Mark Percival : Fri Aug 14, 2015 10:28 pm  

Just to claw a shred of optimism from that car crash, what a talent that lad is.

Surely has to be knocking on the door for England on this seasons form. Percival and Watkins would be an exciting centre partnership going forward and both defend well.

Re: Mark Percival : Fri Aug 14, 2015 10:55 pm  

He's class. Stood out like a beacon tonight.

Re: Mark Percival : Fri Aug 14, 2015 11:28 pm  

Think he shouldn't get in behind Watkins and Reed this year, but I'd be amazed if he isn't playing for England in a year or two. Needs a bit more size IMO, not so much that he'd lose his agility but often he'll get pulled down when if he was a bit bigger/stronger he'd have made a clean break. He was fantastic tonight though, and one thing the last few weeks have really highlighted are how good Percival and Makinson will look when Percy has a winger with a bit of pace and Makinson has a centre who can set him up.

Re: Mark Percival : Fri Aug 14, 2015 11:38 pm  

Couldn't agree more. He was our man of the match by streets tonight. Utter class act.

A real bright light in the wreckage.

Re: Mark Percival : Fri Aug 14, 2015 11:59 pm  

Saint #1 wrote:

Think he shouldn't get in behind Watkins and Reed this year, but I'd be amazed if he isn't playing for England in a year or two. Needs a bit more size IMO, not so much that he'd lose his agility but often he'll get pulled down when if he was a bit bigger/stronger he'd have made a clean break. He was fantastic tonight though, and one thing the last few weeks have really highlighted are how good Percival and Makinson will look when Percy has a winger with a bit of pace and Makinson has a centre who can set him up.

I'm not sure he does need more size because his technique is outstanding. Its common to look at a slight build rugby player and generically say he needs to be bigger, but look at how he man handled Minichello on a number of occasions tonight.

Re: Mark Percival : Sat Aug 15, 2015 12:22 am  

BackrowSaint wrote:

I'm not sure he does need more size because his technique is outstanding. Its common to look at a slight build rugby player and generically say he needs to be bigger, but look at how he man handled Minichello on a number of occasions tonight.

I don't mean in terms of defence, I completely agree with you there. But if he can add say half a stone of muscle without losing his pace, which should be possible with the right S&C given he's still young, he's not only capable of finding half gaps with his footwork and speed but also making clean breaks.

Watkins is a good illustration of what I mean. Always had the agility and the speed, but in the last year or two has added a bit of size and strength to go with it. He's now top for tackle busts and clean breaks in Super League and a guaranteed starter for England, because not only can he wrong foot a defender but he can go straight through an ineffective tackle too.

Re: Mark Percival : Sat Aug 15, 2015 5:53 am  

BackrowSaint wrote:

Just to claw a shred of optimism from that car crash, what a talent that lad is.

Surely has to be knocking on the door for England on this seasons form. Percival and Watkins would be an exciting centre partnership going forward and both defend well.

Percy has everything to be world class. He has speed, footwork, brains (not off the field. He's thick), strength and his attitude is top class.

I've always rated him as a kid and he's took that into first grade. I don't think he's ahead of Watkins, reed and maybe Shenton yet but he's not far off and if he continues then he's Defo be a england player in 2016.

Re: Mark Percival : Sat Aug 15, 2015 9:46 am  

Looks as though he is toughening up a bit this season, teams have been attacking the right side edge of late and he has handled it well with the occasional game where he's missed a few tackles. It just shows how good he could be in attack because he's actually been getting poor quality ball from our halves.
Walmsley, Roby and Percival are the only ones not effected by the team lack lustre performance at the moment.

Re: Mark Percival : Sat Aug 15, 2015 2:25 pm  

The lad is quality and a partnership with Makinson would be something that can be developed over the years to come. I agree with the above and if he can build upon his strength he could be as dangerous as Watkins.

What is concerning is that the ball isn't in his hands nearly enough.

Re: Mark Percival : Sat Aug 15, 2015 2:30 pm  

Albion wrote:

The lad is quality and a partnership with Makinson would be something that can be developed over the years to come. I agree with the above and if he can build upon his strength he could be as dangerous as Watkins.

What is concerning is that the ball isn't in his hands nearly enough.

I sometimes wonder whether he could shine at stand off.