseye]

Re: Full-Back : Mon Apr 01, 2019 11:28 am  

One thing our various fullbacks have yet to master is chiming into the line in attack. 9 times out of 10 they come into the line and run a line that is too sideways. It takes space away from the centre and wing when it is meant to be doing the opposite. It’s such a basic mistake I wonder how it’s been allowed to go on so long. The whole point is to provide an extra man by committing the defender.

[Bulliac]

Re: Full-Back : Mon Apr 01, 2019 12:10 pm  

None of the options is ideal but I'd say most clubs have a position or two where they don't think they've got exactly the right man in situ. How many times, over recent seasons have we not even had a single proper halfback?

If Ethan really doesn't like FB there is little point in persevering with him, though it does depend on his actual reason for preferring wing. I understand that not every player is a Danny Addy, but if it's just because he feels more confident on the wing then that is something which is only to be expected as he's a very accomplished player in that position. However, if he's prepared to stick at it he would probably become just as accomplished and comfortable at the back, simply because he's such a good rugby player. From his personal perspective it looks good on his CV and makes him more valuable to his club too.

[Bullseye]

Re: Full-Back : Mon Apr 01, 2019 12:27 pm  

Losing McNally was a blow, but given the circumstances we had to let him go. I too think Ryan can master fullback but he’s so important to us on the wing I’m not sure we can do without him there. The backup options such as DFJ and Grant aren’t anywhere near as good so we’d lose a lot in attack while he learnt the fullback role.

I think we need Pickersgill to find some form or we give young Stephenson a shot. Once Hitchcox comes back we have another option but that won’t be until the end of August at the earliest.

Re: Full-Back : Mon Apr 01, 2019 12:49 pm  

I think the critisism of Pickersgill is unfair. I think we've got to remember that last year was his breakthrough year only because McNally was injured most of the time. Add to the fact it was a league that hardly has quality running throughout the teams, its easy to see how he doesn't look as good this year.

This is therefore his first proper season and I think he needs time to develop and grow his confidence. Lets face it we aren't getting relegated or promoted so why not use the season to see how he goes. If he's not up to the job by the end of the year then a new FB should be a priority.

I think more concerning is Kears general tactics and team selections. Why is he not being questioned more than he is... he had the biggest budget last year and we scraped into the Championship through the playoffs, this year we again have one of the biggest budgets and should be getting a better tune out of the squad.

The props are playing far too many minutes because he is determined to play only 3 within the squad for some reason and play backrowers as makeshift props. The centre combos are getting flipped around like a pack of cards week in week out so there is no consistency or partnerships being developed and tactics seem to be 5 (ineffective) drives and a kick (or lack of based on the Cougars game).

Kear might be upset with the players but I'm more upset with Kear... i've lost faith in him and think we need a younger hungrier coach at the helm.

Re: Full-Back : Mon Apr 01, 2019 1:19 pm  

bullinenemyland wrote:

I think the critisism of Pickersgill is unfair. I think we've got to remember that last year was his breakthrough year only because McNally was injured most of the time. Add to the fact it was a league that hardly has quality running throughout the teams, its easy to see how he doesn't look as good this year.

This is therefore his first proper season and I think he needs time to develop and grow his confidence. Lets face it we aren't getting relegated or promoted so why not use the season to see how he goes. If he's not up to the job by the end of the year then a new FB should be a priority.

I think more concerning is Kears general tactics and team selections. Why is he not being questioned more than he is... he had the biggest budget last year and we scraped into the Championship through the playoffs, this year we again have one of the biggest budgets and should be getting a better tune out of the squad.

The props are playing far too many minutes because he is determined to play only 3 within the squad for some reason and play backrowers as makeshift props. The centre combos are getting flipped around like a pack of cards week in week out so there is no consistency or partnerships being developed and tactics seem to be 5 (ineffective) drives and a kick (or lack of based on the Cougars game).

Kear might be upset with the players but I'm more upset with Kear... i've lost faith in him and think we need a younger hungrier coach at the helm.

Think that's a bit harsh. I'll give you the L1 stuff etc and we started this year unconvincingly, but I think we've turned a corner since Batley. Also take the first 3 half-backs out of any side and they'd struggle. I expect us to move up the table in the coming weeks. Our next games are against Dewsbury, Halifax, Barrow & Rochdale. I expect a minimum of 3 wins from them 4. All the teams above us seem to be playing each other so we've a real chance to move up the table. If we cock-up and end up only winning half of those, with players oming back from injury then fair enough, questions should be asked.. I take your point about the budget but let's see where we are after Easter when we start getting players back, and the others lose their D/R and loan players.

Re: Full-Back : Mon Apr 01, 2019 1:43 pm  

Wandered a bit off topic here. I would like to see Stephenson get a chance at FB and Ryan return to the wing, where he is our only attacking threat (apart from Flanagan scrabbling over).
As for the comments about Kear, I wondered who would break ranks first. I've been on the brink myself all season, but last week he made some tactical changes that resulted in a good win.
In general though, and yesterday was a prime example, we just offer nothing in attack and must be a very easy team to coach against.
As has been said, the next four matches, whilst all difficult, all offer at least a chance of winning. However if its going to be 5 drives and chuck it anywhere again, then serious questions will start being asked.
Hopefully all will be well. Kear has been a fantastic coach in his time and come what may will be at the Bulls all season, but performances, particularly in attack, need to improve or we have to think of moving in a different direction, long term.