: Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:37 am  

leyther forever wrote:

Oh, and another thing, thought 2300 was a decent effort for a Thursday night televised match but still thought there was more than 500 in the North and South as there were certainly 1800 (half full) in the West.

Maybe the "freebies" were not included - if so - fantastic attendance

There were 17 of us with freebies to the banqueting suite who then made our way onto the stands. We didn't go through the turnstyle and as such is doubtful we were included in the crowd number.

: Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:00 pm  

leighonardo wrote:

Whilst we are on the subject of forwards we are badly lacking some real 'go forward' and I'l probably get slated for this with youth on his side, but for all Mike Morrison's endeavour, can anyone currently name me a weaker prop at this level ?

We need to inject some grunt to lay a platform. What's Sebastian Martins up to these days. Having said that can the real John Cookson please stand up !!

Don't think you give him enough credit TBH. Goes in hard and has a fast PTB due do being agile enough to get back on his feet quickly.
Can see him becoming a very good player over the next couple of years.
IIRC he went 80 yards yesterday - not many props at this level could do that.

And if you want weaker props at this level - I could name 2 from the Leigh team let alone other squads

3 good tries : Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:10 pm  

Regarding Morrison and his 80 yard burst through the middle I think thats the first Leigh forward who has done that against Championship opposition this season and I agee about his quick play the ball.

All the lads need a rest and as we don,t play again till May 4th they will hopefully be better for it.

: Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:15 pm  

ColD wrote:

Don't think you give him enough credit TBH. Goes in hard and has a fast PTB due do being agile enough to get back on his feet quickly.
Can see him becoming a very good player over the next couple of years.
IIRC he went 80 yards yesterday - not many props at this level could do that.

And if you want weaker props at this level - I could name 2 from the Leigh team let alone other squads

Yes possibly so, especially on the quick PTB, and he will undoubtedly improve considerably over time, but Chris Hill could give us most if not all of those attributes for now. I don't wish to single Morrison out but he's a little on the small side and does not currently give us enough go forward IMO. It's something (along with a quality HB) we need to address PDQ

PS I once saw Andy Leatham run 80 yards at Gigg Lane - And score

: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:41 pm  

I missed Morrison out earlier and although a little lightweight he makes up for it with good honest heart and endevour and I personally had no issue with his contribution last night. I agree though that his size does not help. His break though was the best of the match from a Leigh player!!

Haggerty did some neat stuff but size again is not on his size but top marks for attitude and endevour.

Back to Maden, yes he was willing to drive the ball in but how often in the last 18 months has he broke the tackle or run round the opposition? I bet you could count them on one hand. Also, his apparent lack of willingness and urgency to chase back is beginning to do my health no good!

That makes the team for the next match if all fit:

Mort,Smith,Alstead,Rudd,Stanton
Donlan,Watson
Hill,McConnell,Cookson
Armistead,Taylor
Smith

Morrison,Durbin,Haggerty,Marsh or Wingfield

Oh and it wont happen but if it was up to me Hatton would be back from Blackpool and on the bench rather than Durbin or Haggerty dependant on which mood I was but probably instead of Durbin

Reay, Hobson and Maden have to paly in the reserves to find some form.

: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:56 pm  

leyther forever wrote:

Wouldn't of used the word outstanding but more solid and reliable. However, I think it was him who looked out on his feet when a kick through resulted in a try and he never moved to chase.

Mort saved us two definite tries, one when he was up against two attackers. That as a full back is a major asset and was pleasing to see. He always looks dangerously with the ball and his positioning will improve.

Cant believe Maden played again. Was Alstead not available?

Stanton worked his socks off.

Meekin was top drawer for me and IIRC he only missed one tackle when he flew in for the big hit.

Aaron Smith showed glimpses of what we have been missing and will only get better.

Donlan did okay but I feel for the last 5 off the first half and the second half he was carrying a leg injury which somewhat hampered his overall performance.

Hobson, did he do much or did I miss it? Must be replaced by Cookson in the next match.

Thought Reay had a stinker in defence (which I know a few of you have been saying he cant tackle a hot dinner)

Watson did okay but we need slightly more intelligent kicking rather than straight to full backs and wingers.

Hilly was solid but didnt have the same impact as recent weeks.Armistead worked his socks off.

Taylor was below his capabilities.

Jock must ignore Kelly and take them on more as must Durbin.

We have to play the ball quicker than our oponents.

We have to stop giving teams picky backs up the field - and I know Hewer is a useless midget/umpalumpa but he cant be wrong all the time!

Kellys substitution timings again seemed strange and ineffective.

2nd half I was bored to tears until the last 6/7 minutes.

Overall I thought the effort was there but the execution was poor which has to be down to training. Doing the simple things repetitively in training helps things become the norm. Is this happenning?

Entertainment/value for money: 2/10.

I would seriously be happy to lose every week at the moment if I was being entertained.

Over and out!!

Hill - top tackler once again but played out of position out wide and didnt see much ball - poor coaching
JT - big heart but no forward impact
Armistaed - looks unfit, missed at least 4 tackles in the first half alone
Mort - not convinced as yet. Donlan as to be full back, thats why we signed him, again poor coaching
Agree with the rest of your assessment!

: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:58 pm  

We CREATED far more last nite with Donlan @ S/O trouble is he didn't see enough of it, we need to sort out once and for all a No6 no use keep swapping and changing

: Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:29 pm  

BornagainLeyther wrote:

Hill - top tackler once again but played out of position out wide and didnt see much ball - poor coaching
JT - big heart but no forward impact
Armistaed - looks unfit, missed at least 4 tackles in the first half alone
Mort - not convinced as yet. Donlan as to be full back, thats why we signed him, again poor coaching
Agree with the rest of your assessment!

So Hilly did not have the same impact - agreed
Armistead does look a little of the pace but did work his socks off
I have been shouting for Donlan at Full back but we have no answer to 6 as of yet so Mort to continue his apprenticeship at Full Back - saved us 12points all by himself yesterday

Its not often someone agrees with me to the extend you have

: Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:54 pm  

leyther forever wrote:

I missed Morrison out earlier and although a little lightweight he makes up for it with good honest heart and endevour and I personally had no issue with his contribution last night. I agree though that his size does not help. His break though was the best of the match from a Leigh player!!

Haggerty did some neat stuff but size again is not on his size but top marks for attitude and endevour.

Back to Maden, yes he was willing to drive the ball in but how often in the last 18 months has he broke the tackle or run round the opposition? I bet you could count them on one hand. Also, his apparent lack of willingness and urgency to chase back is beginning to do my health no good!

That makes the team for the next match if all fit:

Mort,Smith,Alstead,Rudd,Stanton
Donlan,Watson
Hill,McConnell,Cookson
Armistead,Taylor
Smith

Morrison,Durbin,Haggerty,Marsh or Wingfield

Oh and it wont happen but if it was up to me Hatton would be back from Blackpool and on the bench rather than Durbin or Haggerty dependant on which mood I was but probably instead of Durbin

Reay, Hobson and Maden have to paly in the reserves to find some form.

you said meekin was top drawer for you last nite but yet does not make your team for the next game ?

: Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:19 pm  

BornagainLeyther wrote:

Hill - top tackler once again but played out of position out wide and didnt see much ball - poor coaching
JT - big heart but no forward impact
Armistaed - looks unfit, missed at least 4 tackles in the first half alone
Mort - not convinced as yet. Donlan as to be full back, thats why we signed him, again poor coaching
Agree with the rest of your assessment!

Reckon that could be very good coaching TBH, he could be devastating out wide like Sid used to do in his younger days. Pace and power, not scared of offloading, I prepare to be shot down here but I've always seen him as a second rower