Re: Ratchford : Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:23 am  

The MEN does say it looks like he is off, but also says a replacement in Daniel Mortimer is being lined up.
I would hate to see Stef go but I totally blame past management for this situation.
Good luck to him whatever he does decide to do.

Re: Ratchford : Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:43 am  

At present what a club our size can offer players (both financially and potential playing success) is not enough to keep our best young talent. So if Stef goes then sadly we lose a potential superstar but its where we are right now. A rugby career is short and can end in an instant thanks to one bad tackle or injury so i have no problem with players moving to better themselves. Our move to Barton must kick-start an age of prosperity and put us in a position where we can be a club that not only keeps talent but also attracts good players. That is the challange of all of us..The board,the coach the players and the fans. We all want the same thing so players who may be thinking of leaving can go..however big they may or may not be or become. Stef has all the talent he needs to be a star of either code..but he is no use to us if he does not want to be here. I would rather keep him of course but if we cant match his needs or ambitions then its right he leaves, As PHOTO FINISH rightly says no one player should be bigger than the whole picture.

Re: Ratchford : Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:43 am  

Herald Sun-Daniel Mortimer The Daily Telegraph understands Mortimer's manager, Steve Gillis, has already made preliminary contact with new Salford coach Matt Parish. British sources last night revealed Parish - who is in the market for a new playmaking utility - had been offered Mortimer's services this week. We don't know the full facts , it does look like Ratchford has played his last game for he reds. going in for a 'clean up op on his knee ' with still five rounds to go . So yet another talent heads for the exit thinking the grass is greener

Herald Sun-Daniel Mortimer The Daily Telegraph understands Mortimer's manager, Steve Gillis, has already made preliminary contact with new Salford coach Matt Parish. British sources last night revealed Parish - who is in the market for a new playmaking utility - had been offered Mortimer's services this week. We don't know the full facts , it does look like Ratchford has played his last game for he reds. going in for a 'clean up op on his knee ' with still five rounds to go . So yet another talent heads for the exit thinking the grass is greener

Re: Ratchford : Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:24 am  

Prestwich Red wrote:

I would hate to see Stef go but I totally blame past management for this situation.
Good luck to him whatever he does decide to do.

totally agree with you, why didnt we attempt to get him to sign a new contract last year just incase this situation came about ?????????

Re: Ratchford : Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:49 am  

Got to agree with Early Bath. McRae mucked Ratchford about way too much when he was here; not playing him, playing him out of position, not letting him play his natural game. If Ratchford was playing week in week out in the halves (like he should be) then I reckon he'd definately be here next season.
Like Photo Finish said and like we have done in the past, we will move on. We've sill got Sneyd and I've been quite impressed with Nial Evalds in the academy.

Re: Ratchford : Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:00 am  

Leagueweekly reports it differently:
It suggests that Ratchford may stay but is keeping quiet whilst he is making up his mind. it further states that Daniel Mortimer has been in contact with our coach.

However it further states that Mr Mortimer is unable to secure a first team place "under coach Stephen Kearney, who has preferred make-shift halves to cover for injuries rather than plump for the specialist half-back".

I would like more details on this matter.

Re: Ratchford : Mon Jul 25, 2011 12:41 pm  

You can't just play a player in his favourite position to keep him happy.
Sorry ,guys,but Steff didn't look the part at stand off.He played centre and looked tremendous.
Can't blame Shaun for that decision.

Re: Ratchford : Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:00 pm  

Hillbilly_Red wrote:

Leagueweekly reports it differently:
It suggests that Ratchford may stay but is keeping quiet whilst he is making up his mind. it further states that Daniel Mortimer has been in contact with our coach.

However it further states that Mr Mortimer is unable to secure a first team place "under coach Stephen Kearney, who has preferred make-shift halves to cover for injuries rather than plump for the specialist half-back".

I would like more details on this matter.

was something in the Herald (Brisbane) newspaper. In fact, sounds like that is the same text as League Weekly

Re: Ratchford : Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:01 pm  

Looks like Ratch has gone, which is a shame. However, at the end of the day you can't really blame him when Warrington or Wigan come knocking. We just have to make sure that we develop as a Team over the next three years and a move becomes less tempting.

In the short term, his leaving could actually be a blessing. Entertaining though Stef is, he's not the best of Centres and the offer we would have made to him could well buy us a more effective replacement. I think that MP will stick with Holdsworth and Smith as halves and use our limited resources for a Centre and a Prop.

Good Luck Stef and ONWARDS AND UPWARDS THE REDS!

Re: Ratchford : Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:03 pm  

We talk about limited resources but with the new ground we will be able to cheat like Warrington and wigan et al when it comes to the salary cap with all our new funding streams.