Worry for the new season ? : Sat Jan 09, 2016 9:57 am  

TS reported in the Guardian to be looking at all the permutations for halfback pairings.

I know personnel have changed, but surely we don't want to be chopping and changing the halves
every game again like last year ?

I think the unsettled, short-term partnerships last year were one of the major factors in the lack of consistency.

The half back pairing is one of the most critical in the game.

Surely TS is going to pick his first choice pair and give them some real chance to form a real partnership ?

Lets hope !!

Re: Worry for the new season ? : Sat Jan 09, 2016 10:19 am  

I think TS is a bit confused as to what is the best position for Gidley.....watching him against Widnes was like watching Hodgson when he was fullback ....a fullback who knew what he was doing unlike some of the stopgaps we have been using for the last couple of years. Also i think it highlights that this year we are a squad even more based on utility players which can be good providing someone in management can provide the organisation on the pitch.

Re: Worry for the new season ? : Sat Jan 09, 2016 12:08 pm  

Chris Sandow will be his 1st choice & the rest ..who knows.

Re: Worry for the new season ? : Sat Jan 09, 2016 12:13 pm  

I'm guessing we will start the season with Gidley & Sandow at 6 & 7 with Johnson at FB.
Then when Ratch is fit, Ratch and Chrissy at 6 & 7, Gidley at FB.

When all fit .....

Gidley
Matty
Rhys
Ryan
Tom
Ratch
Chrissy
Hill
Daryl
Ashton
Hughes
Currie
Super Ben

Westerman
Bailey
Dodds
Brad

We have a lot of able replacements
Cox
Phibin
Ben H (not until July thou)
Laithwaite
Johnson
Ben Evans
Harvey Livett
Sam Wilde
Toby King
George King
Dec Patton
Kev P
Wheeler
Geno

To name a few.

This season we have the squad to really do well.

Re: Worry for the new season ? : Sat Jan 09, 2016 12:22 pm  

Fatbelly wrote:

I'm guessing we will start the season with Gidley & Sandow at 6 & 7 with Johnson at FB.
Then when Ratch is fit, Ratch and Chrissy at 6 & 7, Gidley at FB.

When all fit .....

Gidley
Matty
Rhys
Ryan
Tom
Gidley
Chrissy
Hill
Daryl
Ashton
Hughes
Currie
Super Ben

Westerman
Bailey
Dodds
Brad

We have a lot of able replacements
Cox
Phibin
Ben H (not until July thou)
Laithwaite
Johnson
Ben Evans
Harvey Livett
Sam Wilde
Toby King
George King
Dec Patton
Kev P
Wheeler
Geno

To name a few.

This season we have the squad to really do well.

I wish we did have 2 Gidleys

Re: Worry for the new season ? : Sat Jan 09, 2016 12:37 pm  

Builth Wells Wire wrote:

I wish we did have 2 Gidleys

I know, I have altered my mistake with Gidley at FB & Ratch at 6.

Re: Worry for the new season ? : Sat Jan 09, 2016 1:16 pm  

I think TS believes as does Gidley that full back is his best position leaving the question who is to play six Ratchford when he's fit? Smith could switch them for attack and defence, not for me but when needs must so be it that leaves me thinking we haven't fully sorted out the position as yet, but as stated by rossonwire when ever possible a regular half back combination is needed.

Re: Worry for the new season ? : Sat Jan 09, 2016 10:55 pm  

Think he was talking about the effect of Ratchfords' injury, not an intention to needlessly experiment. The squad numbers give a clear indication of his thinking (I think...).

Re: Worry for the new season ? : Mon Jan 11, 2016 12:08 pm  

For me....I think we would have far more balance with Gidley at 6. Sandow 7, Russell at 1 and Ratch in the centres. This will change as Russell is made of Rich Tea......but....it is great to have so many options. I would however like to see my first option as settled positions.

Re: Worry for the new season ? : Mon Jan 11, 2016 1:03 pm  

I really hope we don't have the merry-go-round of half backs that we saw last year.
Probably Sandow and Ratch (when fit) with Gidley at f/b.
The other option is to swap Ratch and Gidley.
Reasonable to look at Patton etc if we have injuries but we need a settled half back pairing