Field and French Conundrum : Tue Jun 27, 2023 11:02 pm  

Been thinking about this for a while and briefly mentioned it on the signings thread but I feel it’s worth discussion.

I will start off by saying we as fans of the game are blessed to be able uk watch these 2 lads do what they do in a Wigan shirt.

I also appreciate the next bit is controversial given what I have said above.

I don’t see either as a top quality half.

I do see both as top quality fullbacks.

The way we play I do not see French as an effective winger. Yes he can get on the end of tries but he isn’t a meter eater robust carrier.

It’s a ridiculous call to make but one I think needs to be made. They are both top class fullbacks. For me though French in the better.

We are in need of a top level 6. Cust hasn’t achieved that.

The balance on the team given our style needs Miski to play a top quality 6 id better than a full back playing there.

It’s a really tough call, and it’s one I’m not sure can be resolved, but it can be Peet Will have pulled off a master stroke.

I personally struggle to see the best of this squad with both in the team and not a 6, so just my thought that we sacrifice Field for that for the balance and success of the team.

Re: Field and French Conundrum : Tue Jun 27, 2023 11:27 pm  

Understand the logic but I just don't think we're at that stage yet. Players like Field and French are rarely seen in SL these days and it would be a hell of a call to release Field in favour of what would likely be a reserve grade NRL halfback. Its loaded with risk and feels like one of those 'grass isn't always greener' scenarios.

I imagine a lot would agree our best attacking lineup is French at 1 and Field at 6. The concern seems to be Field defending in the line. I do find it a little strange that Field's defensive abilities are seen as a weakness yet he is trusted to be our last line of defence at fullback. Also find it strange that hes been written off defending in the halves on the back of one poor game where Nsemba, King and Miski were as much to blame as he was and it was his first game back. But I also think that French has proven in recent weeks that he is a very good defender in the line so it makes sense from that perspective.

My question would be what's wrong with French at 1 and Field at 6 with the ball but French at 6 and Field at 1 without the ball? Convoluted perhaps but not impossible.

Re: Field and French Conundrum : Tue Jun 27, 2023 11:55 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

My question would be what's wrong with French at 1 and Field at 6 with the ball but French at 6 and Field at 1 without the ball? Convoluted perhaps but not impossible.

That for me is the obvious answer but for some reason Peet doesn’t like it.

Playing either or both in the pivot positions though puts a lot of pressure on Smith to organise, which is why I am not a fan of it.

Ideally I’d like to see an organiser at 7 an organising strike half at 6 and a strike runner who can pass at 1.

For me it’s about balance.

I think with 7, 6, 1 regardless of the 6 and 1 they at the moment are too similar and lack balance.

Maybe that’s the idea of bringing in a new 9.

I agree from an entertainment point of view it seems mad to suggest sacrificing one of these wonderful players but I just think unless we learn to solve how to bring balance with both in the team it will hold up back.

Re: Field and French Conundrum : Wed Jun 28, 2023 1:02 am  

Sorry, hadn't seen this thread before I posted on the other so I'll copy and paste it here. Apologies for the duplication.

On the French/Field debate, I'm not sure why we're over complicating it. Field defends best at 1 and French best at 6 so let them do that. In attack, French is best from 1 and Field seems equally adept from either so attack with French 1 and Field 6. Most turnover ball is from kicks or restarts so the positional transition shouldn't be an issue.

Why are we not utilising two of the best players in superleague to make the most of their strengths? It seems ludicrous to me that we appear to not want to play Field at 6 because he's not good defending there. Then don't ask him to!!

He could be as good a running 6 as we have in the competition. Was it Brierly who said he's a nightmare to defend against when running the ball? Here's a bizarre thought then...let's do what the opposition don't want! Alternatively we can keep faffing about chopping and changing and end up nullifying the best attacking threats in the competition. Or even, as Jonh suggests (God forbid), losing one of the best players we've had to watch in decades.

Re: Field and French Conundrum : Wed Jun 28, 2023 1:12 am  

jonh wrote:

That for me is the obvious answer but for some reason Peet doesn’t like it.

Playing either or both in the pivot positions though puts a lot of pressure on Smith to organise, which is why I am not a fan of it.

Ideally I’d like to see an organiser at 7 an organising strike half at 6 and a strike runner who can pass at 1.

For me it’s about balance.

I think with 7, 6, 1 regardless of the 6 and 1 they at the moment are too similar and lack balance.

Maybe that’s the idea of bringing in a new 9.

I agree from an entertainment point of view it seems mad to suggest sacrificing one of these wonderful players but I just think unless we learn to solve how to bring balance with both in the team it will hold up back.

I genuinely don't think he needs to be an organising half at all. In fact I think it often gets in the way when you have 2. It doesn't seem to be affecting Smith in the slightest that he's seen as the sole organiser. Quite the opposite; he seems to thrive on it.

Field needs to be a running half. A genuine attacking threat that scares defences and makes defending a nightmare. He's more than capable of that. He's the quickest man in superleague!

You can have a complimentary full back that can chime in and add the extra pivot, which French is more than capable of doing too. There really shouldn't be a problem and I'm at a loss as to why Peet can't see it.

On the defensive point above: the reason Field isn't a good defensive option in the line is because it depends on strength and he's a slightly built speedster. At fullback he is able to utilise this speed which makes him the best broken field defender in the comp. 2 completely different scenarios that have completely different physical demands. One he's ideal for, the other he isn't.

Re: Field and French Conundrum : Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:07 am  

Field at 6 with French at 1 seems to be most popular and most effective.

Perhaps the reason why MP hasn't used them there is that he's not too happy with the protection they would get at 6 from the current pack. No coincidence to me that the three signings are a complete front row. Rumours now that we may get more forwards in. MP is looking at big but highly mobile forwards who will do long minutes a game.

That's a lot of players incoming and it seems we will have to see quite a number leaving. The trick is to ensure that those leaving are replaced by better calibre players. The three who've been announced do appear to be an improvement on Singleton, Mago and Powell.

Re: Field and French Conundrum : Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:36 am  

The idea of them switching in games isn’t one we should rule out IMO but for now I think we just need to be patient. It’s extremely early days. First jobs first is for French to start running the ball. Until he does that it won’t work.

Re: Field and French Conundrum : Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:18 am  

If you let Field go, he will just move to another SL club and terrorise us for the next 5 years

Re: Field and French Conundrum : Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:21 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

The idea of them switching in games isn’t one we should rule out IMO but for now I think we just need to be patient. It’s extremely early days. First jobs first is for French to start running the ball. Until he does that it won’t work.

True, and I do get the feeling that French could be a very good 6 once he settles. His defence is as good as I've seen short of TL and we know what an elusive runner he is. He also seems to have bags of confidence and a kicking and passing game (when not over used). He hasn't quite got the balance right yet but he's an intelligent player and I'd back him to get there with a run of games.

I still think 'the switch' is the best option though as it makes the best use of both players and opens up so many other opportunities.

Re: Field and French Conundrum : Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:43 am  

If the rumour of us signing a HB is true then this could just be a short term conundrum.

For this season if I’m honest my views on this can and does change on a regular basis. At the moment I’m in the give French the 6 and stick with it for a few matches camp.
I’m sure Peet and his team will be working on “switching” roles during a match. If they can “crack” this we would have a very potent weapon.
Personally I just hope that French can develop his game into a running HB but it is gamble.