Re: 2021 Squad & Balance : Sat Jul 04, 2020 1:27 pm  

jonh wrote:

Let’s not ignore Locky.

Wonderful ball playing 13.

2 or 3 years ago but not now, He needs to retire for the good of the team

Re: 2021 Squad & Balance : Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:59 pm  

jonh wrote:

I don’t personally see French as a half option and I don’t believe he has ever played there at top level.

He could do a job I guess but I’d be very reluctant to play him there.

French is no different to players like David Bolton, Sean Edwards, Henry Paul etc who could all play at both Full Back and Stand off without any problem.

Re: 2021 Squad & Balance : Sat Jul 04, 2020 11:05 pm  

Ruddy Duck wrote:

French is no different to players like David Bolton, Sean Edwards, Henry Paul etc who could all play at both Full Back and Stand off without any problem.

Only difference is French is not a stand off. All the others you name where.

Re: 2021 Squad & Balance : Sat Jul 04, 2020 11:12 pm  

Pieman wrote:

would defo keep Budgie though for depth alone

Would you keep him at the expense of strengthening the squad in other areas? Thats not aimed at Joe its just a business decision and one the club may have been faced with. Would you have kept him IF he was asking for mega money? Not saying he was just asking IF.

Re: 2021 Squad & Balance : Sat Jul 04, 2020 11:14 pm  

jonh wrote:

I don’t personally see French as a half option and I don’t believe he has ever played there at top level.

He could do a job I guess but I’d be very reluctant to play him there.

100% correct

Re: 2021 Squad & Balance : Sun Jul 05, 2020 7:37 am  

JonnyBroad wrote:

Would you keep him at the expense of strengthening the squad in other areas? Thats not aimed at Joe its just a business decision and one the club may have been faced with. Would you have kept him IF he was asking for mega money? Not saying he was just asking IF.

Yes as I feel if we got rid we would need to bring in a winger

Re: 2021 Squad & Balance : Sun Jul 05, 2020 8:36 am  

Ruddy Duck wrote:

French is no different to players like David Bolton, Sean Edwards, Henry Paul etc who could all play at both Full Back and Stand off without any problem.

French is no different in that he has 2 arms and 2 legs.

That is generally where the similarities end.

Any player can play in any position if you think about it but you have to consider 2 key points.

1. Would moving him there significantly reduce his impact on a game and diminish his strengths.

2. Would moving him there be of benefit to a team expected to challenge for honours?

To play 6 you are no longer the traditional second receiver. You have to be in the action at first man controlling the game. That isn’t French.

French is a strike player and an outside back. He isn’t a 6.

The lads you mention were all natural 6’s who could do a job at 1 in some cases very well.

French is a natural 1 who could also do very well on the wing.

Bolton, Paul and Edwards would struggle on the wing because they are natural halves.

Very different players.

Re: 2021 Squad & Balance : Sun Jul 05, 2020 11:41 am  

Playing 6 isn't exactly rocket science especially if you have a decent 7 foil. French is talented enough to learn the role and do very well there. The main responsibilities of which are:
- Organising/calling plays on the (usually left) edge in defence and attack
- Quick-thinking with ball in hand
- Strong running game with some pace
- Decent kicking game (often offset by a stronger kicker at 7)

The way we play, the brains of the team and most plays are done by the 9, 13 and 1.

There are different versions of the modern-day 6 and the role is constantly evolving. Lomax, Gale, Kelly, Maloney all play different styles.

If we're honest, half backs have maybe 5-10 pivotal plays in games. The rest of the time they are playing simple passes to a SR, Centre or just placing an attacking/clearing kick.

Re: 2021 Squad & Balance : Sun Jul 05, 2020 11:49 am  

Hes a fullback or winger

Re: 2021 Squad & Balance : Sun Jul 05, 2020 4:43 pm  

Round pegs, square holes comes to mind!