TRB wrote:
In all my day s watching this club, this is the first time we have had a genuinely quick back line. In fact I would put them against any squad in SL - it's just not us.
We have had some good wingers, but we have relied more on strength than pace, with the odd speedster over time.
When we have had them, we have failed miserably to release them. Paul Sampson being a case in point, but you could also pick Andrew Frew and even Jon Wells who scored tries for fun until they came to Wakey. So the challenge this year is to give them those half chances that they can put away. The 2 centres that I think can do that job best are Gibson and Arundel, but I'm hoping that Williams will miss them out on occasion!
Exciting prospect!
As an addition to my original reply.
John Wells was a great winger just ended up in poor side.
Frew and Sampson for my money were pure straight line speed merchants with little else to offer. They were never right for us because to unleash players like that you need classy HB's and classy centres neither of which we had.
TJ and to a lesser degree BJB and hopefully MCB are far more than that. I really don't think a lot of people have woken up to what we have with TJ (and it can stay that way for me). Most of his tries had bugger all to do with his speed (which is top draw). He got them because of his positional sense and his power and agility to take the chances on offer. He won a fair few in the air whilst a number were barge overs and a few were down to great footwork even managed an interception.
He is the complete winger, just needs to refine his game both in attack and defence and he'll be one of the best in the world. There are quicker or stronger or for now maybe smarter wingers in SL but none offer such a complete package especially for one so young.
He has it all which is why he's able to scores 20+ a season at a side like Wakefield. If he were outside a Centre like Gleeson when at Saints TJ would score so many he'd break records every year IMHO. People wet themselves regarding Denny Solomona but would he have scored anywhere near as many with us as TJ did - I doubt it.
With this in mind I don't think we will under use Tom because he won't let that happen - also has the confidence of his teammates which really helps.
I really don't want to put the kiss of death on the lad but sometimes you have to back your judgement. Only three things can derail this lads career - injury which applies to any player - poor career choice so hope he has a good agent - Tom himself. I know I'm biased because I backed him from the start but he's surpassed all my original expectations and I have to say I just look forward to watching him play.
Good thing for hime is that BJB and MCB are great foils as both offer a potent threat in there own right which means defences can't afford to just concentrate on TJ and nullify his game which should stop him becoming frustrated.
Onward and upward!
