: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:10 pm  

mathers still is a good player i remember people on here saying he was a shoe-in international not so many years ago. like others say his confidence is shot, for most of his time there the wigan front up defence has been non existant. imo he was the mom in the 2004 grand final he was outstanding that night along with many others but (from my seat in the gods at ot) he was everywhere and took everything bradford threw at him, i'd hazard a guess that 2 knee reconstuctions haven't done him any favours either in terms of agility and speed (as he was never the quickest anyway).

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:13 pm  

Mathers, Walker, Calderwood, Scruton at the moment

anymore?

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:47 pm  

Stick a fork in Richie Mathers - he's done.

Looked good in a dominant Leeds side, hasn't looked a shadow of that player anywhere else since.

His pace, balance and footwork (or lack of) led to him being a "grabby" tackler with a tendency to go high at the best of times. That hasn't improved from what I saw of him at Wigan last year, and indeed has deteriorated given the injuries he's had.

He'd be competing with Jones-Bishop for third choice full-back when everyone is fit. The only justification I could see for signing him would be if Leeds wanted to use him as cover in the half-backs.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:51 pm  

Tony Ferrino wrote:

Mathers, Walker, Calderwood, Scruton at the moment

anymore?

What are we talking here, ex Leeds Academy still playing elsewhere in SL?

How about:

Garreth Carvell, Danny Ward, Nick Fozzard, Terry Newton, Adrian Morley and Gareth Raynor.

If it's not a personal question does Ewan Dowes get in by the back door?

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:53 pm  

tvoc wrote:

If it's not a personal question does Ewan Dowes get in by the back door?

First pro club, played in the Leeds Academy and made his first grade debut for Leeds.

I'd say he's more entitled to use the front door than Raynor, who only came to the club in his early 20s and never played in the first team IMO.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:54 pm  

King Monkey wrote:

I'd bring him in on a contract that suited us. His confidence is shot at the moment and it wasnt helped by a softcock Wigan pack not doing their job.

The fekwitted Wigan fans didnt seem to notice that last year though.

Who says he has to play full back anyway. He could be used as a utility and is capable of filling in at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

No. He's just shat.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:55 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

I'd say he's more entitled to use the front door than Raynor, who only came to the club in his early 20s and never played in the first team IMO.

I'm pretty sure Raynor played first team. Not much, in fact probably only once, but still.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:57 pm  

King Monkey wrote:

I'm pretty sure Raynor played first team. Not much, in fact probably only once, but still.

I think I remember him scoring against Hull on sky?

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:59 pm  

EmmaMur01 wrote:

Disagree. Think he is very low on confidence, and think he could come in and do a job in the squad for us.

Agree that he seems low on confidence but I can't imagine a situation that would pile more pressure on him than a return to Leeds. Also, I don't see much in his game now that would justify us re-signing him.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:00 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

First pro club, played in the Leeds Academy and made his first grade debut for Leeds.

I'd say he's more entitled to use the front door than Raynor, who only came to the club in his early 20s and never played in the first team IMO.

Ewan Dowes at Leeds:

Played 1 + 10 (Leeds Won 6, Lost 5)

Gareth Raynor at Leeds:

Played 0 + 3 + 1 (NPS) (Leeds Won 4, Lost 0)

Neither registered a point but Raynor had a telling contribution with the boot in a Sky televised game against ?