Re: Team V Leeds : Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:45 pm  

My personal view is that Hardaker may actually be better on the wing than at centre. Great under the high ball, would return kicks strongly and be a more than decent finisher.

I'd be tempted to go:

French
Manfredi
Isa
Bibby
Hardaker

But swap Hardaker and Bibby and I think you have Lam's preferred backline (without Gildart and maybe Marshall).

Re: Team V Leeds : Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:59 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

:lol:

Journeymen forwards? Most of them came through our own academy.

Wigan forwards with more than 15 apps for 3+ clubs - John Bateman, Mitch Clark.

Edit - I've just been surprised to learn that, according to the dictionary, journeyman doesn't mean a player who plays for many clubs. Apparently it actually means 'A worker or sports player who is reliable but not outstanding'. Maybe he has a case after all.

Re: Team V Leeds : Fri Apr 16, 2021 2:15 pm  

I would say that Liam Farrell is better than Bateman

Re: Team V Leeds : Fri Apr 16, 2021 2:57 pm  

I was pleased with last nights game and performance. We are exactly where we need to be at this stage in the season with so many players out.

The only worrying thing for me is hardakers kicking. It is not good and could cost us one day. I don’t care if he’s the best one knocking them over in training, he isn’t doing it when it matters and needs to give someone else a go. There’s been 2 the past 2 weeks that haven’t even made the distance.

Re: Team V Leeds : Fri Apr 16, 2021 4:03 pm  

Grimmy wrote:

Wigan forwards with more than 15 apps for 3+ clubs - John Bateman, Mitch Clark.

Edit - I've just been surprised to learn that, according to the dictionary, journeyman doesn't mean a player who plays for many clubs. Apparently it actually means 'A worker or sports player who is reliable but not outstanding'. Maybe he has a case after all.

Yep that is exactly what I meant.
Guilty as charged m’lud.
Bateman and Farrell aside that is exactly what our pack is. Hopefully young Havard will join that duo.

Having journeymen is not a disparaging remark in fact all good teams need them particularly in a capped sport.
We just have too many for the prop position and to a lesser degree in the second row. We don’t have a loose forward of any description. Powell is decent but just short of being top class.

Our work ethic and discipline for me is the best in the competition but unfortunately for us that usually isn’t enough to win silverware.

I think in defence of Lennigan and Radlinski the unlikely act of Hastings actually triggering his 2nd year option probably derailed any plans in acquiring a new decent prop.
Offsetting that is the fact that the club thought that Clark was good enough and now apparently Clubb is good enough to go around for yet another season.

Re: Team V Leeds : Fri Apr 16, 2021 4:13 pm  

Grimmy wrote:

Wigan forwards with more than 15 apps for 3+ clubs - John Bateman, Mitch Clark.

Edit - I've just been surprised to learn that, according to the dictionary, journeyman doesn't mean a player who plays for many clubs. Apparently it actually means 'A worker or sports player who is reliable but not outstanding'. Maybe he has a case after all.

It does if you're American. I'm not American.

Re: Team V Leeds : Fri Apr 16, 2021 4:28 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

It does if you're American. I'm not American.

I’ve used journeymen for decades to describe decent players but not at the highest standard.
It’s definitely used in boxing parlance.
It’s used differently in soccer. Maybe you’re a soccer fan

Re: Team V Leeds : Fri Apr 16, 2021 4:49 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I don’t buy the Bateman, Isa and Farrell are too small line.[color=#FF0000] I don’t get it at all when anybody says it. A giant making 100 metres a game is 100 metres and if a midget makes 200 metres, its 200 metres. They’re not dominated in defence, they make more ground than their opposite numbers in the vast majority of games and as a three they’ll comfortably be the best in the comp when they’re at 11, 12 and 13. [/color]

I don’t think we need to look for issues that aren’t there. There is one glaring issue and that is the lack of one bruising prop through the middle to use at the start of games. It’s encouraging IMO that what we need is so obvious. A better goal kicker wouldn’t go amiss but ultimately we have one hole in the team when everyone is fit and available. We can get better with the ball in attack but that was going to be naturally clunky to star with, when you’re minus French, Gildart, Manfredi, Marshall etc and are playing forwards in the back spots.

Exactly, I don't care who makes the metres. it doesn't matter

Re: Team V Leeds : Fri Apr 16, 2021 4:55 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

It does if you're American. I'm not American.

Defiantly a British term for a time served tradesman who is good but maybe not the best.

Seems to have become a derogatory term when it’s intention is actually complimentary.

Re: Team V Leeds : Fri Apr 16, 2021 5:04 pm  

jonh wrote:

Defiantly a British term for a time served tradesman who is good but maybe not the best.

Seems to have become a derogatory term when it’s intention is actually complimentary.

Only ever heard it used to describe someone with multiple clubs and little success or in boxing for someone with multiple fights and little success. I have no idea what "soccer" is.

I still don't think our pack is full of journeymen whichever definition we use.