Re: When Wrench returns... : Wed May 10, 2023 8:18 pm  

Didn't Ratch play as a halfback in the past? At stand off of I recall? I wonder could he pair up with Williams in the halves if Drinkwater was dropped and Wrench came into the centres.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Wed May 10, 2023 9:17 pm  

matt_wire wrote:

Didn't Ratch play as a halfback in the past? At stand off of I recall? I wonder could he pair up with Williams in the halves if Drinkwater was dropped and Wrench came into the centres.

Of all the positions Ratchford has played, I always thought stand off was his worst. He was always too slow of thought for me, at full back he had a bit more space.

Drinkwater’s doing ok, not great, but he won’t be on anywhere near the salary of Williams, his job is to do the basics.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Wed May 10, 2023 9:42 pm  

Peanut is the weak link for me - he should be the one making way for Wrench, even if that means Ratch changes sides.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Thu May 11, 2023 8:51 am  

Crosswire wrote:

Peanut is the weak link for me - he should be the one making way for Wrench, even if that means Ratch changes sides.

I’m not sure HKR would be willing to accommodate Ratchford.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Thu May 11, 2023 11:10 am  

Didn't Tony Smith sign Stef as a utility player. I remember a few years ago talking to a relative of Stef's who said Ratch had become a fullback at the request of TS. As far as i am concerned he is still the best fullback at the club & maybe any shuffling could see Dufty have a go at stand off if necessary.

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: When Wrench returns... : Thu May 11, 2023 11:40 am  

ninearches wrote:

Didn't Tony Smith sign Stef as a utility player. I remember a few years ago talking to a relative of Stef's who said Ratch had become a fullback at the request of TS. As far as i am concerned he is still the best fullback at the club & maybe any shuffling could see Dufty have a go at stand off if necessary.

ratch was a stand off/centre at salford, when he came here the plan was to convert him to fb to replace hodgo, he never ever got to the same level, or could put out the same passes, even in 2018/19 price was talking about him learning joining the line/cut out pass to the winger.

i hate the shuffling, it just reeks of poor recruitment or knee jerking.

you move dufty to stand off, we're back where we were with williams and another 6, just like we had williams and widdop and williams and austin, austin and widdop, and then widdop got shoved to fb cos he was ineffective at halfback.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Thu May 11, 2023 4:55 pm  

I think Powell knows his best team. So the idea of shuffling the back line is coming from fans who would like to see a few changes & improvements but don't have to be responsible. Powell sees the boys every day in countless practice situations & knows his players strengths & weaknesses. I have doubts that you'll see much shuffling ... unless we get injuries. As for Wrench ... steady as she goes.

Re: When Wrench returns... : Fri May 12, 2023 7:17 am  

Smiffy27 wrote:

I think Powell knows his best team. So the idea of shuffling the back line is coming from fans who would like to see a few changes & improvements but don't have to be responsible. Powell sees the boys every day in countless practice situations & knows his players strengths & weaknesses. I have doubts that you'll see much shuffling ... unless we get injuries. As for Wrench ... steady as she goes.

Think this is right.

Does anyone remember the game where, short of options, we decided Ian Knott was the answer to our halfback woes? His first three kicks were beautifully struck, long distance spirals.. all straight out on the full.

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: When Wrench returns... : Fri May 12, 2023 7:42 am  

just_browny wrote:

Think this is right.

Does anyone remember the game where, short of options, we decided Ian Knott was the answer to our halfback woes? His first three kicks were beautifully struck, long distance spirals.. all straight out on the full.

that was the infamous nikau bbq game

Re: When Wrench returns... : Fri May 12, 2023 8:09 am  

There's a chance Wrench never reaches his potential and even if he does, it may take him a long time to get back to speed.

Some players (Ben Currie) never get back to their best after an ACL. He needs to be given time and patience to get back to playing RL first of all. I don't think we should be expecting too much.