Re: DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings : Sat May 11, 2024 7:09 pm  

Roam Ranger wrote:

I don't think anyone is doubting his commitment giddyup. It's more about whether he's suitable for such a crucial position in the team.

I don't think the Super league is that great right now. Even Darryl Clarke isn't standing out as anything special. He couldn't even make the last World Cup squad.

Cator sharing the role with the two upcoming youngsters will be fine until someone else comes along.

If we improve other areas of the team, then Cator's game will shine, because the team will shine.

It's not really that hard in terms of attack. All you have to do is pass the ball from dummy half, then it's down to your creativity on the edges to bring home the bacon. A hooker does have to defend in the middle though and Cator can do that.

Re: DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings : Sat May 11, 2024 7:15 pm  

giddyupoldfella wrote:

I don't think the Super league is that great right now. Even Darryl Clarke isn't standing out as anything special. He couldn't even make the last World Cup squad.

Cator sharing the role with the two upcoming youngsters will be fine until someone else comes along.

If we improve other areas of the team, then Cator's game will shine, because the team will shine.

It's not really that hard in terms of attack. All you have to do is pass the ball from dummy half, then it's down to your creativity on the edges to bring home the bacon. A hooker does have to defend in the middle though and Cator can do that.

Maybe 20 years ago that was the role of a hooker but in the modern game the teams attack starts from dummy half, a hooker now needs to be decisive, quick out of acting half, a fast passer, in communication with the pivots to call the plays and be solid defensively, unfortunately Cator is only one of those.

Re: DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings : Sat May 11, 2024 7:26 pm  

Yippee try yay wrote:

Maybe 20 years ago that was the role of a hooker but in the modern game the teams attack starts from dummy half, a hooker now needs to be decisive, quick out of acting half, a fast passer, in communication with the pivots to call the plays and be solid defensively, unfortunately Cator is only one of those.

And is that why Mclliorum was the England World Cup hooker in front of the likes of Clarke or Brad Dwyer? Was it for his speed out of dummy half?

Re: DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings : Sat May 11, 2024 7:31 pm  

giddyupoldfella wrote:

And is that why Mclliorum was the England World Cup hooker in front of the likes of Clarke or Brad Dwyer? Was it for his speed out of dummy half?

Mcillorum can still call plays and organise a team from 9 as seen today, I would keep Cator but not in the hooking role, our attack is already poor, we need to be making our attack better, not making it even more blunt, we need a 9 playing 9 not a loose man filling in here and there.

Re: DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings : Sat May 11, 2024 7:34 pm  

If Cator wasn't from Hull, fans wouldn't want to keep him. Da Costa from Catalan is OOC and offers more at 9 than Cator does

Re: DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings : Sat May 11, 2024 7:43 pm  

Yippee try yay wrote:

Mcillorum can still call plays and organise a team from 9 as seen today, I would keep Cator but not in the hooking role, our attack is already poor, we need to be making our attack better, not making it even more blunt, we need a 9 playing 9 not a loose man filling in here and there.

Don't have an illusions that we're gonna be challenging for trophies next year, we've got a long way back to go from where we are right now. I just don't want us to panic buy for the sake of it with players that aren't gonna do us any favours long term.

I don't see anyone out there available at hooker right now that is the answer, but I know Cator won't let us down in the time being until the right person becomes available.

Re: DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings : Sat May 11, 2024 7:47 pm  

giddyupoldfella wrote:

Don't have an illusions that we're gonna be challenging for trophies next year, we've got a long way back to go from where we are right now. I just don't want us to panic buy for the sake of it with players that aren't gonna do us any favours long term.

I don't see anyone out there available at hooker right now that is the answer, but I know Cator won't let us down in the time being until the right person becomes available.

I agree we probably won't do much next year and we shouldn't panic buy but we can't run with someone who isn't a hooker at hooker, I'd rather us go with Smith and Balmforth as our hookers next year with Hodgson backing up than play someone out of position.

Re: DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings : Sat May 11, 2024 8:10 pm  

Yippee try yay wrote:

I agree we probably won't do much next year and we shouldn't panic buy but we can't run with someone who isn't a hooker at hooker, I'd rather us go with Smith and Balmforth as our hookers next year with Hodgson backing up than play someone out of position.

But it's not really out of position. He'd still be defending in the middle which is what he's doing now. And he's played at hooker a fair few times in his career so far. The only thing he'd need to work on is his pass distribution, and that's what training is for. He'll have months of off-season to put the work in on that.

If we get Fash and Ashworth back soon. You might even see Cator doing some hooker this year.

Re: DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings : Sat May 11, 2024 8:27 pm  

So, have I sold Cator as our hooker for next year to anyone?

I knew it was a pretty impossible task when I began. But I'll take some feedback on my salesmanship.

Re: DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings : Sat May 11, 2024 8:59 pm  

Jake the Peg wrote:

Impressive stats from hardaker last night. 10 tackles and 3 misses - wasn't someone claiming he'd shore our defence up? 9 carries for a massive 44 metres. Imagine what he'll be like in 2 years.

At least he's the model professional off the pitch

He’ll be good for the youth. But hey if you have it in for him then those stats will help you. We’ve got him so we best big him up