: Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:07 pm  

St pete wrote:

The answer is no he can't play like he did at Leeds week in week out as he showed against pies.

He went missing for the full 80. At one point I'd forgot he was playing until he put in one of his shocking kicks.

He didn't stand out as much because for the majority of the game he wasn't playing scrum half like he was against Leeds so he was less involved.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:09 pm  

Just to add to the above...

Matty Ashurst went off with an injury and didn't reappear, our back row was depleted and with Eastmond on the bench, he came on in the halves and Wilkin moved to second row.

You 'didn't notice him' because he wasn't orchestrating and pulling the strings attacking-wise and the majority of fans aren't bothered who makes the tackles. He's still averaging nearly 40 tackles a game, and has shown he can slot into one of the most demanding positions in the game, skill-wise, but people STILL moan!

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:15 pm  

(Saint) wrote:

Just to add to the above...

Matty Ashurst went off with an injury and didn't reappear, our back row was depleted and with Eastmond on the bench, he came on in the halves and Wilkin moved to second row.

You 'didn't notice him' because he wasn't orchestrating and pulling the strings attacking-wise and the majority of fans aren't bothered who makes the tackles. He's still averaging nearly 40 tackles a game, and has shown he can slot into one of the most demanding positions in the game, skill-wise, but people STILL moan!

I agree, however, i'm sure that Ashurst came back on? I may be wrong, but i think he did. Wilkin definatly slotted back into the second row though, when Eastmond came on.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:16 pm  

Speaking of ashurst, he looked good with some really good tackles put in

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:20 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

Speaking of ashurst, he looked good with some really good tackles put in

He doesn't look anything special at the minute, but he looks steady, which IMO, is all you can really expect from a youngster at this stage of there career. He seems to be settling in to the first team well.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:23 pm  

saint billy wrote:

He doesn't look anything special at the minute, but he looks steady, which IMO, is all you can really expect from a youngster at this stage of there career. He seems to be settling in to the first team well.

As you say, if he can tackle well, and only turns out to be another mike bennet i'll be more than happy with him

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:28 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

As you say, if he can tackle well, and only turns out to be another mike bennet i'll be more than happy with him

If i'm honest, i was never really a fan of Bennett. I didn't feel he offered enough to the team, yeah he could tackle well but that was all. I feel that a modern day back rower needs to be able to take the ball well and make yards, rather just be a tackling machine. Hopefully Ashurst can do that, but like i said, as a youngster just coming into the first team, you can never except too much, but he's coming and looked steady, and will get better, IMO.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:31 pm  

saint billy wrote:

If i'm honest, i was never really a fan of Bennett. I didn't feel he offered enough to the team, yeah he could tackle well but that was all. I feel that a modern day back rower needs to be able to take the ball well and make yards, rather just be a tackling machine. Hopefully Ashurst can do that, but like i said, as a youngster just coming into the first team, you can never except too much, but he's coming and looked steady, and will get better, IMO.

I know what you mean, but with the salary cap not everyone can be a star, a good solid tackler is a good asset

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:36 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

I know what you mean, but with the salary cap not everyone can be a star, a good solid tackler is a good asset

I understand that we can not have a team full of stars, but i don't think many consider Clough to be a star (just yet), yet he is able to make us yards but also tackle well. I just feel that even our non star player, need to be able to contribute to the attack, as well as the defence.

: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:55 pm  

saint billy wrote: I understand that we can not have a team full of stars, but i don't think many consider Clough to be a star (just yet), yet he is able to make us yards but also tackle well. I just feel that even our non star player, need to be able to contribute to the attack, as well as the defence. Clough is the real deal, England/GB all the way anyone who doesnt thinkso needs to watch him more closely and/or check his stats out http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 more metres per carry than even jammer

saint billy wrote: I understand that we can not have a team full of stars, but i don't think many consider Clough to be a star (just yet), yet he is able to make us yards but also tackle well. I just feel that even our non star player, need to be able to contribute to the attack, as well as the defence. Clough is the real deal, England/GB all the way anyone who doesnt thinkso needs to watch him more closely and/or check his stats out http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 more metres per carry than even jammer