Re: FIELD : Fri Aug 02, 2024 3:18 pm  

nikos wrote:

Eckersley looks class and has pace to burn, I'd certainly be playing him in the centre and trying Keighran at 6. We really are blessed at centre at the moment.

Peet seems intent on sticking with Hampshire though (Rocky must have some dirt on him!) despite a very poor first half, knocking on a few times, missing a couple of tackles and jumping the line

I don't think he'll be afraid to drop him if needed. He's been playing an 18 year old kid over him in the halves for weeks now and coming up with every combination possible not to play him. I'd give him the first half of the Leigh game and see how he goes but revert to what you say if it's not working. In fairness to Peet, I think he wanted Eckersley held back last night to give Field that time off at fullback, so there's no saying he doesn't fancy Keighran at stand off anyway. He's shaping up nicely Eckersley though and longer term, I think he can really press for a starting spot. I doubt he'd have any issues with playing on the wing, so both Miski and Keighran could come under threat at some point. There will likely come a time when Peet will need to make a brave call (probably next season though).

Re: FIELD : Fri Aug 02, 2024 3:42 pm  

Interesting that Jon Wells on commentary last night described Eckersley as being quick but "not got the out and out pace of a Jai Field or a Bevan French" I'm not sure this is true. Zach has a background in athletics and was running 11.3 for the 100m at the age of 15 which is some serious wheels. I think he may well be putting pressure on Miski or Keighran soon in a bid to have him on the field every week as a backline with Bevan, Field, Marshall and Wardle plus Zach would be one of the quickest in the club's history

Re: FIELD : Fri Aug 02, 2024 4:43 pm  

Dai Jones wrote:

Interesting that Jon Wells on commentary last night described Eckersley as being quick but "not got the out and out pace of a Jai Field or a Bevan French" I'm not sure this is true. Zach has a background in athletics and was running 11.3 for the 100m at the age of 15 which is some serious wheels. I think he may well be putting pressure on Miski or Keighran soon in a bid to have him on the field every week as a backline with Bevan, Field, Marshall and Wardle plus Zach would be one of the quickest in the club's history

I reckon he'd beat French pretty easily over 100m but probably not over 10m. He reminds me of Rads in pace terms (and being ginger). I think he'd give Field a run for his money currently over 100m but Field does look like he's not at top speed with a few niggles. Over this next 12 months I expect him to really push Miski and Keighran hard for a spot. I think Miski in particular could be vulnerable because pace is so important and he isn't the quickest winger in the world. It's if you could afford to lose his work from our own end that'll be the question. If Eckersley can show that sort of commitment to taking the hard carries, I think he's got every chance of pushing ahead in the pecking order.

Re: FIELD : Tue Aug 06, 2024 11:23 am  

Dai Jones wrote:

Interesting that Jon Wells on commentary last night described Eckersley as being quick but "not got the out and out pace of a Jai Field or a Bevan French" I'm not sure this is true. Zach has a background in athletics and was running 11.3 for the 100m at the age of 15 which is some serious wheels. I think he may well be putting pressure on Miski or Keighran soon in a bid to have him on the field every week as a backline with Bevan, Field, Marshall and Wardle plus Zach would be one of the quickest in the club's history

That is absolutely rapid. We've seen enough of him already to see that he has proper express pace. The thing which makes French & Field so different to other players how they combine their unbelievable pace with their agility, balance and speed of thought. They're the areas where Zach will need to improve to get to their level but that's obviously no slight on him at such a young age!

Re: FIELD : Tue Aug 06, 2024 2:14 pm  

FB site saying Field’s done his knee in training, no idea if genuine

Re: FIELD : Tue Aug 06, 2024 3:23 pm  

apollosghost wrote:

FB site saying Field’s done his knee in training, no idea if genuine

I've read some people saying he has done his knee in training and is out for a month and others saying that he isn't playing tonight but not due to injury. Those latter people are saying it's because they're looking after him on his road back from the hamstring injury and with games in such close proximity they didn't want to risk him and that he will return against Leeds on Saturday.

I hope it's the latter but after the French rumour proved true, who knows?

EDIT - Also, based on the noises the club have made, we haven't really trained much at all between Thursday and tonight so I guess that would reduce the likelihood of him getting injured.

Re: FIELD : Tue Aug 06, 2024 4:32 pm  

Th'Observer wrote:

I've read some people saying he has done his knee in training and is out for a month and others saying that he isn't playing tonight but not due to injury. Those latter people are saying it's because they're looking after him on his road back from the hamstring injury and with games in such close proximity they didn't want to risk him and that he will return against Leeds on Saturday.

I hope it's the latter but after the French rumour proved true, who knows?

EDIT - Also, based on the noises the club have made, we haven't really trained much at all between Thursday and tonight so I guess that would reduce the likelihood of him getting injured.

IF it's true we're in trouble ! Shows how wrong I was

Re: FIELD : Tue Aug 06, 2024 5:32 pm  

Even if there is no new injury, it makes perfect sense for him to sit out the game tonight.

Re: FIELD : Tue Aug 06, 2024 5:37 pm  

Matt Shaw has confirmed it’s not a new injury and he’ll be back against Leeds.

Re: FIELD : Tue Aug 06, 2024 9:42 pm  

NSW wrote:

Matt Shaw has confirmed it’s not a new injury and he’ll be back against Leeds.

If he does play on Saturday then the coaching team have played a blinder, to cooly rest him tonight and come away with a big win....nice