Re: Tom Lineham : Sun Jun 19, 2016 2:43 pm  

Linehan not even playing for Rochdale today. Any reason why?

[Winslade's Offload]

Re: Tom Lineham : Sun Jun 19, 2016 2:55 pm  

Possibly because they are already fielding Toby King, Joe Philbin and Sam Wilde. Alternatively they might think he is not good enough at the moment, after all they are second in the table and must fancy their chances of promotion.

I see Toby King scored their first try.

Re: Tom Lineham : Sun Jun 19, 2016 7:36 pm  

Whatever Lineham's faults (and he has a fair number), it was pretty clear on Friday that Russell on the wing is not the answer. One of those daft ideas that come up from time to time on here but surprised to see Smith give it the time of day.

Re: Tom Lineham : Sun Jun 19, 2016 7:48 pm  

Agreed. Russell full back, Ratchford centre, Evans wing for me. More creativity at centre plus more metres from Russell from full back. Evans would be solid on the wing and capable of finishing.

Re: Tom Lineham : Sun Jun 19, 2016 8:33 pm  

mark_m wrote:

It is a bonus when a winger can create out of nothing and it can often win games. Chris Hicks in the CCSF against Wigan springs to mind.

What a winger he was in retrospect.

Chris Hicks is the best winger we've ever had in SL. Never mind the semi, what about his 'hat trick final' against Leeds. I've watched that game over and over again and still cannot believe the strength he shows to go over taking half the Leeds defence with him. Truly remarkable.
An awesome athlete.
Like Monaghan only faster.

Pre-SL, too young to see Brian Bevan, but John Bevan was special.

I've been critical of Lineham from fairly early on, but continuing the criticism isn't going to help him or the club or our aim to win the GF or CC.

Lots of criticism of many players after Friday, but Penny for me has to stay on the left wing.
Russell didn't respect the ball in his 'running' and that was frustrating but I think that would have happened regardless of being full back or wing.

I do like the idea of Ratch/Evans on the right though with Russell at f/b.....
If it doesn't work then go back to Friday's set up.

Re: Tom Lineham : Sun Jun 19, 2016 9:23 pm  

I don't see what Evans has done to make anyone think he will be a winger?

Yes he is Defensively sound but thats like saying we should play john.terry up front for England because he is better in.defence than Daniel sturridge!!

Lineham will score given.the opportunities and not just from.kicks provided by gidley n sandow. If the stories are true and we're after Watkins then lineham will have a great partner, Who will be Defensively sound but offer somthing in attack which were missing. Atkins is safe after this season's performance. Can we afford to keep Evans on as cover, I think after this season's performances he will have no problems getting another club.

1. Russel
2. lineham
3. Watkins
4. Atkins
5. Penny
6. Gidley
7 sandow

Is a pretty formidable set of backs who behind a dominant pack should run riot but also have individuals who can break Close games.

Re: Tom Lineham : Sun Jun 19, 2016 9:26 pm  

Matty Russell
Positives....
Great return of ball and runs well from acting half. Both can be utilised off a wing position or fullback.
Negatives...poor last line of defence, seldom makes passes, seldom in a support position in attack, poor under high ball, small height put him at a disadvantage agains tall players unders high ball. All attributes of a fullback.

Russell is best as a winger.

Re: Tom Lineham : Sun Jun 19, 2016 9:29 pm  

radford couldn't wait to get rid of lineham and has been proven right so far. There's a decent player in there somewhere but he needs to start taking his career seriously or he'll be in the championship playing part time in a year or two

Re: Tom Lineham : Sun Jun 19, 2016 9:36 pm  

That's the thing with me, a general lack of effort..possibly in life, sending him to Rochdale didn't seem like a kick, being dropped full stop and he's all "meh", he's naturally gifted but doesn't want to apply himself.

We paid for him, that to me is the most baffling thing.

Re: Tom Lineham : Sun Jun 19, 2016 9:44 pm  

I don't think it's a secret we have always been in pursuit of a Hall type winger.
We had something like with Hicks and Joel. I think we thought Lineham would be the next.